Live NZ price guide
Small Pet Prices NZ
What small pets cost in New Zealand, pulled live from our 22 species and breed profiles. The animal itself is the cheapest part — hutches, runs and ongoing hay and bedding dominate the real budget, and most of these species need a companion, so plan for a pair rather than one.
See also hutch and cage sizing, banned and restricted exotic pets and pet bird prices.
Under $50
Rats, mice and standard guinea pigs. Almost all are social species that must be kept in pairs or groups, so double the purchase price.
| Species | NZ price range |
|---|---|
| Fancy Mouse | NZD $15 - $40 per mouse (often sold in pairs or trios) |
| Fancy Rat | NZD $20 - $50 per rat (often sold in pairs, so budget NZD $40 - $100 for two) |
| American Guinea Pig | NZD $30 - $80 per animal (from pet stores or breeders), often slightly less from rescue organisations. |
| Dumbo Rat | NZD $30 - $80 per animal |
| Hairless Rat (Sphynx Rat) | NZD $30 - $80 per animal |
| Rex Rat | NZD $30 - $80 per rat (typically sold in pairs or groups) |
| Abyssinian Guinea Pig | NZD $40 - $100 per animal |
| Teddy Guinea Pig | NZD $40 - $80 per animal (from reputable breeders or pet stores) |
$50 – $100
Pedigree guinea pig breeds and most pet rabbits from breeders. Rescues rehome both for less, usually already desexed.
| Species | NZ price range |
|---|---|
| Dutch Rabbit | NZD $50 - $150 (from reputable breeders or rescue organisations) |
| Lionhead Rabbit | NZD $50 - $150 (for a single rabbit from a reputable breeder or rescue) |
| Mini Rex Rabbit | NZD $50 - $150 (for a single rabbit from a reputable breeder or rescue) |
| New Zealand White Rabbit | NZD $50 - $150 |
| Peruvian Guinea Pig | NZD $50 - $120 per animal (from reputable breeders or pet stores) |
| Rex Rabbit | NZD $50 - $150 (for a single rabbit from a reputable breeder or rescue) |
| Angora Rabbit | NZD $80 - $250 |
| Flemish Giant Rabbit | NZD $80 - $250 (for a healthy rabbit from a reputable breeder or rescue) |
| Holland Lop Rabbit | NZD $80 - $200 (from reputable breeders or adoption centres) |
| Mini Lop Rabbit | NZD $80 - $250 |
| Skinny Pig (Hairless Guinea Pig) | NZD $80 - $200 (for the animal itself from reputable breeders or rescue centres) |
$100 and up
Show-quality rabbit breeds and less common species. Ferrets sit here too, and carry council and desexing requirements in some districts.
| Species | NZ price range |
|---|---|
| Chinchilla | NZD $200 - $600 (for a single chinchilla from a reputable breeder) |
| Ferret | NZD $200 - $500 |
Not legally available in New Zealand
These species are kept as pets overseas but cannot be lawfully sourced in New Zealand. Sugar gliders and hedgehogs in particular are frequently asked about — check the profile before responding to any listing that offers one.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a guinea pig cost in NZ?
Guinea pigs are typically well under $100 from pet stores and breeders, with pedigree breeds at the upper end and rescues lower. Because they are highly social and should never be kept alone, budget for two — and for a hutch large enough for two, which is the cost most first-time owners underestimate.
How much is a rabbit in New Zealand?
Most pet rabbits sit under about $100 from breeders, with show-quality breeds higher. Rescues often rehome rabbits already desexed and vaccinated against calicivirus, which is worth more than the difference in price.
What are the ongoing costs?
Hay is the big one and it is constant — it should make up the bulk of a rabbit's or guinea pig's diet, not pellets. Add bedding, fresh vegetables, and a vet comfortable with small mammals. Desexing and vaccination for rabbits are worth budgeting for up front.
Do I need a pair?
For guinea pigs and rats, yes — they are social species and keeping one alone causes real welfare problems. Rabbits also do best in bonded pairs. The exception is species that are territorial as adults, which the individual profiles flag.
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