Bunny Money!

 

You know, to be honest, although I'm an Education Bunny, there's one subject I really know nothing about. And that subject is Money! 

My secretary and chauffeur take care of all that, and they often get asked how much a bunny actually costs. People considering getting one of us for a pet want to know how much they can expect to spend on a rabbit's care. This is so fiscally responsible - good job, potential rabbit people!!

So I've decided to do some research this week and write a blog post on how much a bunny will cost. I've asked all my human friends how much they spend on their bunnies, and I've been looking up the cost of commonly needed bunny items. It was a lot of work, but now I'm ready to present to you - your Bunny Budget!!

Please note, some of these costs will vary - your veterinary costs, food costs if your bunny is big (or just a big eater!). And there are incidental costs that I didn't figure in. For example, we have to change our air filters more often during shedding seasons, and I need special fleece blankets because I have trouble with sores on my feet (it's a Rex thing!). But this will give you a good idea of the basics.

First we'll start with the One Time Expenses - the things you need when you first get your bunny:

For Housing:  

                1. Pen: $55. (We like this one here.)

                2. Extension for pen: $22 (These are wonderful!)

                3. Carrier: $20 - $45 (This is my favorite!)

                4. Litter Box: $10 - $30 (How about this one? Roomy!)

                5. Water/Food Dishes/Wobbly Ball: $25 (A wobbly ball is a toy that makes eating pellets fun! You can find one here and here! The first one is my favorite!)

So far those costs add up to around $110 to $177. You may decide not to get a pen extender, or you may get a cheaper carrier or litter box. 

Now let's talk about one time Veterinary Expenses:

                    1. First Time Check Up: $60

                 2. Bloodwork: $75 (yes, you need to get baseline bloodwork unless you are adopting from a rescue that has already done this!)

                3. Microchip: $45

                4. Spay/Neuter: $200 - $250 (Please do not skimp on your bunny's spay/neuter with a non-rabbit vet! Please go to a rabbit-savvy vet!!)

So these costs are about $380 to $430. So with the housing costs that's about $490 to $607 total.

Next there are the Annual Expenses, but these are pretty easy:

                1. Annual Vet Check Up: $60

                 2. Annual Blood Work (if needed): $75

                3. Bunny Sitter (for when you go on vacation, unless a friend wants to love on your bunny for free!)

Please note that younger bunnies might not need blood work, but older bunnies might need more frequent check ups. Also please note that bunnies don't need rabies vaccines, but if you live in an area which has RHDV2, your bunny will definitely need to be vaccinated for that. Vaccine costs vary widely, so please check with your own rabbit savvy vet!

And finally - the real nitty gritty! What are the monthly costs of a bunny?

Most of our bunny friends agreed that they spend around $75 to $100 a month on their bunnies. We broke it down as best we could, but please bear in mind that some of these food costs depend on how big your bunny is and how much she eats. I'm not going to name any names, but we have two French Lops in sanctuary here who eat literally twice as much each as I do. Just sayin'.

So here are the Monthly Expenses:

            1. Fresh Veggies: $25 - $35

            2. Hay: $15 - $30

            3. Pellets: $8 - $12

            4. Litter: $5 - $12

            5. Vet Fund: $20 - $50

            6. Toys and Treats: Varies. 

Some of these monthly costs can vary, of course, and when I talk about food and litter in future blog posts I can give you some ideas on how to save money. Please don't get cheap food though - honestly, you'll make up for it in future vet costs as a consequence of bad nutrition!

And one expense on this list might make you wonder - why a vet fund? Honestly, this is your most important monthly expense!

It's safe to say that all bunnies will, at some point, have an unexpected vet expense. GI stasis happens! And so do injuries and illnesses....I could go on and on! Sure you can pay for it with a credit card if you have one, but why not just start saving for the inevitable right now? You'll have some peace of mind - trust me! 

Even saving $20 a month will come to $240 in a year. If you can put aside $50 a month - even better! That will be $600 a year, which will be a great start to a vet fund! If your bunny hasn't had vet issues you can always use some of it for her annual check up. I really recommend this!

I think that's it. Did I forget anything? You can let me know in the comments!

Byeeeeeee!

Love, Mrs. Kitty Brighton, Education Bunny