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 |  | Medium: $15-$50 |  | High: $100+ |
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There are many sources for free or low-cost rabbits, so the biggest cost variable other than breed in keeping one as a pet is its upkeep. Anyone thinking of a rabbit as a springtime surprise should multiply by about 10 since the average lifespan of a rabbit is 7-12 years.
Typical costs: | - Among the many distinct breeds of rabbits, common pets include Lops (droopy-eared bunnies) that cost $15-$60, Dwarfs (weighing only 1-3 pounds) priced $25-$40 and Mini Rex (gentle and intelligent creatures with alert pointy ears) for $10-$50. The higher prices tend to be for animals with distinct markings or unusual colors.
- More unusual rabbits include Angoras, known for soft fur which can require daily grooming, which run $25-$50; Flemish Giants[1] for $45-$100, and Lionheads for $20-$50.
- Cages have removable trays for litter cleaning and are priced around $35 for a small 25x16x9-inch unit, up to about $120 for a 42-inch one with wheels. Cages should be long enough so that the rabbit can stretch three lengths and tall enough so he can stand on hind legs, according to KindPlanet.org. The basic rule is the more time spent in the cage, the larger it should be.
- Hutches[2] stand on four legs and allow the droppings to fall to the ground. A 3-foot wide hutch costs around $100, a 4-foot one, $110-$160.
- House rabbits require bedding for a safe enclosed hideaway which could mean a cage with a synthetic sheepskin rug in one corner for about $10. A litter box runs $3-$10 and litter (made of recycled paper pellets) costs around $9 per bag. Rabbits are curious and love to chew, so a home needs to be bunny-proofed by keeping electrical cords up or hidden, according to Rabbit.org[3] .
Related articles: Hamster, Guinea Pig
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What should be included: | - Purebred rabbits should come with a pedigree listing their breeder and parentage. Some sellers will include a health certificate.
Additional costs: | - Rabbit digestive systems need continuous access to food which runs about $5 per 3-pound bag of pellets. Rabbits eat about one ounce of feed for every pound of body weight, so a 5-pound pet will consume about 9 pounds per month, or $15 worth of pellets. Rabbits like to investigate everything, so a water bottle costing $3-$6 mounted on the cage or hutch wall fares better than a dish that can be tipped over.
- Rabbits shed continually. A regular brushing helps collect some of the loose hair and helps prevent hairballs. Many rabbits enjoy the grooming time. Brushes cost $4-$8, nail clippers under $10 and shampoos around $4.
- Spaying or neutering ranges from $50 to $150.
- Carriers for veterinary trips and outings run $18-$30. Harnesses for walking outside, $3-$6.
Discounts: | - There are many different rabbit rescue organizations found all over the country that offer spayed or neutered bunnies for adoption for $45-$65, which includes a health certificate.
- Breeders may offer common rabbits starting at $5. Check the local classified ads for rabbits and cages being given away for free or at a low cost.
Shopping for a rabbit: | - The House Rabbit Society offers a state-by-state listing of adoptable rabbits[4] .
- Animal Network.com offers a Critter Library[5] that explains what to expect when buying from a pet shop, breeder or rescue center.
- The American Rabbit Breeders' Association has an online listing of chartered clubs by state, which either sell bunnies, or can direct you to a breeder who does. Local 4H Clubs also raise and sell rabbits. 4HUSA.org offers an online listing of clubs by state.
- Petland carries bunnies at several store locations. Call ahead to find out whether they carry rabbits and if so, which breeds.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: Cindy Sanchez in West Valley City, UT. | Posted: June 4th, 2020 01:06PM |
| Type: several | Store: NO! Adopted! |
I have 7 bunnies. I have had a total of 11. The cost of the actual bunny is very small but the feeding and medical expenses are extremely high and they are NOT a starter pet. Bunnies digestive systems are VERy sensitive as well as the bunny itself. I have paid over $2000 for dental surgery on my first bunny only to have to send her to the RBB 2 weeks later because she had such bad arthritis in her front paws, no pain medicine or anything else had kept her comfortable. This is with all bunnies. Please think twice about having one and if you do, know their habits and the proper diet for them so they don't end up sick and or suffering. |
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| Posted by: Aaron Alcorn in Little Elm, TX. | Posted: March 6th, 2019 12:03PM |
| Type: Netherland Dwarf | Store: |
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| Posted by: Brooke Miller in Buffalo, NY. | Posted: March 5th, 2017 06:03PM |
| Type: Netherland Dwarf | Store: Pets Plus |
Darlene, I see you're comment about neutering is from 2014 I'm wondering if you had any luck finding a place. I too am in Buffalo NY. |
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| Posted by: Clarissa Stair in HEBER SPRINGS, AR. | Posted: April 21st, 2016 08:04PM |
| Type: Persian rabbit | Store: Friend from subway! Gave to good home! |
Doug is our female rabbit we got for free she's a great pet and she eats a lot! She just had a litter of 6! The babies are trying to wean ! They are eating food to,it costs about $20.00 a month to feed them pelets and lettuce! Connor and Clarissa Stair of Heber springs Arkansas own her! Great pet! |
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| Posted by: Darlene in Warsaw, NY. | Posted: October 14th, 2014 07:10PM |
