Cost of owning a rabbit in the UK
See the real first-year, yearly and lifetime cost of keeping rabbits, based on typical UK prices you can edit.
Monthly costs
One-off costs
First year
£1,885
£1,602–£2,168
Typical yearly cost
£1,140
£969–£1,311
Lifetime total (9.0 yrs)
£11,303
£9,608–£12,998
Cost by year
Insurance premiums typically rise as your pet ages, and vet costs tend to increase in the senior years.
RSPCA and PDSA: a pair of rabbits costs roughly £6,500–£9,000 over a lifetime. Source
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Why rabbits cost more than people expect
Rabbits are often bought as a "starter pet" for children, but proper welfare-compliant care makes them surprisingly costly – UK charities regularly point out they can cost as much as a dog once housing, healthcare and the fact they should live in pairs are accounted for. This calculator covers a single rabbit's costs; double the food, insurance and vet lines for a typical bonded pair.
Housing is the biggest early cost
Welfare guidelines call for far more space than a traditional small hutch – a permanent enclosure with at least 3m² of secure, weatherproof space that allows rabbits to run, jump and stand fully upright on their hind legs. Building or buying a proper setup is usually the largest one-off cost, easily £300–£600, and worth budgeting for before bringing rabbits home. Check your setup against our rabbit hutch size checker.
Food: mostly hay, not muesli
A rabbit's diet should be at least 80% good-quality hay or fresh grass, plus a small amount of pellets and leafy greens. Hay is one of the cheapest parts of rabbit care if bought in bulk, though it needs a constant supply – rabbits' teeth grow continuously and need the wear that fibrous food provides. Muesli-style mixes are best avoided as they encourage selective eating and dental problems. Use our rabbit food calculator to plan quantities and cost.
Vet care and insurance
Annual vaccination against myxomatosis and RVHD1/RVHD2 is essential and usually needs boosting yearly. Rabbits are prey animals that mask pain well, so problems like dental disease, gut stasis and flystrike can become emergencies quickly – flystrike in particular can be fatal within a day in warm weather. Fewer insurers cover rabbits than cats and dogs, but given how quickly rabbit health issues escalate, it's worth checking what's available through our pet insurance calculator.
Neutering matters for both cost and welfare
Neutering prevents unwanted litters, reduces hormonal aggression and, in female rabbits, removes a very high lifetime risk of uterine cancer. It's an upfront cost but usually pays for itself many times over in avoided vet bills and unplanned breeding.
Budgeting for the years ahead
Rabbits commonly live 8–12 years with good care, longer than many owners expect, so it's worth planning for ongoing hay, bedding and vet costs for the best part of a decade, not just the first exciting few months.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to keep rabbits in the UK?
Rabbit welfare charities usually quote costs for a bonded pair, since rabbits should never be kept alone. Expect roughly £700–£1,500 a year for a pair once you add food, hay, insurance, vet care, bedding and a suitably sized hutch or enclosure.
Why do rabbits need to be kept in pairs, and does that double the cost?
Rabbits are highly social and can become stressed or depressed alone, so the RSPCA and PDSA recommend keeping at least two, usually neutered opposite-sex or same-sex bonded pairs. It doesn't quite double every cost – hutch, initial equipment and vet visits often overlap – but food, insurance and neutering broadly do scale per rabbit.
Is rabbit insurance worth it?
Rabbits are prey animals that hide illness well, and conditions like dental disease, gut stasis and flystrike can escalate quickly and expensively. Given how easily rabbit health problems become emergencies, insurance is worth considering, though fewer insurers offer it than for cats and dogs, so shop around.
What's the biggest one-off cost when getting rabbits?
Housing. A hutch and run large enough to meet welfare guidelines, plus a secure, weatherproof and predator-proof setup, commonly costs £300–£600 or more for a proper setup, on top of neutering and vaccination costs for each rabbit.
Do rabbits need vaccinations?
Yes – annual vaccination against myxomatosis and both strains of viral haemorrhagic disease (RVHD1 and RVHD2) is strongly recommended in the UK, as these diseases are common and usually fatal.
Estimates only – not a substitute for advice from your vet.
Last reviewed: 22 September 2026