How Much Do Dutch Rabbits Cost? 2024 Price Update

Are you looking for a small to medium rabbit to join your family? The Dutch Rabbit may be just what you’re looking for! You may also see this breed referred to as the Brabander or Hollander. This is one of the oldest rabbit breeds, but they are also quite popular, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a Dutch Rabbit near you to bring home. In fact, they are one of the top 10 most popular rabbit breeds in the world.

It’s important to understand the costs associated with these bunnies before you bring one home so that you aren’t caught off guard by expenses. You can expect to pay up to $90 to bring Dutch Rabbit home and $50–$100 per month for necessary care. It’s very important to consider that Dutch Rabbits prefer to be kept in pairs, so you ideally should budget and plan for two rabbits.

Bringing Home a New Dutch Rabbit: One-Time Costs

As with any new pet, there are a handful of up-front costs to consider. Even if you luck into a free bunny, there is no such thing as a free pet! There are multiple expenses that are necessary, as well as others that are ideal but not required.

Free

It’s not every day that you come across a free rabbit, but it’s also not totally uncommon. There are many people who aren’t prepared to care for a rabbit properly, as well as people whose situation changes, and they can no longer care for the rabbit. In many cases, these people are happy to give their rabbit away to a good home. You may even luck into bringing home a rabbit with all of the startup supplies.

Adoption

Typically, the adoption fees for Dutch Rabbits are relatively low. Since many people end up with rabbits they can’t care for, it’s not uncommon for them to end up in rescues and shelters. If you get your Dutch Rabbit from one of these organizations, you can pay as little as $15 for your rabbit, while some adoption fees may reach up to $75. The cost is likely to vary widely in different areas.

Breeder

Dutch Rabbits are gentle and loving, as well as not being difficult to breed. These things, combined with their overall popularity, mean you aren’t likely to break the bank to bring home a Dutch Rabbit from a breeder. Rabbits from breeders and in pet stores may sell for as little as $30 all the way up to $90.

Initial Setup and Supplies

The initial setup for your Dutch Rabbit will vary based on the products you purchase and which optional things you choose. For example, a vet visit for a health check after adoption is recommended, but it’s not uncommon for people not to take their rabbit to the vet when they are well.

The cost of bedding, food, and even the enclosure can vary significantly, so you can generally work around your budget. Regardless of your budget, though, you should have at least $200 ready to spend on getting your new rabbit set up.

List of Dutch Rabbit Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does a Dutch Rabbit Cost Per Month?

Monthly costs are dependent on the products you regularly purchase for your rabbit. A balanced and healthy diet for a rabbit will typically cost at least $40 every month, while bedding and cage maintenance can add anywhere from around $15 to $50 or more. Every month, you should be prepared to purchase hay, pellets, fresh foods, bedding, and litter if your rabbit is litter box trained.

Health Care

The good news is that you are unlikely to need to spend money on your rabbit’s health care every month. A healthy rabbit won’t need monthly medications or vet visits, but older rabbits and those with chronic health conditions may need routine care and services. Also, some rabbits need their teeth trimmed. If your rabbit isn’t a chewer and doesn’t seem to be naturally keeping their teeth at an appropriate length, you may need to take them to the vet regularly for a teeth trim.

Food

Although many people think that all a rabbit needs are rabbit pellets, rabbit diets are much more complex than this, especially if you want to support your rabbit’s health and longevity. While pellets are part of the rabbit diet, hay is the primary food your rabbit should have access to at all times. They will also need rabbit-safe fruits and veggies.

Pet Insurance

Not every rabbit owner will invest in pet insurance for their rabbit, and that’s ok! Pet insurance coverage for rabbits can be difficult to find, so it may not be an easy thing to acquire. If you choose not to have pet insurance for your rabbit, create a fund you can add money to every month. This will allow you to have money ready for unexpected expenses, like emergencies and illnesses.

Environment Maintenance

Every month, there are a few expenses you can expect for your Dutch Rabbit. Bedding, litter, and cleaning supplies are all potential needs. If you purchase your rabbit’s bedding or litter in bulk, you may only have to purchase supplies every couple of months. Just keep in mind that this will cost more up front than purchasing smaller amounts more frequently.

Entertainment

Providing enrichment and entertainment for your rabbit is an essential part of maintaining their mental, emotional, and physical health. There are lots of toys on the market for rabbits, and providing your bunny with a rotation of fun toys can keep things interesting. Luckily, there are also DIY toys you can put together for your rabbit out of things you probably already have at home, so you may not have to spend money on toys and enrichment items every month.

However, aim to provide your rabbit with new items every month to help keep things interesting. You can also leash train your rabbit and provide them with supervised outdoor time to provide free enrichment.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Dutch Rabbit

Every month, your Dutch Rabbit will need food, no matter what. Bedding, litter, and cleaning supplies can be purchased in large enough quantities to avoid having to buy them every month, but they are still regular necessities. Pet insurance and health care costs are likely to be zero, but if your bunny is chronically ill or elderly, or you choose to get pet insurance for them, be prepared for these additional expenses.

Additional Costs to Factor In

The good news is that there aren’t a whole lot of other costs that you need to factor into your bunny budget. If you go on vacation, you will need a rabbit-savvy pet sitter, and some pet sitters will consider a rabbit’s care to be specialty services, which may increase the cost.

Also, keep in mind that many of your rabbit’s items will need to be replaced throughout their life, including their litter box, toys, food and water bowls, and potentially even their enclosure.

Owning a Dutch Rabbit on a Budget

Owning a rabbit on a budget is possible, but you still need to build rabbit care items into your monthly budget. Tight budgets can work with having a rabbit, but you should plan for at least $50 of bunny spending every month, which can be a major challenge for some budgets. DIY toys and enrichment items can help save you some money, and many people find that building their own rabbit hutch is less expensive than purchasing a store-bought enclosure.

Saving Money on Dutch Rabbit Care

While you can save money on your Dutch Rabbit’s care, don’t cut corners. Saving money can involve buying products in bulk, sharing your own veggies with your rabbit, and using your DIY skills to make toys. Saving money should never involve cutting food access, nor should it allow for your rabbit’s enclosure to become unhygienic. Rabbits are sensitive animals that can become ill if they are not cared for properly.

Conclusion

When you first bring home your Dutch Rabbit, which may be free or may cost as much as $90, you should already have all your start-up supplies. Plan for at least $200 on initial supplies for your rabbit, and if you are planning to provide them with veterinary care, like a wellness visit, spay/neuter procedure, or microchip, then you should budget for these as well. After the initial spend, you may be able to spend as little as $50 on your rabbit every month.

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Featured Image Credit: Volha Suhakova, Shutterstock