House Rabbits – How Much Does A Bunny Cost?

Every new family member, be it furry or not, will increase the monthly expenses of the household. Before getting any pet it is a good idea to do the math and figure out if you can afford to support it. Here’s what our 2 bunnies cost, so you get an idea what to expect if you are thinking of adopting a rabbit or can compare your own expenses if you already have one (or more).

Fresh basil at $2.99 each lasts for about 4-5 days.

Recurring Expenses

Food
Bunny and Bailey eat approximately 2-3 cups of fresh vegetables every day. To make sure they get the best out there, we try to buy organic vegetables for them, but it’s not always possible. Either way, this adds up to about $15-20 per week. If fennel is out of season, it might even be $25. They also receive unlimited amounts of hay (2 different kinds), which costs us about $40 every 2-3 months. I’d also add another $10 per month for healthy treats, such as tree sticks, flower petals, dried food mixes, and more. Interestingly, adding Bailey to the family did not double the rabbit food costs.
Total Food: $90-110 per month.

Bedding
We go through 1 (large) package of Critter Care/Carefresh every 4-6 weeks. This isn’t the cheapest, but also not the most expensive option. Prices will vary based on the kind of litter/bedding you use.
Total Bedding: $15 per month

Vet
Rabbits, just like humans, are supposed to go to regular check-ups. If the bunnies are healthy, the yearly exam costs us $45 each in North Carolina. There is always at least one additional occasion that requires a visit to the vet, which adds another $85 each. We also get flea medication (just in case, since we take them outside regularly). Rabbits can get sick very suddenly, though, and it’s a good idea to have a few hundred dollars saved in case of an emergency.
Total Vet: $160+ per year per rabbit

Toys
Even though there are some toys that can be used over and over again, it is important to keep our rabbits entertained, challenged, and too busy to attack furniture. Therefore, I will add another $15 a month for entertainment.
Entertainment: $15 per month

Total Average Monthly Expense: approximately $135+

One-Time Expenses

Health/Cleanliness
Rabbits need nail clippers, a brush/comb, and a litter box. Prices for the litter box range from $5 for a simple plastic one to $50 for a nice wooden one. Both male and female rabbits should get fixed for health and wellness reasons, which can range anywhere from $35 to $300, depending on your location. We paid about $120 for Bunny and Bailey was already spayed when we got her.

Bunny’s current castle made out of wood and felt (to prevent slipping).

Living
If you want your rabbit to be confined, a cage will probably be the biggest one-time expense. Most cages found in pet stores are way too small and should only be used in combination with extensive free-time or an enclosed space surrounding it. Large cages/Playpens start at $80 and come as expensive as you like. Since everyone needs things to call their own, you may want to get rabbit-friendly furniture, such as wooden houses, ramps, and tunnels. These can be made out of cardboard, too, so the expense is really based on what you choose. We built a “castle” out of wood, which cost about $50 and a lot of frustration, but was worth it. We still have it 2 years later. Rabbits also need a bowl for water and food. Add a nice cotton towel to your stash to make your bun extra happy.

Make sure you bunny-proof your house, which includes hiding all cables, because otherwise you will need to add a nice chunk of money to the budget for replacement of cables. And they always go for the expensive ones.

Optional
If you have a backyard that is not fenced in then you may want to consider a playpen, fence, or other means to let your bun roam outside.

Before publishing this article, we asked around on facebook and it seems that costs vary greatly based on location, diet, and other variables. However, the overall recurring costs seem to be around $110 a month for 1-2 rabbits assuming there are no major health issues.