03/09/2023
Money Saving Tips When Owning A Rabbit
When delving into the world of rabbit keeping, encountering expensive costs is inevitable. We are here to share a list of the ways we save money while caring for our bunnies!
Look for some local farmers who harvest timothy or other types of grass hay. Bales of hay typically range from $8-$12 and last much longer than the $30 bags sold in pet stores. If you choose to purchase from a farmer, make sure to inspect the hay closely. There should be no mold, weeds, or insects visible, and the bales should be fragrant and fairly green.
Growing your own or harvesting greens from outside is a fantastic way to save money and add variety into your bun's diet! Lettuce and herbs are quite easy to grow, even if you don't have a green thumb! When picking anything outside for your bunny, ensure you are familiar with the area to avoid feeding anything sprayed with pesticides and always double check with a trusted source to make sure the type of plant is safe to be consumed.
Cages marketed towards small animals at the pet store are unsuitable for bunnies and extremely overpriced. A great way to provide more space for your bun while simultaneously saving money is to purchase a dog pen or NIC shelving grids. These are both affordable options especially when buying second hand, and are also useful for covering baseboards when you free roam your pet.
A cheaper alternative for litter boxes are plastic storage tubs. Here in Canada, the dollar store also sells cat litter boxes! In terms of litter, we use wood stove pellets. It is $5 for a 40 lb bag and is extremely absorptive! Some bunnies have trouble adjusting to stepping on the pellets, so in these cases we put a very light layer of hay on top for their sensitive little paws.
Crafting toys with materials you already have laying around the house is another great way to save money. This adds more variety and enrichment into your bunny's life!
While there are ways to cut back on costs when owning a rabbit, it is never a good idea to rescue this pet if you are in a tough financial situation. Booking yearly checkups can stop any health problems before they progress. Additionally, emergency trips to rabbit-savvy veterinarians are costly but unavoidable if your furry friend gets sick unexpectedly. If you aren't able to set aside a sufficient amount of funds for this purpose, a rabbit may not be the best pet for you.
