By Jane Smith, Rabbit Behaviorist and educator with Rabbit Community of America. Jane has 12 years in lagomorph psychology and has fostered and rehabilitated 500+ rescue rabbits.
Reviewed by: Jane Smith, RCA educator
Last updated: October 2026
Sources checked: October 2026
This page collects rabbit statistics on ownership, lifespan, health, cost, shelters and diet. The figures come from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the UK charity PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) and the Merck Veterinary Manual. Peer-reviewed studies fill the gaps.
Every stat links to its source. Each one carries its year, because a 2007 count and a 2026 count can differ widely. When a figure covers one country or region, the same sentence says so.
You get the number, the year, the sample and the limits. Where no primary source exists, we leave the number out.
Key takeaways
- 1.2% of US households owned a rabbit.
- The UK has an estimated 700,000 pet rabbits.
- Rabbits typically live 7 to 10 years.
- Half of UK rabbits, about 400,000, lack companionship.
- An indoor pair costs at least £80 a month in the UK (PDSA, accessed October 2026).
Table of contents
- Key Rabbit Statistics at a Glance
- How Do Rabbits Compare With Other Pets?
- How Do Rabbit Statistics Differ by Country?
- How Is Rabbit Ownership Changing?
- What Does the Data Say About Rabbit Myths?
- What Do These Statistics Mean for New Owners?
- Our Community Survey Results
- Use These Statistics
- Rabbit Statistics FAQ
- Where Do These Rabbit Statistics Come From?
- Glossary
Key Rabbit Statistics at a Glance
About 1.2% of US households owned a rabbit in the AVMA’s 2022 Sourcebook, which used 2020 data. Pet rabbits typically live 7 to 10 years, according to PDSA. A UK pair of indoor rabbits costs at least £80 a month, also per PDSA.
Ownership
| Statistic | Number | Source (Year) |
|---|---|---|
| US households owning a rabbit | 1.2% | AVMA (2022 Sourcebook, 2020 data) |
| Estimated US pet rabbits | 2.2 million | AVMA 2022 Sourcebook, as reported by Rabbit.org Foundation (2025) [STAT: confirm in Sourcebook] |
| Estimated UK pet rabbits | 700,000 | PDSA PAW Mini Report (2025) |
Lifespan and Health
| Statistic | Number | Source (Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical rabbit life expectancy | 7 to 10 years | PDSA, citing the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (accessed Oct 2026) |
| Dental disease in rabbits at referral hospitals | 10% or more | MSPCA-Angell clinical review (2026) |
| Dental disease in rabbits owners consider healthy | Up to 40% | MSPCA-Angell clinical review (2026) |
| Earliest age malocclusion can appear | 3 to 8 weeks | Merck Veterinary Manual (July 2026) |
Cost
| Statistic | Number | Source (Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum setup, indoor pair (UK) | £980 | PDSA (accessed Oct 2026) |
| Minimum monthly cost, indoor pair (UK) | £80 | PDSA (accessed Oct 2026) |
| Spay or neuter cost range (US) | $100 to over $600 |
Shelters
| Statistic | Number | Source (Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit shelter intake from owner relinquishment, Jan to Sept | 53.7% | Shelter Animals Count (2022) |
| Intake from surrenders, four Massachusetts and Rhode Island shelters | More than three-fourths | Peer-reviewed shelter study (2012) |
| US shelter rabbit intake per year | Approximately 35,000 to over 50,000 domestic rabbits |
Diet
| Statistic | Number | Source (Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Hay share of a rabbit’s diet | 80% | British Veterinary Association (BVA) |
| Adult pellet limit | 1/8 cup once or twice daily | MSPCA-Angell clinical review (2026) |
Updated October 2026.
How Do Rabbits Compare With Other Pets?
