The best Rabbit Insurance in the U.K.

Snays

Hi there!
ill be rescuing a young rabbit soon and I’m looking into insurance. I saw pet plan is recommended but it doesn’t cover dental work which is a bit annoying. Does pet plan cover stasis, ear problems ect (common rabbit issues)? I read the policy but I’m not great with wording 😅 what insurance do you recommend? 

Emmia

I'd probably self insure, putting money aside that you would have spent on the premiums.

Ms_Dee

Hi @Snays

Most don't cover dental or ears, which is one of the main issues that can happen with rabbits.
A lot of people I know that have insured, use Agria as they offer a lifetime insurance, whereas many only cover up to 5 years, when some rabbits have lived up to 15 years! 
https://www.agriapet.co.uk/pet-owners/products/for-rabbits/policy-information/

We used to rescue, foster and adopt rabbits (only have the two left now 😔) and we've always put money into a savings account, the more money in there the better obviously and if they sadly pass, then you still have that money there.
Rabbits have been known to be 'cheap' 'good for children' pets. Sadly this isn't usually the case. They are prey animals so don't usually like being picked up or handled, as in the wild, they would only be picked up by a predator. 

General costs, without injuries:
Rabbits need to be neutered (£60-£140) One time only.
Microchipped (£10) One time only - unless details need updating, there may be an admin fee.
Pellets are about £25 a 10kg bag but last ages as you shouldn't be feeding many.
Veg and herbs can be costly, but you can get free veg on the Olio App.
Hay - depends on what they will eat, but they need to eat a lot. Around £3-£10 a bale.
Yearly vaccines (double and single, given 2 weeks apart OR there is a new triple vaccine) £80-£120 a year.
Litter if you use it (ONLY 100% wood or paper, never use shavings or anything containing baking soda)
Straw for bedding £3-£10 a bale.

Enclosure needs to be as big as you can go, with a safe covered area for them to have a safe place to go without anyone else or any other animals, they need access to a large exercise area 24/7 as they are most active dawn and dusk, when we are usually sleeping. £100-£1000+ depending on what you want.
General vet check up is usually around £30-£70.

You can learn to clip their nails yourself, keep them brushed and you can apply your own fly strike prevention treatments (Rearguard or F10 wound spray are the only known safe products for this) ideally needs applying every few weeks to a couple of months.
NEVER bathe a rabbit.

Rabbits do not need regular flea treatments, worming or mite treatment. Only use safe products currently it is Advantage 2 kitten treatment for fleas, Panacur for worms and Xeno 450 for treating most mites.

VetUK is a website where you can get safe, official, pet medication, usually cheaper than most vets or shops.

Some vets do offer a pet plan which includes nail trims, flystrike prevention, discount off bills etc. worth checking these out and if they work for you.

Times everything by 2+ as bunnies ideally need a friend of their own kind, but need to be bonded correctly, it can take a lot of time, patience and effort, both bunnies need to be neutered for at least 8 weeks prior so their hormones have fully settled. 
If you need any help, feel free to message me, I've bonded a fair few. Male and female neutered pairs, usually work best.

Make sure you have access to a rabbit savvy vet and an emergency vet number to hand.
Remember they make amazing family members but each bunny poops around 200-300 times a day, so they keep you busy

lincroft1710

Ms_Dee said:

Hi @Snays

Most don't cover dental or ears, which is one of the main issues that can happen with rabbits.
A lot of people I know that have insured, use Agria as they offer a lifetime insurance, whereas many only cover up to 5 years, when some rabbits have lived up to 15 years! 
https://www.agriapet.co.uk/pet-owners/products/for-rabbits/policy-information/

We used to rescue, foster and adopt rabbits (only have the two left now 😔) and we've always put money into a savings account, the more money in there the better obviously and if they sadly pass, then you still have that money there.
Rabbits have been known to be 'cheap' 'good for children' pets. Sadly this isn't usually the case. They are prey animals so don't usually like being picked up or handled, as in the wild, they would only be picked up by a predator. 