| Type: mini lop | Store: breeder |
I am looking for someone who can refer me to a vet to spay my rabbit for a reasonable cost, when I see some spaying for $60.00 the see some for $260.00 I begin to wonder, I was quoted "around" $250.00 - $300.00 to spay my Jersey Woolie who weighs a massive 2.8lbs.. that's crazy..I am in the Buffalo, NY area, if anyone can advise would be great.. |
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| Posted by: shawnna Stone in PASO ROBLES, CA. | Posted: March 14th, 2014 07:03PM |
| Type: purebred netherland dwarf & dwarf cross | Store: Cal Poly SLO & free Craigslist |
The dwarf cross, Sunday(male, neutered) was a CL freebie. Womans cat brought 2 approx 3-4 wk old babies, dont know where mother was. He was soooo tiny, dehydrated, & a bit cold. Took him home, & the first month we had him, he slept inside my shirt & our bed! That was 2 yrs ago. The purebred, Mazy Dukes(female), was $10 from a Cal Poly students project. She wasnt perfect, but she is to us! Shes 1 yr now. I buy 1 bale of alfalfa hay about every 9 months @$14-18, grain mix for parrots & cockatiels, and misc vegi's. Love my bunnys! oh they are house bunnys, but have their own yard for daytime. Easy to potty train & neutering a must! |
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| Posted by: ELM0NTE13 in Fresno, CA. | Posted: February 2nd, 2014 07:02PM |
| Type: New Zealand's | Store: Craigslist farm supply feed |
2 new Zealand's $12.50 +$15.00 2 bags of 50lb bags $31.51 and rest on building the cage hutch |
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| Posted by: Long live Bandit and T-Bone in Downey, CA. | Posted: April 4th, 2013 09:04PM |
| Type: short hair white | Store: |
We got our first rabbit, Bandit about six months ago, free. Bandit was looking lonely, so we got our second rabbit T-bone,who we just got spayed, 75 dollars. They are not cheap. But I purchased pellets from a feed store for about 8 dollars for a 50lb bag and hay by the Flake, that's what they call it at the feed store, when you buy a small part of a bale, for about 5 dollars. Its a lot cheaper the Petco. |
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| Posted by: a user in Queens, NY. | Posted: March 9th, 2012 10:03AM |
my husband bought our pet rabbit for us. we have enjoyed having him as a pet. he is funny and so adorably cute. we do spend a fair amount of money on hay, bedding and treats, and vegetables weekly, so they are not cheap. But we love him and wouldn't change anything about him. we got him neutered a few months after we bought him that costs $450. |
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| Posted by: JA in LOS ANGELES, CA. | Posted: August 3rd, 2010 08:08PM |
I LOVE MY RABBIT, I SPEND $60.00 FOR HIS CAGE AND FOOD. WISH HIS LIFE WILL LAST FOREVER. |
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| Posted by: John S in CT in Norwalk, CT. | Posted: August 2nd, 2010 12:08PM |
| Type: Hotot/Californian Mixes | Store: |
We have 2 female rabbits. Total cost for timothy hay, daily fresh veggies, pellets and feline pine + yesterday's news for litter boxes runs about $40 a month.
That's on top of building a suitable cage (or hutch for using outdoors) ... building or purchasing at least 2-3 litter boxes (rabbits can be litter trained, very simple) ... and any toys you feel like giving them to play with.
In my opinion, they're cheaper than dogs or cats. If you have female rabbits, you're encouraged to get them spayed for health reasons, and for behavior. (We're told male rabbits are essentially optional, but they tend to spray when they're not neutered.) Our spays cost about $250 each. That's not including a few immunizations, at about $100 for the visit. |
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| Posted by: Daph in Rumford, RI. | Posted: July 25th, 2010 03:07PM |
| Type: New Zealand | Store: RISPCA |
I adopted my neutered rabbit for only $30! He was healthy, friendly, and I have to admit cheap. My other rabbit a lionhead I purchased at a petsstore for $10 on clearance (yes animals do get put on clearance at certain stores) has to be spayed which will run me around $60. I will never purchase another rabbit again. Their cage cost $65, it is a large dog crate. Their litter box is a flat shoe storage rubber maid box and their little "house" is an old covered litter box my cat hadn't used in years. It had not smell and I disinfected it before hand. |
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| Posted by: sires6 in Charlestown, RI. | Posted: November 15th, 2009 02:11PM |
| Type: Rabbit | Store: |
Rabbit adopted as a rescue. Had fleas, and was slightly sick. Vet visit, medicine, food, litter, and small animal care itesm such as small nail clippers and a slicker brush. One time cost. Monthly, for a pet will be a little more per individual animal than a "meat" rabbit. You want better quality food (less fattening) and some toys, etc. |
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| Posted by: a user in San Diego, CA. | Posted: August 2nd, 2009 04:08PM |
| Type: Vegetables, Pellets, Litter, Hay | Store: |
It is a reasonable amount of money you need to spend monthly on all the things a rabbit needs - pellets, hay, litter, and vegetables. It's not a cheap pet, but they are great pets. |
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External Resources: | - myrabbits.org/wabbits.nsf/albums/BULE-74635T
- www.petsmart.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=hutch&origkw=hutch&sr=1
- www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/hazards.html
- www.rabbit.org/adoption/index.html
- www.animalnetwork.com/missing.aspx
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