The Continental Giant rabbit, affectionately known as the Conti, is unsurprisingly popular due to its immense size and docile nature. They are the largest rabbit in the world, with some coming in at over 4 feet long! If you are looking for a giant rabbit that stands out from the crowd, is easy-going, and is easy to train, the Conti is a great choice. However, ownership doesn’t come for free, and it’s essential to be financially prepared to care for a breed that’s bigger than the average bunny.
Bringing Home a New Continental Giant Rabbit: One-Time Costs
The price of a Continental Giant Rabbit will depend on its age, quality, where you live, and where you are purchasing it from. One-time costs are items you will only need to buy once for your pet. They can include your rabbit’s hutch, which will be much larger for a Conti, food and water bowls, bedding, litter box, toys, carrier, health check, microchipping, and spaying or neutering.
Free
You can sometimes get lucky and locate a free rabbit for adoption. Some first-time owners will purchase a rabbit and soon realize they don’t have the means to care for it or have to move and can’t take their pet with them. They may be willing to part with their rabbit if they believe you’re a responsible pet owner, and if they aren’t planning on using the rabbit’s equipment and supplies again, you may get a deal on a hutch, toys, food, or other items.
Adoption
You may be able to find a Continental Giant Rabbit that has been surrendered to a shelter, perhaps for the same reasons as we mentioned above. Some shelters may have questions to ensure you meet their criteria for adoption, such as if you have cared for a rabbit before or have enough room for a hutch. The adoption fee will vary depending on where you find your Conti, but most rabbits will cost under $100 from a shelter.
Breeder
The price of a Conti from a breeder will vary depending on the breeder, but they can cost $250–$500 on average. There is also a high demand for this breed, so you may have to wait and look around for breeders. You may be put on a waiting list, and even if prospective owners in front of you decide to pass, a waiting period of 1–2 years is not unheard of. Some breeders may also have a limit on the number of babies per litter due to the growing demand for this breed.
It is essential to do your research to find a reputable breeder. They should be able to provide you with information about the rabbit’s health, history, and temperament.
Initial Setup and Supplies
After you know you will be bringing a Conti home, you need to consider the cost of getting your rabbit set up and the supplies you may need. Your rabbit’s hutch will be a more substantial purchase than the other supplies since you need one that is larger than an average rabbit hutch. The cost of these items or services depends on the size or amount you are buying. For example, you could buy bulk hay or bedding, which can save money long term. Veterinary care prices can also vary depending on where you live.
List of Continental Giant Rabbit Care Supplies and Costs
| Hutch | $150–$400 |
| Bedding | $10–$25 |
| Pellets | $12–$15 |
| Hay | $6–$60 |
| Litter box | $10-$20 |
| Food and water bowls | $6–$20 |
| Vet visit | $50–$150 |
| Microchip | $20–$45 |
| Spay/neuter | $75–$250 |
| Carrier | $20–$30 |
| Toys | $5–$50 |
| Vaccinations | $30–$50 |
How Much Does a Continental Giant Rabbit Cost Per Month?
Most of your monthly costs will go to food and bedding. If you buy in bulk, you may not have to stock up every month. It is also recommended to put away a small amount of extra cash every month to save for any unforeseen or emergency costs that may incur later down the line.
Health Care
Rabbits are considered exotic pets, and they may cost a little more for routine vet visits as they require specialized care that not all vets can provide. However, keeping your rabbit healthy and well-groomed in sanitary conditions can help reduce veterinary expenses. A healthy diet will be your highest monthly cost, along with replacing bedding and providing hay to keep your rabbit’s teeth filed down. A regular check-up with the vet can cost $50–$150. This price varies between vets and will also be determined by where you live.
Food
Because Continentals are a larger breed of rabbit, they require more food. They need fresh hay, leafy vegetables, and a small portion of pellets. You need to ensure they have access to hay daily since it makes up 70%-80% of their diet and is vital for filling down their teeth. If their teeth get too long, you have to take them to the vet to get filed down.
We suggest buying hay in bulk to ensure you don’t run out. You can purchase 25 pounds of hay for around $60. The exact amount of food a Conti needs will vary for each rabbit, but the general rule of thumb for hay is “the more, the better.”
Grooming
Grooming costs will depend on whether you learn to groom your rabbit yourself or get a professional. Either way, their grooming needs are minimal and won’t cost much money. A professional groomer can cost $15–$40, but you won’t need to visit them monthly.
Medications and Vet Visits
Ideally, a well-cared rabbit won’t need monthly vet visits or mediations, but having some money set aside in case of an emergency is helpful.
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance is always a wise decision to ensure your pet can receive the necessary care. However, only a few companies insure rabbits, so your options are limited. The price of an insurance policy will vary depending on the insurance company, the package you choose, and how customizable the plan is.
Pet insurance, while highly recommended, is optional. You can also put money aside every month to cover any unexpected costs. However, if your rabbit falls seriously ill or needs to be hospitalized, the costs can add up quickly, and insurance can help you pay for expensive procedures.
Environment Maintenance
Your rabbit bedding and litter will need replacing every few days to ensure the living space is hygienic and comfortable. Hay can also be considered part of environmental maintenance since you want to provide a constant supply while replacing the old hay. Conti’s need around two inches of non-toxic bedding in their enclosure, and their litter must be replaced regularly to remain sanitary. You could also add liners to your budget to prevent odors and leaks, but they are optional.
| Habitat liners | $10–15/month |
| Litter | $10–20/month |
| Bedding | $10–$25/month |
Entertainment
Your large Conti will need to be mentally and physically stimulated every day. You can provide your pet with various toys that you can alternate to keep things exciting and prevent boredom. They will also eventually get destroyed and will need replacing every few months.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Continental Giant Rabbit
Your monthly costs for owning a Continental Giant Rabbit can vary significantly depending on how you buy, what you buy, and what you choose to provide for your rabbit. They can be as low as $50 and as high as $500. However, we advise spending more on food, health care, and environmental maintenance to maintain your rabbit’s health.
Additional Costs to Factor In
There are other costs you may not have to worry about, but it is wise to factor them in and be prepared.
Boarding or Pet Sitting
If you decide to go on vacation, you will likely be unable to take your rabbit with you, which means you will require boarding or pet sitting. These costs are usually charged daily, so the final amount will depend on how long you are away. Boarding or pet sitting can cost $20–$35 a day.
Damage
If your rabbit ends up bored, lonely, or under-stimulated, it can lead to destructive behaviors such as digging on the carpet or chewing on things it shouldn’t chew on. Eventually, the items will need replacing or repairing, which can vary widely in costs depending on the damage.
Owning a Continental Giant Rabbit on a Budget
As you can see, the monthly cost of owning a Conti can vary significantly because there are many ways you can save. Here are some ways you can own one of these popular rabbits on a budget:
Saving Money on Continental Giant Rabbit Care
While you don’t want to skimp on your rabbit’s care costs, there are still ways you can save money:
Conclusion
The one-time and monthly costs for owning a Continental Giant Rabbit can vary significantly depending on many factors. Your Conti can range from $0–$500, depending on whether you adopt or find a reputable breeder. The start-up costs can also vary, but they will generally cost more than your monthly costs and depend on what your rabbit needs. You can save costs in many areas, such as finding secondhand items like bowls and carriers and building the toys and hutch. With a bit of financial savviness and preparation, nearly anyone can afford to care for the remarkable Continental Giant.
Featured Image Credit: Stephen Clarke, Shutterstock
