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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
Rabbits are very popular pets in the UK. A population of approximately a million live in 1.6% of UK households: a figure that rose considerably in 2020 and 2021.
Unfortunately, that rise in population has led to a sharp increase in the number of rabbits being relinquished, and there are now an estimated 100,000 rabbits being handed over to shelters and rescues every year. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that rabbits are readily available to buy in garden centres, as well as pet shops.
It costs around £8,000 to keep a rabbit throughout its life and despite the burgeoning population of rabbits, and the fact they can reproduce as soon as they are born, only 58% of rabbits are neutered.
Below are 16 statistics related to the UK pet rabbit population, including figures relating to the welfare of the rabbits and the conditions they are kept in.
The 16 Pet Rabbit Statistics
- There are 1 million pet rabbits in the UK.
- 1.6% of British households keep rabbits.
- Rabbits are the fifth most popular pet.
- A pet rabbit will cost its owner around £8,000 over its life.
- A third of owners get their rabbits from pet shops and garden centres.
- A third of rabbits are kept in inadequate housing conditions.
- Half of UK rabbits are kept alone.
- 42% of rabbits are unneutered.
- Half a million pet rabbits do not receive regular vaccination boosters.
- Approximately a quarter of British pet rabbits are microchipped.
- Rabbit insurance starts at around £100 a year.
- 42% of vets identify poor diet as the biggest welfare issue in rabbits.
- Less than three-quarters of rabbit owners feed hay as a main food source.
- Only 37% of owners know their rabbit’s weight.
- Approximately 100,000 rabbits end up in shelters every year.
- There has been a 48% increase in the number of rabbits being relinquished.
Rabbit Population
1. There are 1 million pet rabbits in the UK.
(UK Pet Food)
Rabbits can make great pets. They don’t need walking, they can be very sociable, and they’re fun to watch. However, they need a lot of socialisation and handling if you want a cuddly rabbit, they do need stimulation and regular care, and while they can make good first-time pets for children, adults must take responsibility for ensuring that they are getting the care and welfare they require.
Such is their suitability as a family pet, there is a population of around one million pet rabbits in the UK.
2. 1.6% of British households keep rabbits.
(UK Pet Food)
There are around 28 million households in the UK and approximately 1.6% of these households keep rabbits as pets. Rabbits can struggle when they are kept alone, and it is recommended that owners keep at least two together, although many owners still keep solitary rabbits.
3. Rabbits are the fifth most popular pet.
(UK Pet Food)
There are 13.5 million dogs and 12.5 million cats in the UK, making them the most popular pet species. There are also 1.5 million indoor birds and 1.3 million domestic fowl. Rabbits come next on the list, with a population of 1 million. Tortoises and turtles, and then horses and ponies, are the next most popular pets, with populations of 700,000 each.
4. A pet rabbit will cost its owner around £8,000 over its life.
(PDSA 1)
Generally, a pet rabbit that is well cared for, has appropriate housing and is given an appropriate diet, will live around ten years. Some can live much longer than this, however, and lifespan is one of the factors that primarily governs how much a pet rabbit will cost over its life.
Owners should expect to pay just under £1,000 per year, with the average lifetime cost of keeping one pet rabbit equating to around £8,000.
5. A third of owners got their rabbits from pet shops and garden centres.
(Statista)
The rabbits that are kept as pets have been domesticated over generations, which has led to the dilution of some of their prey tendencies. As such, wild rabbits and pet rabbits have very different temperaments, and you should never keep wild rabbits as pets. There are lots of sources of pet rabbits including breeders, pet shops, rescues, and even garden centres. There are also a lot of unplanned litters, which means that a lot of pet rabbits are from classified ads and directly from owners.
Pet shops and garden centres are where most pet rabbits in the UK come from, with a third of owners getting their pets from these suppliers. 14% came from breeders, with another 14% from shelters. 40% of owners said their pet rabbits came from “other” sources which includes classified ads, friends and family, and even as a result of breeding their own rabbits.
Rabbit Welfare
6. A third of rabbits are kept in inadequate housing conditions.
(University of Liverpool)
Rabbits need a lot of space to move around. They should be given regular access to a run that measures three metres by two metres and a hutch that is six feet by two feet. There is no such thing as too much space for rabbits, so if you can get something bigger, the rabbits will benefit.
However, there is such a thing as too little space. Too little space means too little exercise which leads to obesity and a host of illnesses and conditions that are associated with being overweight. Approximately one-third of all pet rabbits in the UK are kept in inadequate housing, with the main problem being that the hutch or enclosure is not big enough.
7. Half of UK rabbits are kept alone.
(University of Liverpool)
Rabbits are social animals that, in the wild, live in families of up to 30 rabbits, with many of these families living close to one another. It is generally recommended that pet rabbits are kept in groups of at least two, and owners that do keep single rabbits must be prepared to spend a lot of time providing companionship for their pets.
Approximately half of the pet rabbits kept in the UK are kept alone.
8. 42% of rabbits are unneutered.
(PDSA 2)
Rabbits can reproduce from birth, have as many as half a dozen litters a year, and will typically have around six kits in each litter. This means that a single female rabbit can produce 36 rabbits in a year, and the number can be a lot higher in some instances.
