How Much Do Mini Rex Rabbits Cost? 2024 Update

Rabbits are small bundles of silky fur and boundless energy. One of the most popular breeds is the Mini Rex rabbit. Known for their friendly and affectionate nature, they were developed from the standard-size Rex rabbit and are a firm favorite for their temperament and fun habits. Despite their size, these small pets can be just as pricy as cats and dogs and require as much care.

Once you’ve decided you want to take on the responsibility of owning a Mini Rex rabbit, your budget should be the first thing you plan for. Taking care of your rabbit will be your duty for years, and you need to plan for their purchase cost, initial supplies, and ongoing needs such as food, veterinary care, and grooming. Your monthly cost can run anywhere between $7–$500 per month!

Before you purchase your bunny, take a look at this guide to learn more about the supplies you’ll need, where to purchase a Mini Rex from, and the ongoing costs of their care.

Bringing Home a New Mini Rex Rabbit: One-Time Costs

There are three ways to introduce a new pet to your home, and when it comes to Mini Rex rabbits, adoption or visiting a breeder are the most popular options. Whether you’re lucky enough to be given a Mini Rex for free or choose to adopt or buy one, all three methods have pros and cons.

You also have to remember that the purchase price of your pet bunny can increase if you buy a pair. The cost of the supplies you will need is also separate from the initial price for your rabbit. Unless you have supplies already, you’ll need to buy those too.

Free

As a pedigree rabbit breed, you’re unlikely to find a Mini Rex rabbit for free. If you have a friend who owns one and can no longer care for them, they might let you adopt them in their stead.

Free rabbits don’t always mean cheap. You’ll still need to pay for veterinary checkups, spaying or neutering, and their supplies. You should also consider why the rabbit is being given to you for free. They might not be pedigree animals or have health issues the original owner can’t afford to deal with.

Adoption

Of the three ways you can introduce a pet rabbit to your home, adoption is often one of the cheapest. You’ll need to pay a fee to the shelter or rescue, which can range between $10 to $150 depending on the organization, but in the long run, it is the cheaper option.

The fee will cover the shelter’s expenses for when it took the rabbit in. This often includes spaying or neutering—a procedure done on all surrendered animals—as well as any vaccinations or other care the rabbit needs before being adopted.

Breeder

A few things can change the cost of a Mini Rex rabbit if you purchase from a breeder. Rarer coat colors and markings are on the higher end of the price range and often cost around $250. The rabbit’s lineage plays a part too. For a pet Mini Rex rabbit from a champion breed line, you might need to pay over $300, depending on the breeder. On average, most Mini Rex rabbits fall somewhere in the range of $25 to $100.

Initial Setup and Supplies

If you’ve owned rabbits for a while, you won’t need to purchase as many supplies for your Mini Rex rabbit. You’ll still need a food bowl for them and ensure there are enough toys to go around if you’re introducing them to your existing bunny, but they’ll be able to share many of the supplies you have.

If you’re a first-time owner, you’ll need to spend a lot on your rabbit’s necessities. While you might be given a few freebies from a shelter or a breeder to start you off, you’ll be expected to provide for your rabbit yourself.

List of Mini Rex Rabbit Care Supplies and Costs

Here are some of the initial costs you’ll have to pay on top of your Mini Rex rabbit’s purchase price, including some of the initial and ongoing veterinary treatments:

How Much Does a Mini Rex Rabbit Cost Per Month?

They might be small, but Mini Rex rabbits can be just as expensive as cats and dogs. Even after you’ve finished setting up their home and bought your new bunny, you have their ongoing care costs to consider. These expenses will be a monthly requirement throughout your Mini Rex’s lifetime and can cost even more if you have a bonded pair.

When you plan your budget for your new bunny, remember their food, health care, grooming needs, and environmental maintenance.

Health Care

After the initial purchase price of your Mini Rex rabbit, the cost of their health care is the highest monthly expense you’ll need to meet. Their food, grooming, veterinary visits, medication, and pet insurance are essential to your rabbit’s care needs. The monthly amount you’ll spend on your rabbit will depend on how healthy they are, whether they need emergency treatments, and how much you can afford to pay for high-quality supplies.

Food

The food your Mini Rex rabbit eats plays a huge part in how healthy they are. A balanced and high-quality diet will cost much more than the cheaper options you’ll find at your local supermarket but will be much healthier. You need to consider the nutritional and individual dietary needs of your Mini Rex too.

If you’re new to rabbit ownership, you can ask your veterinarian for advice on the best foods to give them. You can expect to pay between $7–$40 per month for rabbit food.

Grooming

Your Mini Rex rabbit needs to be groomed regularly, but you’re not obligated to hire a professional groomer. It is often easier and less time-consuming to hire a groomer, but you can manage many of your rabbit’s grooming needs at home.

Provided you take the time to learn how to care for them properly, grooming sessions will help you keep your rabbit healthy and strengthen your bond. If you choose to visit a groomer, they can charge around $80 or more.

