Costs of Having a Bunny

So How Much Does a Bunny Companion Really Cost?

Don't let the "Cute High" sucker you in. Many people are shocked to find out how much having a bunny companion actually costs. Rabbits are usually inexpensive to get, but that doesn't mean they are cheap to keep! Just basic one time purchases of supplies cost $250 minimum, and the ongoing cost for one rabbit adds up to around $80/month ($960/year). This does not include vet care for illnesses and emergencies which can be very expensive -- more info below.

Rabbits can live to be over 10 years old, so be ready for the a long-term financial commitment. The total costs are hard for many to believe, so we've broken it down so you can see how all the little stuff adds up. Find out if your pocket book is ready and check out the list of basic costs that go into proper care of one house rabbit. (if we've missed anything, be sure to contact us and let us know!)

ONE TIME and/or OCCASIONAL PURCHASES

(Note: even some "One Time" purchases will eventually need replacing)

See Housing Examples	HOUSING = $150 (Average if using cubes or pens) Most cages that are sold "for rabbits" are usually much too small for an adult rabbit, not to mention they can be double the average price above. According to the House Rabbit Society, cages/pens should be at least four times the size of your bunny - more if confined for large amounts of time each day. (Rabbits should get a LEAST three hours a day of free exercise time) Remember flooring too for your bunny! Even if you use a pen, you'll still want to have some sort of water proof flooring like sheet vinyl or chloroplast to make cleaning up easy.
	FOOD & WATER DISHES = $12 ($6 each) Avoid the plastic cheap light-weight bowls. Rabbits will accidentally AND intentionally overturn those. NOTE: Replace plastic water bottles annually.
	BASIC LITTER BOX ($6) & SCOOP($3) = $9 Litter boxes can go up in price dramatically with screens, covers and protective edge attachments (for the diggers!). Also, at some point, they do become smelly even when cleaned regularly, so you will have to eventually replace it. I recommend a solid scoop since rabbit litter is not the kind that can be sifted (Never use clay, dusty,clumping type litters for rabbits)
Available at BinkyBunny	HAY RACK = $10 You can get some really neat fancy ones that keep the hay from getting everywhere, or buy ones that are more basic, metal or wood, but still work great for a hungry bunny!
Mini Haven at BinkyBunny	HIDEY HOUSE = $12 Rabbits, being prey animals, like to to have hidey houses. Options include: Make it from safe woods (redwood is toxic to bunnies) Get a plastic storage tub and cut TWO entry/exit holes in it. Be sure to sand off any sharp edges Purchase a hidey box from a pet store/rabbit store Plain old (non-dyed) cardboard can work too. If you use a pen, don't place a flat topped hidey house near the edge of an xpen (doubles an escape launch pad)
	SOFT BEDDING = $15 Don't put your bunny on wire flooring as this can cause sore hocks. Make sure to have a flat surface and soft bedding in any cage/pen for a place to lounge. This can be anything from soft bedding from a petstore, a throw blanket, or a yard or two of fleese from a fabric store. NOTE: Some materials can shed fibers and cause serious digestive problems. Pull on the the material to check if fibers come loose easily. Also some bunnies may eat the material. You will need to switch to another type of bedding if that is the case. (trial and error)
Check out BinkyBunny Toys	TOYS = $15 Rabbits do play, and good rabbit toys cater to the "prey behaviors of bunnies. Foraging, chewing, and exploring are top on the list. It's best to buy a few toys and alternate them to prevent boredom. For some inexpensive homemade options check out our Bunny Toy Test. This will be more of a frequent replacement - may not be monthly, but at least every 2-3 months.
	NAIL CARE = $13.50 Nail Clippers = 6.00 Syptic Powder = 7.50 Learn how to clip nails in Monthly Maintenance
	BRUSH OR COMB = $6.00 It's important to keep rabbits groomed. A once a week brushing (or more during molts) helps prevent digestive issues.
	CORD COVERS - $10 You have to get your cords up and out of the way or cover them. Rabbits will chew through them which can cause damage to your stuff, fire hazards and can also seriously hurt your bunny! There are many versions of cord covers. I use corrugated flexible tubing which you can find online or at your local hardware store. Learn how to Bunny Proof your Home
	SMALL CARRIER = $25 Carrier styles and prices vary greatly! - From the basic (left) to fancy, colorful, and even air-conditioned. I advise against the cheap cardboard carriers as a determined rabbit will chew right threw those in just minutes.
	One Time/Occasional TOTAL = $247.50

MONTHLY COSTS

Mini-bales at BinkyBunny

HAY = $15/month

Rabbits should have access to fresh hay available 24 hours a day. Hay provides the roughage/fiber that is needed to keep their digestive tract moving. Rabbits can’t cough up hairballs like cats, and can become seriously ill if their digestive system becomes sluggish or stops. Hay is vital for a healthy digestive system. Young rabbits under 7 months can have alfalfa. Adult rabbits should get grass hays, like Timothy, Orchard, Oat and/or mixtures. You can save $$ by buying in large quantities and storing hay properly. (Hay needs to breathe to prevent mold. A cardboardbox or large laundry bag are best. Plastic bins are okay if you get in and out of it alot -- you can also drill a few holes throughout to allow for some airflow.)

