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Rabbit Owner Shopping List — Keeping Rabbits
Everything you need before bringing your rabbit home
🏠 Housing& Enclosure
- Look for: Minimum 12 sq ft of space. Wire panels with 1-inch spacing. Easy to reconfigurable. ~$30-60
- Look for: Low sides so rabbit can hop in easily. At least 15x20 inches. Plastic or metal. ~$15-25
- Look for: Solid floor (not wire). Big enough to stretch out in. Wood or ceramic. ~$15-30
- Look for: Solid color or simple pattern. Machine washable. Provides traction for bunny feet. ~$15-40
- Look for: Waterproof backing. Useful under rugs or in litter box area. ~$10-20
🚽 Litter & Bedding
- Look for: Dust-free, unscented. Paper pellets or shredded paper. Avoid cedar/pine shavings. ~$15-25
- Look for: Soft, dust-free, absorbent. Provides warmth and comfort. ~$10-15
- Look for: Washable, reusable. Good for x-pen floors. Requires spare set while washing. ~$20-35
- Look for: Metal or hard plastic. For daily litter maintenance. ~$5-10
🥬 Food & Hay
- Look for: Fresh, green, sweet-smelling. Second cutting is softest. This is 80% of your rabbit's diet. ~$15-25
- Look for: Keeps hay off floor and clean. Metal or wooden. Hay nets should have large openings. ~$10-20
- Look for: Timothy-based, no seeds/dried fruit. 18-20% fiber, under 14% protein. Plain green pellets. ~$10-20
- Look for: Good for variety and picky eaters. Can mix with Timothy hay. ~$12-20
- Look for: Plain dried mint, basil, rosemary, or chamomile. No added sugar or oils. ~$5-10
💧 Water & Bowls
- Look for: Heavy base so rabbit can't tip it. At least 12-16 oz capacity. Glazed ceramic is easiest to clean. ~$8-15
- Look for: Second identical bowl. Always have clean water available. ~$8-15
- Look for: Weighted bottom, hard to tip. 4-6 inch diameter. Easy to clean. ~$5-10
- Look for: Hang-on bottle for carrier travel. Not primary source — rabbits prefer bowls. ~$5-10
✨ Grooming Supplies
- Look for: Slicker brush for long hair, rubber curry for short hair. Reduces shedding and hairballs. ~$5-15
- Look for: Scissor-style for small nails. Guillotine type also works. Keep styptic powder nearby. ~$5-10
- Look for: Stops bleeding if you cut too short. Also called "Kwik Stop." Essential for nail trims. ~$5-8
- Look for: For lionheads, angoras, and satins. Prevents matting behind ears and under chin. ~$8-15
- Look for: Soft, damp cloth for cleaning tear stains or dusty eyes. No chemicals needed. ~$5
🎾 Enrichment & Toys
- Look for: Untreated, natural wood. Helps wear down teeth. Apple wood sticks are ideal. ~$10-20
- Look for: Cardboard tunnel or fabric tunnel. Rabbits love to run through and hide. ~$10-25
- Look for: Plain cardboard — no tape, no ink on heavily printed boxes. Free and beloved by rabbits. ~$0-5
- Look for: Untreated wood. Creates vertical space in x-pen. Great for bunnies who love to climb. ~$15-25
- Look for: Seagrass or timothy hay woven mats. Edible and fun to chew. ~$8-15
- Look for: Wooden or bamboo puzzle toys. Stuff with hay for boredom buster. ~$8-15
🏥 Health & First Aid
- Look for: Weighs in grams and ounces. Essential for weekly weight monitoring. ~$15-25
- Look for: Include styptic powder, saline solution, gauze, soft bandages, digital thermometer. ~$10-20
- Look for: Hard plastic carrier with good ventilation. Large enough to lie down. Easy to clean. ~$20-40
- Look for: Microwaveable or low-level electric. For shock, hypothermia, or comfort. Never wire-based unsupervised. ~$15-25
- Look for: Oxbow Critical Care, 60cc syringes. For emergencies when rabbit won't eat. ~$15-25
- Look for: Find an exotic animal vet before you need one. Keep number posted visibly. ~$0
📋 Documents & Records
- Look for: Proof of adoption, breeder info, vaccination records if applicable. ~$0
- Look for: Simple notebook or our printable care log. Track weight, eating, and behavior. ~$0-5
- Look for: Wallet card or posted note with 24/7 emergency vet number. ~$0
- Look for: Keep posted in kitchen or near food prep area. Know what rabbits cannot eat. ~$0
- Look for: Nationwide, Trupanion, or similar exotic pet coverage. Prevents hard financial decisions. ~$20-30/month
💰 Estimated Total: $200-400
You don't need everything on day one. Start with the essentials: housing, hay, water bowl, litter box, and one toy. Add the rest over the first few weeks as you learn what your rabbit prefers.
