How Much Does A Pet Rabbit Cost?

Written by Abi Cushman

Many people may be misguided in thinking that rabbits are cheap, low-maintenance pets. The truth is that pet rabbits live 10 years or longer, and they require a considerable amount of care, time, and money.

Cost of a Pet Rabbit

Here’s what a pet rabbit can cost, depending on whether you adopt one from a rescue or shelter, or buy a bunny from a breeder.

• Rabbit Rescue: $70 – $150
• Animal Shelter: $50 – $70
• Breeder: $100 – $500

Initial Bunny Supply Costs

Here is a rundown of costs for a pet carrier, rabbit cage/pen, bunny proofing supplies, litter, and food for when you first bring your bunny home.

• Pet carrier: $35
• X-pen: $50
• Litter box (shallow storage bin): $20
• Hay feeder: $10 – $20
• Food/water dishes: $15
• Nail clippers & small flashlight: $25
• Cord protectors: $35
• Storage cubes (to fence off areas): $30
• Chair mats: $30
• Fleece blankets: $25
• Litter: $20
• Pellets: $20
• Hay: $25
• TOTAL INITIAL: $340 – $350

Note: It’s easy to underestimate how many bunny proofing supplies you’ll need. As your bunny explores your home, you will discover more wires to cover and more areas to fence off.

Not only do these storage cubes work well to block off bookcases, my bunny, Otis, loves chewing the box.

Ongoing Supplies

(Keep in mind that rabbits live 10+ years.)

• Litter: $40/month
• Hay: $10/month (can be cheaper, >$5/month, if you buy from a local farmer by the bale)
• Greens/vegetables: $25/month
• Pellets: $5/month
• TOTAL ONGOING: $70/month

Incidental Costs

The above estimates give you an idea of costs for owning a rabbit. But they should serve as a minimum baseline. There are other costs that will arise along the way.

Vet bills Rabbits require regular visits to a rabbit-savvy veterinarian especially as they get older. Young rabbits will need spay/neuter surgery ($50 – $200). And sometimes, despite proper care, rabbits get sick.

Vet bills can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Are you willing and able to cover those costs as the need arises?

Bunny supply replacement Some of the initial supplies listed above will need to be replaced at some point during your rabbit’s life, just from simple wear and tear.

Furniture/other possession repair and replacement Rabbits have a knack for destruction. Even if you have bunny proofed your home, sometimes they can get into an off-limits area and wreak havoc.

I found my bunny in a drawer (which had been closed) having the time of his life chewing my sketchpads and important documents.

You may forget to stow away your remote controls, electronic devices, books, shoes, etc. and your bunny will have gleefully gnawed them in the meantime.  The costs of repair or replacement can be high!

Store-bought toys and tunnels While rabbits are fairly content with old boxes and toilet paper rolls, you may want to splurge on “fancier” store-bought toys, such as hidey houses, tunnels, and more.  If you’re the type person who likes to spoil your pet, factor these costs into the equation as well.

In Summary

A pet bunny can cost anywhere between $50 and $500 depending on whether you adopt one from a rescue or shelter or buy one from a breeder.

The cost for bunny supplies, including housing, food, litter, and bunny proofing materials can be around $350 to start, and then about $70 per month.

You may think that you could be thriftier and spend less on your rabbit than the estimates suggest. With careful planning, bargain shopping, DIY skills, and time, this is certainly possible.

However, you should always ensure that you have enough money to cover those incidental costs, especially vet bills, which are non-negotiable and essential to your rabbit’s well-being.

To learn more about bunny ownership, visit our article, Preparing for Your First House Rabbit.

About the Author

Abi Cushman is a veteran house rabbit owner and a contributing editor of My House Rabbit. She currently shares her home with one mischievous dwarf bunny named Otis.

When she's not writing about bunnies for My House Rabbit, Abi writes and illustrates funny books for kids, including Soaked! (Viking) and Animals Go Vroom! (Viking). And yes, there are bunnies in them. Learn more at abicushman.com.

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