Rabbits rank well behind dogs and cats in US homes. The AVMA’s 2022 Sourcebook found rabbits in 1.2% of households, against 26% for cats and 44.6% for dogs. In the UK, PDSA’s 2025 report counts 700,000 rabbits. That is far below its 10.5 million cats and 11.1 million dogs.
| Measure | Rabbit | Cat | Dog | Guinea pig |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US households owning (AVMA, 2022) | 1.2% | 26% | 44.6% | 0.8% |
| UK pet population (PDSA, 2026) | 700,000 | 10.5 million | 11.1 million | 700,000 |
| US vet spend per household per year (AVMA, 2022) | Approximately $200 or More | $253 | $367 | Approximately $200 or More |
| Average lifespan (PDSA) | 7 to 10 years | 14 years | 5 to 14 years | 4 to 8 years |
Dog households outnumber rabbit households about 37 to 1 in the AVMA data.
How Do Rabbit Statistics Differ by Country?
The US and UK measure ownership differently. The AVMA reports rabbits in 1.2% of US households (2022 Sourcebook). PDSA reports that 2% of UK adults own a rabbit and estimates 700,000 rabbits (2025). A share of households and a share of adults are not the same measure.
| Measure | United States | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated pet rabbits | 2.2 million (AVMA 2022, via Rabbit.org Foundation) [STAT: confirm] | 700,000 (PDSA, 2025) |
| Share owning rabbits | 1.2% of households (AVMA, 2022) | 2% of adults (PDSA, 2025) |
| Main source and sample | AVMA online opt-in survey, early 2021, 2,011 respondents | PDSA and YouGov online survey, Dec 2024 to Jan 2025, 234 rabbit owners |
The AVMA lists a margin of error of 2.2% at 95% confidence for its full survey. A 1.2% rabbit share is therefore a rough estimate. PDSA builds its population figure from survey data plus Office for National Statistics household counts.
How Is Rabbit Ownership Changing?
Pet rabbit numbers have fallen in both countries. AVMA figures compiled by the Rabbit.org Foundation show the US estimate dropping from 6.1 million in 2007 to 2.2 million in 2022. PDSA says the UK estimate keeps declining and stood at 700,000 in 2025.
- US households owning rabbits fell from 1.62% in 2007 to 1.2% in 2022 (AVMA data via Rabbit.org Foundation, 2025).
- PDSA’s 2025 report describes the UK rabbit population as still declining (PDSA, 2025).
- AVMA’s May 2025 chart used 2023 and 2024 survey data for other pets (AVMA, 2025).
Survey methods changed across AVMA editions, so treat the 2007 comparison as a direction, not an exact rate.
What Does the Data Say About Rabbit Myths?
The clearest myth is that rabbits live only 2 to 3 years. PDSA’s cost guide lists a life expectancy of 7 to 10 years, citing the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF). Planning for that span changes the budget, the time and the housing a rabbit needs.
| Common belief | What the data shows (Source, Year) |
|---|---|
| Rabbits are low-maintenance starter pets | Dental disease affects 10% or more of referral rabbits (MSPCA-Angell, 2026). All rabbit teeth grow for life (Merck, July 2026). |
| Rabbits only live 2 to 3 years | Life expectancy runs 7 to 10 years (PDSA, accessed Oct 2026). |
| Rabbits are cheap to keep | A UK indoor pair needs £980 to start and £80 a month at minimum (PDSA, accessed Oct 2026). |
| Rabbits can live on pellets and carrots | Pellet-heavy diets can overgrow teeth, because pellets wear teeth less than hay does (Merck, July 2026). |
| Rabbits are happy alone in a hutch | 50% of UK rabbits, about 400,000, lack companionship (PDSA, 2024). |
What Do These Statistics Mean for New Owners?
The numbers point to two commitments, time and money. PDSA lists a life expectancy of 7 to 10 years for rabbits. It also sets the minimum cost of an indoor pair at £80 a month. Those figures add up to as many as 10 years of monthly costs before any vet bill.
- Plan for 7 to 10 years (PDSA). Start with Rabbit Care 101.
- Treat £80 a month as a floor, since PDSA’s figure covers basic needs only. Weigh it using Rabbits as Pets: Pros and Cons.
- Ask an exotics vet about spay or neuter timing. [STAT: add the cancer-risk figure from a primary source.]