Veggie/Fruit List

GREENS/VEGGIES = $40/month

See Diet page for appropriate amounts (avg 1.5 cups minimum daily)
Greens should be slowly introduced at about 3 months old

PELLETS = $4.50/month
(Based on 10# bag that should last af few months)

Recommended Nutritional Value

Fiber 18% minimum (20 -25% best)

Fat 1 - 2% max,

Protein 12 - 14% max (long-haired breeds may need higher)

Calcium 1% max

It's important to choose a healthy pellet, not the cheapest.

Avoid pellets that have dried fruit, cereal, seeds & nuts!

LITTER = $20/month

Some of my favorite litters include Aspen Supreme, Yesterdays News and Carefresh (carefresh is a soft litter - perfect for bunnies, like Rexes that are prone to sore hocks

Stay away from clumping & dusty cat litters, corn based, and pine shavings as these can cause serious health risks. (compressed pine pellets are okay)

Bargain Tip: Wood stove pellets are usually cheap and a great alternative to some of the more expensive litter brands.

PET FRIENDLY CLEANING SOLUTIONS = $2/month

Unlike other free range animals, rabbits are many times limited to a particular space, so it is very important to use to rinse well even with pet friendly cleaners.

Home solution: White Vinegar/Water (50/50) is wonderful in combating urine stains and odor. Rabbits urine can have a strong amonia smell and the vinegar mix combats these very well! However, since vinegar is very acidic, you will need an industrial plastic bottle otherwise you may find that an ordinary spray botte's nozzle may stop working. I find using both the vinegar mix and Nature's Miracle works best in preventing "remarking".

Monthly TOTAL = $81.50

ADDITIONAL COSTS NOT INCLUDED IN COST CALCULATIONS

VET CARE

The likelyhood of any pet needing vetcare in their lifetime is high. Rabbits are no exception. And it can be very expensive.(Check out this forum discussion about some actual vet costs members had to deal with).

Remember, you are paying for the vet, not the pet. Not to mention that you need to make sure your vet is rabbit-savvy. You may be suprised to learn that rabbits are actually considered an "exotic". A rabbit-savvy vet will have the extra schooling for "exotics" to treat rabbits. The exotic title is due in part to the the fact that rabbits react differently to anethesia than predator animals, like cats and dogs. Also some treatments and antiobiotics that would be safe for a cat are dog, can be deadly to rabbits. Dental issues are also common, especially in dwarf breeds, and this can be very expensive over time with regular check-ups, tooth trims, and/or surgeries. This equals into hundreds to even thousands of dollars.

Rabbit's hide illness very well, and by the time you notice something is wrong, it can be serious. Waiting to bring your bunny to the vet, due to lack of funds, can put your bunny at serious risk. I recommend getting pet insurance (VPI covers rabbits $12/mnth). Be sure to save a few hundred dollars for emergency care.

There are also credit cards, like "Care Credit", that can only be spent on health care and vet care. Not all vets take these, but many do - check with yours. For me this system works out well, as I can put the vet bill on the credit card, file a claim with the insurance, which normally pays out by the time my credit card is due. Every little bit helps.

Bargain Tip: Adopt a bunny from a rabbit rescue or animal shelter. Most are already spayed/neutered ($150 savings!) and have had a vet check-up and/or sometimes will give you a coupon for a free checkup .

TIME

The value of exercise, love and attention is priceless. Unlike cats or dogs who will verbally announce their dissatisfaction, a dissatisfied rabbit may act out or just sit in his cage all day. Silence does not equal satisfaction. Rabbits need freedom, exercise and attention everyday.

TREATS

Treats are definitely not a necessity, and you do have to be careful with how much you give a rabbit, but given in moderation, it's a great way to bond with your bunny. Plus, c'mon how many people don't give treats to their animal companions. It's a human thing! Just be sure to look for the healthiest possible. Fresh fruit and herbs are best, and be sure to check the ingredients of store bought treats to make sure they are not too high in fat and sugar.

So if this didn't scare ya off, you might just be ready for the "cute" high.