A doe can breed for 4 or 5 years, so left unneutered, one female rabbit could produce hundreds of kits, adding further strain to the already burgeoning population of rabbits. Despite this, 42% are unneutered.
9. Half a million pet rabbits do not receive regular vaccination boosters.
(PDSA 2)
Myxomatosis, Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease, and Rabbits Haemorrhagic Disease 2 are untreatable diseases that are easily spread and cause the death of rabbits. While these conditions cannot be treated, there are effective vaccinations that can be given.
For the vaccinations to remain effective, the rabbits should be given regular boosters. Despite their importance, approximately half of the UK’s rabbit population does not receive the required boosters.
10. Approximately a quarter of British pet rabbits are microchipped.
(PDSA 2)
Microchipping is common in cats and dogs. It is also available for rabbits, and because rabbits are athletic and talented at escaping, it is recommended that pet rabbits are microchipped. Despite the importance of microchipping, only a quarter of a million pet rabbits in the country are chipped.
11. Rabbit insurance starts at around £100 a year.
(Nimble Fins)
There are lots of costs associated with keeping rabbits, with potentially one of the largest being veterinary costs. Rabbits can get ill, and many are involved in accidents, with the cost of treatment soon mounting up.
Pet insurance can help meet unexpected vet bills, easing the financial burden of keeping pet rabbits. Policies start from around £100 a year.
12. 42% of vets identify poor diet as the biggest welfare issue in rabbits.
(PDSA 3)
Rabbits are often seen as being easy pets to keep. While it is true that they don’t need walking, like dogs do, they do still require plenty of space and they need socialisation. They also need to be given a good quality diet that is species-appropriate, and, in one survey, 42% of vets identified poor diet as the single biggest welfare issue faced by the pet rabbit population.
13. Less than three-quarters of rabbit owners feed hay as a main food source.
(PDSA 3)
The primary constituent part of a rabbit’s diet should be hay. In the wild, rabbits would graze on grass and hay all day long, eating relatively small amounts of greens and plants. In captivity, owners should try to replicate this diet as closely as possible, with hay being the primary food source.
It enables rabbits to grind their teeth, which continue to grow throughout their lives, naturally, and it contains adequate levels of fibre. Despite it being such an important part of a rabbit’s diet, less than three-quarters of owners report feeding it as the main component in the diet of their rabbits.
14. Only 37% of owners know their rabbit’s weight.
(PDSA 3)
Obesity is a big problem in rabbits, especially those that are not given enough space or regular exercise. Obesity increases the likelihood of rabbits developing diseases of the heart, liver, and kidneys. It also increases the risk of developing cancer and a host of other conditions.
Rabbits are easier to weigh than a lot of other pets. Weigh a tub or box without the rabbit in and then with the rabbit. The difference between the two weights is how much the rabbit weighs. Just over a third of rabbit owners do not know the weight of their pet.
Rabbits In Care
15. Approximately 100,000 rabbits end up in shelters every year.
(Rabbit Welfare)
There is a massive overpopulation problem when it comes to rabbits. They breed quickly, owners are not prepared for the amount of care they require, and they are often taken on as a first pet for children, which can lead to abandonment if the child loses interest or when they leave home.
The number of rabbits being relinquished to shelters and rescues increased dramatically in 2020 and 2021, and approximately 100,000 are now handed over to shelters every year.
16. There has been a 48% increase in the number of rabbits being relinquished.
(RSPCA)
In 2020 and 2021, the world saw a lot of experienced and first-time owners taking on new pet rabbits. In fact, the number of new rabbits doubled during this period, according to some estimates: a figure that is higher than in both dogs and cats.
Since Covid lockdowns have ended, a lot of new rabbit owners have struggled to find the time to properly care for their rabbits and this has seen a 48% increase in the number that are being relinquished to shelters across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do rabbits make good pets?
Rabbits can make very good pets, but they do need appropriate care and socialisation. They need to be provided with an adequately sized hutch and additional room for exercise. They need balanced diets, with hay being the primary food source.
Rabbits generally do better when kept with other rabbits, and if owners keep single rabbits, they will need to spend a lot more time socialising with their pets. Regular handling from a young age will also help ensure they are more sociable and accepting of people.
At what age can rabbits reproduce?
Rabbits can reproduce virtually from birth and does will continue to reproduce for around four or five years, potentially having several litters a year during this time.
It is vital that young rabbits are separated, by gender, at birth, to prevent accidental pregnancies, and pet owners should have their rabbits neutered as soon as the vet recommends it.
How much space does a rabbit need?
Rabbits need to be given ample living space, as well as additional exercise space. When keeping two rabbits, the minimum ideal size for a hutch is 6 x 2 metres and 2 metres tall. An additional run, measuring at least 3 metres by 2 metres, is also required.
Conclusion
Rabbits are popular pets in the UK, with a population of approximately one million, in total. They are viewed as being good first pets for children, but adults do need to take on the responsibility of ensuring proper care is provided.
Adequate space, company, and a healthy diet are all requirements to ensure a healthy and happy pet rabbit.
