How much does a rabbit cost per month? The real budget, item by item
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
How much does a rabbit cost per month? Expect 40 to 70 € at cruising speed for an indoor rabbit: roughly 25 to 40 € of food and litter, plus a monthly provision of 15 to 30 € for the vet (vaccinations, neutering spread out, the unexpected). That is more than a hamster, less than a dog — but well beyond the “15 € a month” sometimes claimed in pet shops.
Contents · 5 sections
How much does feeding a rabbit cost each month?
It is the biggest item, for a 1.5 kg dwarf rabbit:
- Hay: 3 to 4 kg per month, i.e. 8 to 20 € depending on the grade (see our comparison of budget or premium hay);
- Fresh greens: 5 to 10 € per week, i.e. 20 to 40 € per month — the most variable item;
- Pellets: 1 to 3 € per month at the correct dose (30 g per day);
- Healthy treats (dried flowers and herbs): 2 to 4 € per month.
Tip: carrot and radish tops given away free at the market cut the greens bill considerably.
Litter and upkeep: what monthly budget?
A tray changed two to three times a week uses 8 to 12 € of plant-based litter per month (hemp or straw pellets). Add white vinegar for cleaning (1 €) and the occasional replacement of chew toys (2 to 5 €), bearing in mind that many can be made for free — see our homemade toys.
How much should you set aside for the vet?
Basic follow-up with a rabbit-savvy exotics vet costs 50 to 80 € a year in vaccination (myxomatosis and RHD), plus once-in-a-lifetime neutering (80 to 150 €). A provision of 15 to 30 € per month covers these costs and cushions the unexpected — a molar to be filed or GI stasis is billed at 100 to 400 €. Our guide to the rabbit vet budget puts figures on every scenario.
How do you cut the monthly cost without cutting corners on health?
Buy hay in 5 to 10 kg bales (2 to 3 €/kg instead of 5 to 7 €), litter in 100 L bags, and durable equipment second-hand. Never economise on hay quality or on vaccinations: that is what prevents the big bills. All our equipment guides are on the rabbit hub.
Frequently asked questions
Do two rabbits cost twice as much?
No, about 1.6 times: the housing and accessories are shared, only food and vet costs genuinely double.
Should you insure your rabbit?
Exotic pet insurance exists at 8 to 15 € per month; compare ceilings and exclusions (teeth are often excluded) before sometimes preferring a dedicated savings pot.
What budget for the first year?
Around 800 to 1,200 €: starter equipment (150 to 300 €), neutering, first vaccinations, then the regular monthly budget.
See it in the Planète Pets shop: Bubble-window carrier backpack for dwarf rabbit, guinea pig or ferret (€47.90) · the whole shop
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Rabbits universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.
