So, you’re looking for a floppy-eared roommate and you're wondering how much is a bunny rabbit at PetSmart. It’s a logical question. You go there for kibble, you go there for goldfish, so why wouldn’t you go there for a rabbit?
Here is the thing. You actually can't just walk into a PetSmart and buy a rabbit from a glass cage like you would a hamster or a guinea pig.
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PetSmart hasn't sold rabbits in their stores as "merchandise" for years. Instead, they partner with local rescues and shelters through PetSmart Charities. This means the price isn't a fixed retail sticker set by a corporate office in Phoenix. It's an adoption fee. Usually, you're looking at anywhere from $25 to over $150. Honestly, the "price" of the rabbit is the cheapest part of this entire endeavor. If you’re worried about whether the rabbit costs $50 or $70, the vet bills are going to give you a real heart attack later.
Why PetSmart Doesn't Have a Standard Price Tag
Retail giants like PetSmart and Petco shifted away from the "rabbit in a box" model because, frankly, rabbits are high-maintenance. They are the third most surrendered animal to shelters. People buy them for Easter because they're cute, realize they chew through expensive MacBook chargers, and then dump them.
Because PetSmart hosts adoption events rather than selling "inventory," the cost is dictated by the specific rescue group that happens to be in the store that weekend.
One Saturday, you might find a local rabbit rescue at the front of the store with a bonded pair of Holland Lops. They might ask for a $150 adoption fee for the pair. The next week, it might be a municipal animal shelter with a New Zealand White for $30.
What’s actually in that fee?
When you pay an adoption fee through a PetSmart partner, you aren't just paying for the fur. Most of the time, that fee covers the spay or neuter surgery. This is massive. If you were to take a "free" rabbit from a neighbor and go to an exotic vet yourself, you'd easily spend $250 to $600 on that surgery alone.
Rescues also usually handle the initial RHDV2 vaccinations, which are becoming mandatory in many states as that virus spreads. You're getting a "vetted" animal, which is why the price fluctuates.
The Real Cost: It Isn't the Rabbit
Let's talk about the math nobody wants to do while looking at a cute bunny. If you're asking how much is a bunny rabbit at PetSmart, you need to be looking at the aisle right behind the adoption crates.
The setup cost is where the wallet starts to smoke.
Rabbits shouldn't live in those tiny plastic cages sold in the "Small Pet" aisle. Most experts, including those at the House Rabbit Society, recommend an x-pen (exercise pen) meant for dogs. That's $50. Then you need a litter box, but not a tiny one—a cat litter box works best. That’s $15. You need hay. Lots of hay. You'll spend $20 a month on Timothy hay at a minimum.
Then there is the flooring. Rabbits can’t live on hardwood; they have no pads on their feet and will slide around like they're on an ice rink, which eventually causes joint issues. You’ll need rugs or foam mats.
The "Exotic" Tax
Something most first-time owners miss is that rabbits are considered "exotic" pets. Your neighborhood vet who sees dogs and cats all day probably won't touch a rabbit. Or if they do, they might not actually know what they’re doing.
You need a specialist.
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An annual exam for a rabbit usually starts around $80 and can climb to $150 depending on your zip code. If the rabbit stops eating for even twelve hours, it’s an emergency. It’s called GI Stasis. An emergency vet visit for stasis on a Sunday night? You’re looking at a $500 to $1,200 bill just to get them stabilized.
Finding the Right One at Your Local Store
Since PetSmart works with various rescues, the "inventory" is unpredictable. Some stores have permanent adoption centers where cats and sometimes rabbits live. Others only have animals during weekend events.
The best way to find out the current "price" or availability is to use the Petfinder tool, which PetSmart Charities powers. You can filter by "Small & Furry" and put in your zip code. It will show you which rabbits are currently being hosted at PetSmart locations near you.
Does breed affect the price?
In a retail setting, yes, a Lionhead or a Mini Lop would be "premium." In an adoption setting at PetSmart, usually not. Rescues tend to have flat fees based on the rabbit's age or whether they are part of a bonded pair.
Speaking of pairs, you should almost always get two. Rabbits are intensely social. A lonely rabbit is a destructive rabbit. Two rabbits don't cost twice as much to house, but they do cost twice as much for medical care.
The "Easter" Warning
If you are reading this in March, wait.
Every year, shelters see a massive influx of rabbits in May and June. These are the "Easter Bunnies" that kids got bored with. If you wait until then, not only will the "price" potentially be lower because shelters are over-capacity, but you'll be saving a life that is literally out of options.
Preparing Your Home Before You Ask About Price
Before you worry about the $40 adoption fee, you need to "bunny proof." Rabbits have teeth that never stop growing. They are biologically driven to chew. Baseboards? Destroyed. Internet cables? Snipped in a second.
You’ll need to spend about $30 to $50 on cord protectors and plastic barriers. If you don't, the "cost" of the rabbit will include the price of a new 65-inch television when the power cord gets severed.
Actionable Steps for Potential Owners
If you're serious about bringing a rabbit home from a PetSmart adoption event, don't just show up with a cardboard box. Do this instead:
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- Find a Vet First: Call around and ask "Do you see lagomorphs?" If they say "What's that?", hang up. Find a vet that specializes in exotics and ask what their standard exam fee is.
- Skip the Starter Kit: Most "rabbit starter kits" sold in stores are too small. Buy a 36-inch tall exercise pen instead. It gives them room to hop and stand up on their hind legs.
- Check Petfinder: Look for the specific PetSmart location you plan to visit to see which rescue they partner with. Read that rescue's specific adoption requirements. Some require a home visit or photos of your setup.
- Budget for the Long Haul: Assume the rabbit will live 10 to 12 years. At roughly $600 to $800 a year in food, litter, and basic hay, that’s an $8,000 commitment.
Understanding how much is a bunny rabbit at PetSmart is really about understanding the difference between a purchase and an adoption. You aren't buying a toy; you're paying a fee to help a nonprofit cover the cost of rescuing an animal. It’s a small entry price for a very long-term, very rewarding, and occasionally very expensive friendship.