How to Buy a Rabbit in the United States | PetzLover
To buy a rabbit in the United States, choose a seller you can visit, meet the rabbit (ideally with its mother or littermates), confirm it is at least 8 weeks old and healthy, and pay only after you have seen it in person. Plan for the long term as well: the House Rabbit Society says a well-kept indoor rabbit can live 8 to 12 years or more, and spay or neuter surgery, a rabbit-savvy vet and an RHDV2 vaccination often cost more than the rabbit.
Rabbits for sale in the US come from show breeders, small home rabbitries, 4-H families, pet stores and owners selling a single bunny. This guide helps you pick a breed and size that suits your home, ask the right questions, check the rabbit's health and avoid the deposit scams that target online buyers.
Key points
- The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) recognizes 53 breeds, from dwarf breeds of a few pounds to giants that can weigh 14 pounds or more.
- Never take home a rabbit younger than 8 weeks; some states, such as North Carolina, ban selling younger rabbits as pets.
- Ask about RHDV2 vaccination: the virus is in many US states and there is no cure.
- Budget for spay or neuter and a rabbit-savvy vet, which usually cost more than the rabbit.
- Pay only after you have seen the rabbit in person or on a live video call, and never by gift card or wire transfer.
Which rabbit breed or size is right for your home?
ARBA recognizes 53 rabbit breeds in its current Standard of Perfection, so size, coat and temperament vary a lot. Breed matters less than the individual rabbit's personality, but size changes housing, cost and handling.
| Size group | Examples | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Dwarf | Netherland Dwarf, Dwarf Hotot | Tiny and quick; easily hurt if dropped, so not for small children |
| Small to medium | Holland Lop, Mini Rex, Dutch | Popular house rabbits; need a large pen and daily exercise |
| Large and giant | Flemish Giant, Checkered Giant | Calmer with families but need a big space, a large litter box and more food; ARBA expects adult Flemish Giant does to weigh at least 14 pounds |
| Long-haired | Angora breeds, Lionhead | Need regular grooming to prevent mats and swallowed fur |
The House Rabbit Society usually recommends rabbits for older children, because most rabbits dislike being picked up and can scratch or bite when frightened. If young children live with you, it suggests a larger, more confident rabbit rather than a dwarf.
Where can you find rabbits for sale in the US?
- Breeders and rabbitries: many show their rabbits at ARBA shows and county fairs. Ask whether the litter was bred for pets, show, or meat, and how much the young rabbits have been handled.
- 4-H and fair families: young people often raise purebred rabbits as projects and sell well-handled youngsters after the season.
- Private owners: people moving or with an accidental litter. Check age and sex carefully.
- Pet stores: some cities limit this. Boston, for example, has barred pet shops from selling commercially bred rabbits since December 31, 2017.
On PetzLover you can browse rabbits for sale, filter by breed and location, and save the search to get an alert when a new matching listing appears. Message the seller through PetzLover and ask your questions before you arrange a visit.
Should you buy from a breeder or adopt from a rescue?
Both can be good choices. A breeder suits you if you want a specific breed, a young rabbit and a known background. A rescue suits you if you want an adult with a known personality who is already spayed or neutered.
| Point | Breeder or private seller | Rescue or shelter |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Usually 8 weeks to a few months | Mostly adults |
| Spay or neuter | Rarely done; you pay for it | Usually done before adoption |
| RHDV2 vaccine | Ask; often not given | Often included |
| Typical cost | Varies widely by breed and quality | House Rabbit Society chapters commonly charge about $50 to $150 |
| Personality | Still developing | Already known |
If adoption appeals, read how to adopt a rabbit. If you are offered a rabbit at no charge, see how to get a free rabbit safely.
What should you ask a rabbit seller before you buy?
- How old is the rabbit, and when was it weaned? It should be at least 8 weeks old when it leaves.
- Are you sure of its sex, and who checked? Young rabbits are often sexed wrongly, which leads to surprise litters.
- What has it been eating? Ask for a small bag of the same food and hay to switch gradually.
- Has it been vaccinated against RHDV2, and do you have the vet record?
- Has it been handled daily, and has it lived indoors or outdoors?
- Are the parents healthy, and how old are they? Any dental, eye or breathing problems in the line?
- Can I see where the rabbits are kept?
- Will you take the rabbit back if I cannot keep it?
A good breeder will ask you questions too: where the rabbit will live, whether you have a rabbit-savvy vet, and who else is in the home.
How do you check a rabbit's health before you pay?
- Bright, clear eyes and a dry nose with no discharge or sneezing
- Front teeth that meet neatly; rabbit teeth grow all the time, so misaligned teeth mean lifelong vet bills
- Clean ears with no crust or head shaking
- A clean, dry bottom and firm, round droppings
- A full, glossy coat with no bald patches, dandruff or fleas
- Alert and curious, eating hay, and moving without a limp or head tilt
Book a check-up with a vet who treats rabbits within a few days of bringing your bunny home. Many dog and cat clinics do not see rabbits, so find one before you buy.
How much does it cost to buy and keep a rabbit?
The purchase price varies widely by breed, quality and region, so compare several listings before you decide. The running costs are what surprise most new owners.
- Spay or neuter: a vet-reviewed 2026 US cost guide from Chewy puts it at about $500 to $1,200. The House Rabbit Society warns that unspayed females face a high risk of reproductive cancers.