General costs, without injuries:
Rabbits need to be neutered (£60-£140) One time only.
Microchipped (£10) One time only - unless details need updating, there may be an admin fee.
Pellets are about £25 a 10kg bag but last ages as you shouldn't be feeding many.
Veg and herbs can be costly, but you can get free veg on the Olio App.
Hay - depends on what they will eat, but they need to eat a lot. Around £3-£10 a bale.
Yearly vaccines (double and single, given 2 weeks apart OR there is a new triple vaccine) £80-£120 a year.
Litter if you use it (ONLY 100% wood or paper, never use shavings or anything containing baking soda)
Straw for bedding £3-£10 a bale.

Enclosure needs to be as big as you can go, with a safe covered area for them to have a safe place to go without anyone else or any other animals, they need access to a large exercise area 24/7 as they are most active dawn and dusk, when we are usually sleeping. £100-£1000+ depending on what you want.
General vet check up is usually around £30-£70.

You can learn to clip their nails yourself, keep them brushed and you can apply your own fly strike prevention treatments (Rearguard or F10 wound spray are the only known safe products for this) ideally needs applying every few weeks to a couple of months.
NEVER bathe a rabbit.

Rabbits do not need regular flea treatments, worming or mite treatment. Only use safe products currently it is Advantage 2 kitten treatment for fleas, Panacur for worms and Xeno 450 for treating most mites.

VetUK is a website where you can get safe, official, pet medication, usually cheaper than most vets or shops.

Some vets do offer a pet plan which includes nail trims, flystrike prevention, discount off bills etc. worth checking these out and if they work for you.

Times everything by 2+ as bunnies ideally need a friend of their own kind, but need to be bonded correctly, it can take a lot of time, patience and effort, both bunnies need to be neutered for at least 8 weeks prior so their hormones have fully settled. 
If you need any help, feel free to message me, I've bonded a fair few. Male and female neutered pairs, usually work best.

Make sure you have access to a rabbit savvy vet and an emergency vet number to hand.
Remember they make amazing family members but each bunny poops around 200-300 times a day, so they keep you busy

200 - 300 times a day???? Had rabbits many years ago and they certainly weren't excreting at that rate!!!! If they were awake for 20 hours a day, that would mean a minimum of once every 6 minutes.

sheramber

Petplan cover dental illness or injury  as long as your rabbit has had an annual dental check and you have carried out any treatment your vet advises. preventative treatment is not covered

.  Be aware annual means strictly within 12 months.

No mention of the other conditions you mention but you can contact them and ask. If possible email is better as you will a written copy of the reply.

The advantage of Petplan is the they do  not increase premiums if you claim. Most other companies do. Premiums can increase due to increased running costs and for older pets.

Lightspeeders

I have just read the terms and conditions for petplan rabbit insurance as I am thinking of getting it myself - they do cover dental work (But not preventive stuff like polish etc) - and they cover all the other stuff you said as well - including ears - for dental you have to have had a vet check their teeth within 12 months before the claim and have carred out the reccomended treatment by 6 months after the vet advises it - also they dont cover pre-exisiting conditions or vaccines or neuter - but no insurance does.

Ms_Dee

lincroft1710 said:

Ms_Dee said:

but each bunny poops around 200-300 times a day, so they keep you busy

200 - 300 times a day???? Had rabbits many years ago and they certainly weren't excreting at that rate!!!! If they were awake for 20 hours a day, that would mean a minimum of once every 6 minutes.

@lincroft1710
This isn't relevant to the question on the thread, but yes bunnies poop in piles though, so it isn't spread out like every 6 minutes. If they get the correct diet and exercise they should be producing a lot of poop. There is also their cecotropes which is their other type of poop (they have two types) which you shouldn't see regularly, as they eat them straight out of their bottom (which is one of the reasons why it is important to keep buns a good weight, so they can easily reach) they eat them to take in the nutrients from them, but if they have a too rich diet, you may see more than you should. They are grape like bunches, of soft and smelly poop.

They need to keep their gut moving all the time, which is why they produce so much, otherwise they can become very unwell. Which is why you should never fast a rabbit before an operation. They can't vomit, so no need to anyway.