Supplies you nEED!
There are a lot of things you will want to pick up before you bring your rabbit home. Here is a list I've created for myself as I prepare to bring my bun home in a couple of months! If you already own a rabbit, this could help you think of things you might be missing in your supply list. :) I have included general prices to help you budget as well!
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Images and links provided are from my personal supply list!
1. An Enclosure - $25 - $500+
Even if you intend to let your rabbit free roam, you should still provide your bun with a "home base" enclosure where they will feel safe. There are LOTS of options for indoor housing. You can find more information about enclosures under the "housing" tab.
Here are the most popular enclosures and general prices:​
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X-Pen: $50 - 150 (depending on size!)
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Plexiglass / Clear Pet Pen (as pictured): $50 - 70
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NIC grid condo: $25 - 50
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Indoor hutch (not as highly recommended): $150 - 300+
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Custom wooden pen: Prices vary! (can be $100 - 500+)
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$60
$130
2. Litter boxes + Scooper! <$10
The best litterboxes are large, open-air litter boxes. Though the topic of open vs covered boxes is widely debated, I do have my reasons for recommending open-air boxes. You can see more about this in the housing tab.
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I recommend getting a cat litter box, as small animal marketed litter boxes are too small. Your rabbit will spend 80-90% of its time in the litter box, so it should be a comfortable size! Luckily, these simple, open-air boxes also tend to be the cheapest option. It's best to get at least two litter boxes, and more depending on the size of the roaming area. Don't forget to pick up a scooper! Ikea has them for $0.99.
$20
$23
$6
3. Flooring $30 - 150
This is optional depending on the enclosure type you choose. If your enclosure is custom or if you are using a pen or NIC grid, you will need to create your own flooring system to protect the floors in your house. This can be one of the more complex solutions, but for my next rabbit, I will personally be trying puzzle mats with a waterproof whelping pad or trash bags underneath as a liner in case urine slips through the cracks.
I will have more info about this in the housing tab, but generally, you will want something that is waterproof and larger than the area of your enclosure so that your rabbit doesn't chew on the edges while inside the habitat.
$30
$25
4. Hay Rack - $15 - 50
My previous rabbits used a custom wooden hay box with large circles cut for them to pull from, and it worked great! In my new apartment, however, I won't have the room for a larger enclosure, so I'm saving space with this amazing hay bag.
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Because my habitat is made of a plexi-plastic blend, I don't have the option to hang anything from grids. I've decided to attempt hanging the bag using a cord organizer from Command.
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This hay bag is about $14, which is on the cheaper end. Some hay racks can be more expensive, so it just depends on what your budget is! Just be sure you select a hay rack with large openings so your bunny can pull lots of hay easily.
$14
4. optiOnal: Rug $15 - 80
Depending on what kind of traction your flooring will provide, you may also want to provide a rug or soft areas for your rabbit to walk on. Rabbits are prone to a condition called sore hocks, which is when painful ulcers form on your rabbit's heels. This is caused by a lack of traction and soft surfaces.
Try to choose a rug that is not too expensive or too fuzzy, especially if your rabbit is a chewer or a digger. It is highly likely that you will have to purchase multiple rugs as you go because your rabbit will probably destroy them periodically. Just be sure your rabbit isn't ingesting the materials, as it can cause blockages in your rabbit's intestines that can be deadly.
$27
5. Bed $15 - 70
The bed I choose will depend on my next rabbit's age. I am looking to adopt one, so if I do get an adult rabbit, I will likely pick up this teepee bed, as adult rabbits tend to be less destructive. A baby bunny would probably tear the teepee up pretty quickly.
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If I get a baby bunny, I will most likely pick up the Ikea bed or a cat hammock. Though the teepee is the most expensive, it's great because it doubles as a hidey-house!
$40
$17
$30
6. hides $0 - 300+
I will probably wait until after I get my rabbit to pick a hide so I can get one that is a good size. There are lots of options to choose from, and like everything else here, I will go into more detail in the housing section.
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Hides can be VERY expensive, or they can be free. It just depends what you want for your rabbit. You can make your own hides with cardboard boxes, or you can purchase a wooden one like this. If you do purchase a wooden one, be sure the wood is NATURAL and UNTREATED. Any chemical treatments added to the wood can poison your rabbit! And remember: just because a pet store sells it does NOT mean its good!
$55
7. Toys + Enrichment
I personally love buying toy bundles once a month or so. If I find a specific individual toy that my bun really loves, I will buy it on its own, but otherwise, I have such a hard time deciding that I'd rather just get a mixed bundle like this one! I will link some old favorites below as well. :)
$20
$8
$9
$4
8. Grooming supplies
Cat brushes and combs tend to work best to get through the fine hair of your rabbit. My favorite comb is the hair buster from Small Pet Select. You will also need a small set of curved cat nail clippers.
$21
$13
8. Hay + Food
You'll definitely want to pick up some timothy hay before you bring your rabbit home. I have a whole section about rabbit diets on the diet page.
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Small Pet Select has a 10lb box of 2nd cut for $30. You could probably also find hay cheaper from a local farm or at a farm store like Tractor Supply. Just be sure you check the quality of the hay and make sure it's not dusty or crumbling!
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Aside from hay and fresh veggies, you can pick up some pellets as well. Adult rabbits should have very limited access to pellets if any. Please consult your veterinarian about adding pellets to your bun's diet.
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You should expect to spend $10 - 15 per week on fresh veggies for one rabbit.
$30
9. carrieR
It's super important to have a carrier for transportation. For safety reasons, you never want to transport your rabbit without a carrier.
$20
10. Food + water bowls $10 - 20
I highly recommend using a heavy, ceramic bowl for food and water. Ideally, bowls should have a base that is wider than the top opening to avoid tipping. You can find ceramic bowls just about anywhere for under $10 each!
in total... (my list) $400
Some of the items I chose definitely have cheaper or free alternatives, so I would say my list is on the low-mid range of how much it could initially cost to get a rabbit.
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I plan to slowly start purchasing these items over the next couple of months before I actually get my rabbit, so the cost will be spread out. This is a good plan for anyone who doesn't want to drop a lot of money at once!