Medications and Vet Visits

Keeping your Mini Rex rabbit healthy is the best way to ensure their medical bills stay low, but you’ll need to visit your veterinarian regularly to stay on top of things. The good news is that your rabbit doesn’t need a health checkup every month unless they are sick, injured, or recovering from a previous ailment.

Veterinary visits can get expensive, especially if your rabbit gets sick suddenly. You’ll need to pay for the examination, treatment, and medication to help your rabbit recover. Never try to treat your rabbit without guidance from a veterinarian; they are delicate animals, and things can quickly take a turn for the worse.

Pet Insurance

You might think pet insurance is limited to cats and dogs, but many insurance companies cover rabbits too. The premium varies depending on the provider and the breed of your rabbit. Mini Rexes are often one of the cheaper policies due to their smaller size.

Many providers will also offer discounts for plans covering several pets, which is an excellent choice if you have more than one rabbit. Depending on your plan and provider, your premium can be anywhere in the range of $10–$35 or more per month.

Environment Maintenance

Mini Rex rabbits might look cute and unassuming, but they can be just as messy as any other pet. Keeping your house clean and rabbit-proof is an ongoing challenge with its own expenses.

Most of all, you need to keep your supply of bedding and litter stocked up. Remember that you’ll go through both quicker if you have more than one rabbit. You’ll also need supplies such as enzyme cleaners to help you clean up any accidents like peeing where they shouldn’t.

Entertainment

Toys are an important part of your Mini Rex’s life. They are playful, and the right toys can keep them active and keep them healthy by helping to maintain their teeth and claws. Your rabbit is bound to get a lot of use from their favorite toys, and you’ll need to replace broken ones regularly.

You can even find monthly subscription boxes designed for rabbits. These will supply you with new toys and treats for your Mini Rex to try out for a set fee every month. While it’s not the cheapest way to purchase toys, it’s a great way to learn more about your rabbit’s preferences. It also ensures your rabbit always has at least a few new toys to play with if their old ones break.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Mini Rex Rabbit

When you take on the responsibility of rabbit ownership, your Mini Rex rabbit will be with you for the rest of their life. Over time, their care costs will add up, and you’ll be spending just as much on them as you do yourself every month. You’ll need to prepare your budget for routine care costs and emergencies. With the right planning, you might have some left over for a nice surprise for your rabbit.

Additional Costs to Factor In

The expenses we’ve mentioned so far aren’t the only ones you should prepare for. Caring for a Mini Rex rabbit can also come with a few surprising costs.

One of the most common is the cost of pet sitting or boarding your rabbit. On average, pet sitters can charge $25–$85, depending on whether you want a short visit or an overnight stay. Boarding your rabbit at a facility will also cost a lot more. You can save some money by asking a friend or a family member to look after them, but you’ll still need to compensate them for their time.

Training equipment and treats are another possible expense you might not have considered. Mini Rex rabbits are small, but they’re just as intelligent as other rabbit breeds. You can teach them tricks with time, effort, and patience. If you’re training them for agility, you’ll need the right equipment.

Owning a Mini Rex Rabbit on a Budget

Many people assume rabbits are cheaper pets due to their size, and they’re often surprised by how much care rabbits, big or small, need. Mini Rex rabbits can be just as expensive as larger bunnies at times. While you shouldn’t take on the responsibility if you can’t afford to keep a Mini Rex, there are ways of owning them on a budget.

Take time to find the best deals on rabbit supplies. These will be frequent costs, and your first choice might not be the best one. Consider buying supplies over a few months too. Once you have everything you need, you can bring your rabbit home.

Saving Money on Mini Rex Rabbit Care

It’s always nice to buy new things, but it isn’t cost-effective sometimes. You can save money by purchasing supplies secondhand but don’t just buy the first cheap used item you see. It’s important to ensure the supplies you buy are still in good working condition and clean before giving them to your rabbit. This goes for cages, playpens, carriers, or toys.

Remember that some supplies you’ll need can’t be bought secondhand. Medication, for example, should only be purchased new and with guidance from your veterinarian.

Conclusion

Mini Rex rabbits are fun but expensive pets. Their purchase price, supplies, and veterinary visits all add up, and many of the costs are ongoing. You need to budget for all eventualities to ensure your rabbit is as happy as possible throughout their lifetime.

When purchasing your Mini Rex, consider adopting rather than visiting a breeder. You won’t have pedigree papers or a health history of the parents, but the adoption fee will cover the cost of spaying or neutering, saving you money later. Compared to a breeder’s fee, which can be between $25–$300, adoption often ranges between $10–$250 and is much more affordable.

The initial supplies and ongoing costs need to be considered as well. Your Mini Rex will likely cost up to $500 a month. If there’s an emergency vet visit, or you decide to spoil them a little, you might end up spending more.

Always take into account your current expenses before choosing a pet. Mini Rex rabbits can be expensive, but they are fun and adorable companions who will return your affection with plenty of their own.

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Featured Image Credit: Preechaya Kaewsuwan, Shutterstock