April 27, 2025, 9:33 am | Read time: 4 minutes
They are often considered simple pets, but the opposite is true. Rabbits require more than just a cage and some food. Failing to care for them properly can lead to illnesses and high veterinary costs. Here’s an overview.
They enchant with their cute appearance — especially the classic image of the adorable Easter bunny often sparks children’s desire for a rabbit. But before spontaneously acquiring a pet, there are several things to consider. These little long-eared animals have big demands. Why housing, diet, and veterinary costs for rabbits need careful consideration is explained here.
Rabbits Need Plenty of Space and Companionship
“Even small animals have big demands,” says Hester Pommerening from the German Animal Welfare Association. “A standard cage, some food, and petting are not enough.” Despite their small size, rabbits need a lot of space to satisfy their natural urge to move.
For two animals, a minimum area of six square meters is recommended, with about 20 percent more space for each additional rabbit. “The best option is to keep a group of three to five animals in a large enclosure in the garden,” says Pommerening.
A rabbit enclosure must be escape-proof, protected from predators, and provide enough hiding places. Keeping a rabbit alone is strictly to be avoided: “A solitary rabbit suffers greatly.” The most harmonious setup is when neutered males live with several females.
Improper Diet Can Become Very Expensive
Many might remember this type of rabbit care: a small hutch, a water bottle, dry food, a few potato peels, and maybe some occasional free run. However, this “classic” form does not meet rabbits’ needs. “That is not animal-friendly,” emphasizes veterinarian Sarah Pinkernell from Aachen. She reports from her practice that misunderstandings about care often lead to health problems — and how quickly these seemingly simple pets can become expensive.
To ensure rabbits are healthy, in addition to enough space and companions, the right diet is crucial. Rabbits are prone to digestive issues. “A rabbit that isn’t eating is an emergency,” explains the veterinarian. Rabbits must constantly eat to push food through their stomach and intestines. Their digestive tract has minimal muscle movement, so they essentially have a “stuffing stomach” that needs to be continuously filled with their low-energy diet. If food intake stops, the intestinal contents begin to ferment, which can lead to blockages and inflammation.
The initial treatment for an affected animal can cost around 250 euros, and surgical procedures for rabbits can exceed 1,000 euros — especially if dental issues are the cause. “A rabbit’s teeth grow throughout its life,” explains Pinkernell. In the wild, their teeth naturally wear down by eating fibrous food.
This should also be considered when feeding pets. In summer, you can collect food from the meadow yourself. “In winter, you need to buy leafy salads and vegetables,” says the veterinarian. There are also commercial providers who deliver a box of rabbit greens weekly upon request. “But that can quickly become expensive too.”
Realistically Assess Veterinary Costs for Rabbits
Health care is also costly: vaccinations against myxomatosis (rabbit plague) and Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) are essential. “Both diseases are untreatable and inevitably lead to death,” Pinkernell emphasizes. Vaccination costs are at least 60 euros per year per animal.
Additionally, rabbits should be neutered to prevent uncontrolled breeding and dominance fights. For males, this costs at least 100 euros. For females, the procedure is at least 250 euros because the abdominal cavity is opened. Pinkernell explains that it is advisable to remove the uterus in females, as they are prone to tumor formation.
“In the first year alone, veterinary costs per rabbit amount to at least 200 euros,” explains Pinkernell. For chronic conditions like dental problems, ear infections, or rabbit snuffles, costs can even reach several thousand euros a year. Rabbits with floppy ears are particularly prone to ear infections. Rabbit snuffles and dental problems especially can also lead to high treatment costs.
“Veterinary costs for rabbits can become extremely high,” the veterinarian warns. For this reason, she recommends taking out pet health insurance early. However, many insurers include special termination rights for high costs in their contracts.
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Conscious Decision for Rabbit Keeping
Despite all the challenges, Pinkernell does not generally advise against rabbits as pets. “Rabbits are fascinating,” she says. “But they are certainly not simple pets.”
However, those who choose rabbits over dogs or cats due to supposedly lower costs or effort should not consider them an easy alternative. “They require a conscious decision and a lot of time and money — but then keeping them can be a wonderful hobby.”
With material from dpa