Buying a rabbit: costs, pairs, housing and where to get one
What rabbits cost to buy on Mypetzilla, why they should live in pairs, how much space they need, the vaccinations they need every year, and how to choose between a breeder and a rescue.
This guidance applies across the UK.
The short answer
On Mypetzilla, the typical asking price for a rabbit was about £45 in 2022 and 2023. The price is the smallest cost. The RSPCA says rabbits live 8 to 12 years, should live with at least one other friendly rabbit, and need a space of at least 3m by 2m by 1m high, so a hutch alone isn't enough. They need vaccinations against myxomatosis and both strains of RVHD every year, and their diet should be mostly hay.
Key considerations
- 01Rabbits live 8 to 12 years, so a rabbit is a long commitment.
- 02Rabbits are social and should live with at least one other friendly rabbit. A neutered male and a neutered female often get on well.
- 03The RSPCA recommends a space of at least 3m by 2m by 1m high. A hutch alone isn't enough.
- 04Rabbits need yearly vaccinations against myxomatosis and both strains of RVHD, including rabbits kept indoors.
Rabbits are one of the most popular pets in the UK and one of the most searched-for on Mypetzilla. They are cheap to buy, but they are not a low-cost or low-effort pet. This guide covers the price you can expect to pay and, more importantly, what rabbits need.
How much does a rabbit cost to buy?
These figures come from rabbit-for-sale adverts placed on Mypetzilla between 2014 and 2025. They are asking prices, not the price a buyer finally paid. We left out adverts with no price and obvious mistakes. We show the median price, where half of adverts asked less and half asked more.
| Period | Adverts | Typical asking price | Middle half of adverts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 to 2019 | 52 | £30 | £25 to £50 |
| 2020 to 2021 | 50 | £50 | £30 to £64 |
| 2022 to 2025 | 22 | £45 | £31 to £50 |
By breed, across all years from 2017 to 2023:
| Breed | Adverts | Typical asking price |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Lop | 34 | £50 |
| Mixed breed | 34 | £30 |
| Rex | 10 | £32 |
| Lionhead | 8 | £28 |
| Netherland Dwarf | 7 | £35 |
Some breeds had only a handful of adverts, so treat these as a rough guide.
The real cost is in the care
The price of the rabbit is small compared with what it costs to keep one properly. Budget for:
- a large, secure enclosure and shelter
- hay every day, plus fresh greens and a small amount of pellets
- vaccinations every year
- neutering
- pet insurance, or savings for vet bills
- a second rabbit, if you don't already have one
Rabbits need company
Rabbits are social animals. The RSPCA advises that they should live with at least one other friendly rabbit, and that a neutered male and a neutered female is often a good combination. Even so, the RSPCA reports that 42% of pet rabbits in the UK lived alone in 2024.
Getting two rabbits that are already bonded is the easiest way to start. Many rescues rehome bonded pairs that are already neutered and vaccinated. If you buy young rabbits, make sure their sex has been checked by someone experienced: the RSPCA notes that a female rabbit can get pregnant from about 4 months old.
Rabbits need much more space than a hutch
The RSPCA recommends a space of at least 3m by 2m by 1m high for a pair of rabbits, so they can run, jump, stand up on their back legs and stretch out. A hutch can be part of this as a shelter, but a hutch alone isn't enough.
Rabbits can live indoors or outdoors. Outdoor rabbits need protection from predators, bad weather and heat. Indoor rabbits need a safe, rabbit-proofed area and time out of their enclosure every day.
Hay should be most of their diet
A rabbit's teeth never stop growing. The RSPCA says they grow 2mm to 3mm a week and are worn down by chewing hay and grass. Rabbits need hay or grass available all the time, as most of their diet, with some fresh leafy greens and a small amount of rabbit pellets. Muesli-style foods are not recommended. Read caring for your rabbit for more on feeding.
Vaccinations every year
The PDSA recommends vaccinating all rabbits against three serious diseases:
- myxomatosis
- rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease 1 (RVHD-1)
- rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease 2 (RVHD-2)
Rabbits can have their first vaccination from about 5 weeks old, then need boosters every year. Some vaccines cover all three diseases in one injection; others need a separate RVHD-2 vaccine given at least two weeks apart. Your vet will advise. Indoor rabbits need vaccinating too, because these diseases can be carried in on hay, clothes and by insects. Read ways to look after your rabbit's health.
Breeder or rescue?
Rescues and rehoming centres often have rabbits of all ages, including bonded pairs. Most will neuter, vaccinate and health check them before rehoming, which can save you money. You can browse rabbits for adoption on Mypetzilla.
If you buy from a breeder or a private seller:
- see the rabbits where they live, with their mother if they are young
- ask how old they are. They should be fully weaned before they leave
- check their sex, and whether they have been neutered or vaccinated
- look for clean eyes, nose and bottom, and teeth that meet properly
- ask what they have been eating, and change their diet slowly
You can browse rabbits for sale on Mypetzilla.
Before you decide
- Do you have room for a secure enclosure of at least 3m by 2m by 1m high, indoors or outdoors?
- Can you take on two rabbits for 8 to 12 years, including vaccinations and neutering?
- Have you checked rescues, which often have bonded pairs already neutered and vaccinated?
- Do you know the sex of each rabbit, and has it been checked by someone experienced?
Questions readers ask
How much is a rabbit in the UK?
On Mypetzilla, the typical asking price for a rabbit was about £45 in 2022 and 2023, with half of adverts between £31 and £50. Mini Lops were typically about £50 and mixed breeds about £30. Budget much more for housing, vaccinations and neutering.
Can a rabbit live alone?
The RSPCA advises that rabbits should live with at least one other friendly rabbit. They are social animals, and a neutered male and neutered female is often a good pairing.
Sources: How to look after a pet rabbit
How long do rabbits live?
The RSPCA says pet rabbits usually live between 8 and 12 years, so think about whether you can care for them for that long.
Sources: How to look after a pet rabbit
Do indoor rabbits need vaccinations?
Yes. The PDSA recommends vaccinating indoor rabbits against myxomatosis, RVHD-1 and RVHD-2, because the diseases can be brought into the home on hay, clothing or by insects.
Sources: Rabbit vaccines
Sources and further reading
- How to look after a pet rabbit, RSPCA. Accessed
- Rabbit diseases and vaccinations, RSPCA. Accessed
- Rabbit vaccines, PDSA. Accessed
About this article
- Written by Mypetzilla Editorial Team
- Published
This article is general pet advice, not veterinary or legal advice. If your pet is unwell, speak to a vet.
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