Before adopting a pet of any kind, it’s important to consider all of the costs that you’ll incur.
If you’ve ever been a pet owner before, you know that there’s a lot more money involved than just what you pay to adopt an animal.
There are plenty of ongoing costs that will remain as long as your pet is alive.
For some rabbit breeds, this can be more than 10 years. Let’s talk a bit more in-depth regarding how much a bunny actually costs.
How Much Does a Pet Rabbit Cost?
The amount of money that you pay for a rabbit will depend on where you’re getting them from and the breed of rabbit that they are. For example, you may be able to find a rabbit at a rescue organization.
Most rescues will only charge you what it costs them to have the rabbit checked out by a veterinarian prior to adoption.
You may also be able to keep your adoption costs down if you can find a rabbit owner that is looking to re-home a rabbit. If you’re purchasing a rabbit from a breeder, this is when the cost can get a little high.
How Much Does a Bunny Cost if They’re a Pure Bred?
As with purebred dogs, show rabbits that have optimal bloodlines are going to be expensive. Some people prefer to adopt over shopping for a pet, but there may be reasons that you’re looking for a specific breed.
The Lionhead rabbit breed or the Harlequin breed are some of the more affectionate breeds if you’re looking for a rabbit that’s going to be great with kids.
You may have another breed in mind based on how that type of rabbit looks. These rabbits can be upwards of a couple of hundred dollars.
Also, rabbits can affordably be purchased at local pet stores, but this isn’t always the most humane route to take. Many pet stores have questionable breeding practices that you may not want to support.
These rabbits can sometimes come with a lot of health issues that could shorten their life expectancy. If this is the route you insist on taking, do some research before adopting from a store.
The Cost of Rabbit Housing
Even if your rabbit is going to free-roam your home a lot of the time, you’ll need some sort of enclosure for them. A hutch is what you’ll use outdoors, and this can cost anywhere from $150 to $250.
You can also opt to make your own, though the cost of materials sometimes doesn’t warrant the effort you have to put into the build. Purchasing the hutch tends to be more convenient.
A large rabbit base is needed for the inside of the home. This may cost somewhere between $50 and $150. The size you choose will be determined by how much time your rabbit is going to spend in the base at one time.
A small base is fine if your rabbit is going to be free in a rabbit-proofed home most often. You’ll just use the base if you need to clean up around the home or if there’s another animal at your home for the time being that could pose a danger to your rabbit.
Larger bases are necessary if you’re going to have your rabbit in there while you’re away at work for the day or you’re going on vacation for the weekend. The more room your rabbit has, the happier he or she will be.
The Cost of Rabbit Supplies
Once you have the rabbit base purchased, there will be ongoing costs for things like bedding material, hay, fresh food, pellet food, treats, toys, etc. It’s practical to estimate that you’ll need about $40 to $50 for rabbit supplies each month.
You can save a lot of money by purchasing your supplies in larger quantities. You’ll only take what you need for the time being and store the rest properly.
How Much Does Rabbit Food Cost?
If you’re really looking to save some money, think about growing your own backyard garden as a way to source fresh produce and greens for your rabbit.
Rabbits also require a fresh supply of hay at all times.
Hay is relatively affordable, and you can purchase a small bag at a pet supply store for under $20. Remember that the rabbit’s diet should consist of 80% hay.
A bag of rabbit pellet food is generally under $10 per bag. You don’t want to buy these items in too large of quantities, because you won’t be able to keep them fresh for months upon months.
Stick to what you know your rabbit can consume that month. If you want to have a surplus, you should keep unopened bags in the home to open as needed.
How Much Does a Bunny Cost if You’re Buying Toys?
You may be able to come up with toys for your rabbit from old items in your home such as a toilet paper roll that has treats stuffed into it with a little bit of hay.
Cardboard is a great material to use for rabbit toys, so keep those old boxes around when you get deliveries. You can cut them up into all kinds of shapes to create exciting new toys for your rabbit that can be replaced frequently.
Vet Costs for Rabbits
In order to raise a rabbit that is healthy and lives a long life, you’ll want to have a trusted veterinarian on standby. Your rabbit should go for a yearly physical, but there may be times when an appointment is needed intermittently because your rabbit isn’t feeling well.
A yearly checkup can cost you anywhere from $50 to $200, depending on what needs to be done at the appointment. If your rabbit needs maintenance medication or medication for an infection/health issue, this tacks on another expense.
If your pet has ongoing health issues that you’re afraid might become very expensive, you can think about purchasing health insurance. This insurance will cover routine necessities, but also issues like emergency surgery, dental problems, illness, and senior rabbit concerns. Rabbits can live a long time, so insurance might be something worth considering.
How Much Does a Bunny Cost if You Are Replacing Items?
Rabbits can be a bit destructive at times, so you may encounter the need for replacing certain items of theirs or even certain items in your home. With a little bit of training, you should be able to keep your rabbit from scratching up your furniture, but you never know what could happen when you turn your back for a second.
Over time, your rabbit may need new base items or blankets. That initial startup cost may reoccur after a few years.
Safety Items
Bringing a rabbit home is a lot like bringing a baby home in many ways. You have to rabbit-proof your home to make sure that your rabbit isn’t going to harm themselves by chewing on electrical cords or remote controls.
Put some items out of reach, and invest in cord protectors and other safety equipment in order to keep your rabbit safe.
Additional Expenses
We’ve talked a bit about the costs that you’ll be paying throughout the course of your rabbit’s time with you, but there may be other expenses that come up. If you’re going to be embarking on a vacation for a number of days or weeks, you’ll need someone to take care of your rabbit.
You may have a location nearby that will allow you to board your rabbit for a fee. You could also hire a pet sitter to stop by periodically for feedings and socialization.
How Much Does a Bunny Cost if You Have to Groom Them?
Grooming is something that you may be able to do on your own if your rabbit complies, but some rabbits require the help of a professional for things like trimming nails or trimming long patches of fur. Some rabbits require the fur on their bottom to be trimmed every so often if it gets too long and dirty from waste materials.
See if you can work with your rabbit so they’re comfortable with you doing this grooming, and you’ll be able to save quite a bit of money. If the process is far too stressful, the little bit of extra money to have professional help may be worth it to you.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this information has provided you with a little more insight into what a rabbit requires from a financial standpoint. If you’re able to afford a rabbit as a pet, then you can start the process of setting up a safe and comfortable home for your rabbit before they arrive.
Just be sure that you’re prepared to take on any unexpected expenses that may occur. Regardless of what kind of animal you have, you’ll likely need to address at least a couple of illnesses or injuries during your pet’s lifetime.
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