- Offer plenty of hay, which lowers dental risk (Merck, July 2026). See What Can Rabbits Eat Daily?
- Plan for company, because half of UK rabbits lack it (PDSA, 2024).
Rabbit Statistics FAQ
How many people own pet rabbits?
About 1.2% of US households owned a rabbit, according to the AVMA’s 2022 Sourcebook, which used 2020 data. In the UK, PDSA’s 2025 report found that 2% of adults own a rabbit and estimated 700,000 pet rabbits. Both figures come from surveys and carry a margin of error.
Are rabbits popular pets?
Rabbits trail dogs and cats. The AVMA’s 2022 Sourcebook found rabbits in 1.2% of US households, against 26% for cats and 44.6% for dogs. In the UK, PDSA’s 2025 report estimates 700,000 rabbits, compared with 10.5 million cats and 11.1 million dogs.
What are the most common health problems in rabbits?
Dental disease is among the most common problems. The Merck Veterinary Manual (July 2026) says it is common because rabbit teeth grow continuously. A 2026 MSPCA-Angell clinical review puts it at 10% or more of referral-hospital rabbits. It also reports up to 40% of rabbits their owners consider healthy.
How much does it cost to own a rabbit?
PDSA puts the minimum setup for an indoor pair of rabbits at £980. It sets the minimum monthly cost at £80 for the pair, or £960 a year. These figures cover basic welfare needs only, so illness and accidents add more. These are UK prices from PDSA, accessed October 2026.
Are rabbits commonly surrendered to shelters?
Yes, and owners surrendering them drives most intake. A 2012 peer-reviewed study of four Massachusetts and Rhode Island shelters found surrenders drove over three-fourths of rabbit intake. Shelter Animals Count data for January to September 2022 shows 53.7% of rabbit intakes were owner relinquishments. These are regional and partial counts.
Are rabbits good pets for beginners?
The data says rabbits suit beginners only when they commit to the care. PDSA lists a 7 to 10 year life expectancy and an £80 minimum monthly cost for a pair. The Merck Veterinary Manual (July 2026) says plenty of hay lowers dental risk. Those needs ask more of a first-time owner than many expect.
How often is this data updated?
We review this page every 6 to 12 months and log each change below. The last full source check happened in October 2026. Each figure shows its data year, which can trail the publication year by two years or more. For example, the AVMA’s 2022 Sourcebook reports 2020 data.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure traces to a named primary source. We use the AVMA for US ownership. PDSA covers UK ownership and cost, and the Merck Veterinary Manual covers health and diet. Peer-reviewed studies cover shelters. The full numbered list sits in the sources section below.
Where Do These Rabbit Statistics Come From?
Every number on this page traces to one of the 12 named sources below. Each source is a veterinary association, a veterinary charity, a veterinary reference or a peer-reviewed study.
- American Veterinary Medical Association. U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics. Based on the 2022 Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook.
- American Veterinary Medical Association. Chart of the month, Not all pets are dogs or cats. May 15, 2025.
- PDSA. PAW Mini Report 2025. 2025.
- PDSA. UK pet populations of dogs, cats and rabbits. Accessed October 2026.
- PDSA. PAW Report 2024, Rabbits. 2024.
- PDSA. PAW Report methodology. Accessed October 2026.
- PDSA. The cost of owning rabbits. Accessed October 2026.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Dental Care of Rabbits. July 2026.
- MSPCA-Angell. Managing Rabbit Dental Disease and Owner Expectations. 2026.
- Faunalytics. Quantifying the Shelter Rabbit Population. Summary of a 2012 peer-reviewed study.
- Shelter Animals Count. Rabbits Q3 Analysis 2022. 2022.
- Rabbit.org Foundation. Updated Rabbit Statistics. September 19, 2025. Used for historical AVMA figures.
We pick Tier 1 sources first, such as veterinary associations, veterinary manuals and peer-reviewed journals. We use other sources only with named attribution and a region label. When two sources disagree, we show the range and name both.