- RHDV2 vaccine: the San Diego House Rabbit Society estimates $90 to $160 a year at a Southern California exotic vet.
- Microchip: the same rescue estimates $25 to $60.
- Yearly upkeep: unlimited grass hay (the bulk of the diet), fresh greens, pellets, litter and vet visits. The same vet-reviewed guide estimates roughly $1,700 to $3,400 a year.
Buy a large pen or exercise space rather than a small cage, plus a litter box, hay rack, water bowl and chew toys before the rabbit arrives.
How do you avoid rabbit scams?
Scammers post cute photos of rare breeds at low prices, take a deposit, then invent shipping, crate or insurance fees. The Federal Trade Commission says legitimate sellers will not require payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency, and that payment apps make it hard to get money back.
- See the rabbit in person, or at least on a live video call with the seller.
- Run a reverse image search on the photos; stolen pictures show up elsewhere.
- Be wary of sellers who will only ship and never let you visit.
- Stop paying if new fees appear after a deposit.
If a listing looks wrong, use the Report Scam button on the listing. If you lose money, report it at the FTC's ReportFraud website and to the BBB Scam Tracker.
What US laws affect buying a rabbit?
Most rules are state or local. North Carolina, for example, makes it a misdemeanor to sell or give away rabbits under 8 weeks old as pets or novelties, and some cities add pet-store limits or limits on how many animals a household can keep. Check your city and HOA rules before you buy.
At the federal level, the Animal Welfare Act lists rabbits as covered animals, so some larger breeders and dealers selling rabbits as pets need a USDA license. Rabbits raised only for food or fiber, and many small sellers, are exempt. For RHDV2, your state veterinarian's office publishes current guidance on outbreaks and vaccine access. Selling rabbits yourself later? See how to sell rabbits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old should a rabbit be before you buy it?
At least 8 weeks old. Kits are usually weaned at around 4 to 6 weeks, but leaving the litter too early stresses the gut, and several states and cities ban selling rabbits under 8 weeks as pets. A seller offering younger bunnies is a warning sign.
Are rabbits for sale cheaper than adopting?
Often not in the end. A rescue rabbit usually comes spayed or neutered, and sometimes vaccinated and microchipped, for a fee that House Rabbit Society chapters commonly set at about $50 to $150. A bought rabbit may cost less up front, but spay or neuter surgery alone can run several hundred dollars.
Should I buy one rabbit or two?
Rabbits are social, and many do best with a bonded companion. Two rabbits should both be spayed or neutered, or you will soon have a litter. Buying an already bonded pair is easier than bonding strangers later.
Do pet rabbits need vaccines in the US?
Ask your vet about RHDV2. USDA reports the virus kills 50 to 100 percent of infected rabbits and has spread to domestic and wild rabbits in numerous states. A USDA conditionally licensed vaccine is available through veterinarians.
Can rabbits live outdoors?
The House Rabbit Society recommends keeping rabbits indoors, where they are safer from predators, heat and disease and tend to live longer. Rabbits handle heat poorly, which matters in much of the US in summer. Indoor rabbits can be litter trained.
How do I contact a seller on PetzLover?
Open the listing and message the seller through the site. Ask about age, sex, health and vaccination before you visit, and keep the conversation on the site until you have met the rabbit.
Helpful guides
Pet for SaleHow to Sell Rabbits in the United StatesSell rabbits in the US by following state age rules, selling only healthy rabbits 8 weeks or older, writing an honest ad, screening buyers and taking payment in person at handover.
Pet for FreeHow to Get a Free Rabbit Safely in the United StatesA free rabbit is rarely free: check age, sex and health, never pay a shipping fee to a stranger, and budget for spay or neuter, a rabbit vet and an RHDV2 vaccine.
Pet for FreeHow to Give Away a Rabbit for Free Without Risk in the United StatesGive away a rabbit safely in the US by being honest about its health, screening every applicant, signing a simple rehoming agreement and handing it over in person.
Pet for AdoptionHow to Adopt a Rabbit in the United StatesAdopt a rabbit in the US through a rabbit rescue or shelter: apply, meet the rabbits, pay a fee that usually covers spay or neuter, and prepare an indoor pen before day one.
Pet for AdoptionHow to List a Rabbit for Adoption in the United StatesList a rabbit for adoption in the US with clear adopter criteria, a fair fee, an application and meeting, a written contract and a check-in after the rabbit goes home.
Pet for RehomingHow to Take In a Rehomed Rabbit in the United StatesTake in a rehomed rabbit in the US by asking about its history, health and habits, meeting it at home, getting its records and food, and giving it a quiet few weeks to settle.
Pet for RehomingHow to Rehome Your Rabbit Responsibly in the United StatesRehome your rabbit in the US with an honest listing, full health and behavior disclosure, a fair fee, careful screening and an in-person handover with records and food.
Pet WantedHow to Respond to a "Rabbit Wanted" Ad in the United StatesReply to a rabbit wanted ad in the US by checking the request fits your rabbit, describing it honestly, asking the requester about their home, and handing over in person only.
Pet WantedHow to Post a "Rabbit Wanted" Ad and Get Replies in the United StatesPost a rabbit wanted ad in the US that says what rabbit you want, your budget, your area and your home, then check replies carefully and never pay before you meet the rabbit.