How Much Does It Cost To Own and Keep A Rabbit in Singapore?

Docile, gentle, quiet, and family-friendly, rabbits are a popular beginner pet for families or individuals looking for a companion. The most popular bunny channel on YouTube, Bunny Meyer, has over 1.58 billion views. Arguably, rabbits are the next most popular pet after dogs and cats.

For those of us planning to get a rabbit, it is worth noting that their lifespan is relatively long – stretching to about 8 to 12 years. A natural prey, having a safe, sheltered space with a covered toy house structure, is essential for their well-being. Rabbit adoptions is also relatively easier than dog or cat adoption as there are no pre-requisite requirements owners need to meet for their houses.

Due to their petite size, rabbits are naturally more affordable than dogs and cats. However, it still means that there are financial and physical duties that come along with caring for a rabbit.

Read Also: How Much Does It Cost To Own And Keep A Dog In Singapore?

Initial One-Off Cost For Rabbit

#1 Cost To Adopt Or Buy

Depending on our personal needs and preferences, we may choose to either purchase or adopt a rabbit.

Before purchasing a pet, we should check that the breeders are legitimate and ethical. We can do so by choosing to purchase from breeders or shops that are licensed by the Animal Veterinary Services (AVS). Depending on the breeder, pedigree, and country of importation, the price of getting a rabbit can vary. Generally, the price range of rabbits is from $80 to $500, exclusive of any additional importation charges. The popular Netherlands dwarf rabbits typically cost about $100 to $200.

In contrast, adoption fees can range from $0 to upwards of $50, depending on the breed, health condition, and age of the rabbit. If you are interested to adopt a rabbit, you can check out Bunny Wonderland, House Rabbit Society and 5 other places for pet adoptions.

Interested rabbit owners can also check against the “Buying a Small Mammal Checklist” by NParks which assists potential owners in choosing a compatible and healthy rabbit.

Read Also: How Much Does It Cost To Own And Keep A Cat In Singapore

#2 Sterilisation

As the saying goes, “breeding like rabbits” is a genuine concern. If we are keeping a pair of rabbits, it is best to ensure that either one or both are sterilised. Sterilising our rabbits can also help to prevent reproductive organ cancers or diseases.

Generally, owners should bring the rabbits for sterilisation at about 8 months or so.

The cost of sterilisation is about $250 to $300. This is not always covered by shelters or pet shops. Generally, the sterilisation procedure for female rabbits costs more than for male rabbits.

#3 Microchipping

Most breeders do not microchip the rabbits sold as it is not mandated by AVA. However, most adoption places, such as Bunny Land, do help to microchip the rabbit. Microchipping your rabbit is important and recommended by the Animal Veterinary Service (AVS)  because it tracks pet ownership. By inserting a permanent identification chip, it allows for easy traceability in the event our rabbits are lost. This is essential as domestic rabbits do not survive well in the wild with high mortality rate after a single day.

The cost of microchipping a rabbit is about $30 and can be done at most vet clinics. It is a useful feature as it contains the owner’s contact information and even a brief medical history of the rabbit.

#5 Cost Of Cage And Accessories

While it is possible to let our rabbits roam around at home, getting a cage to house them is important. A rule of thumb is to ensure that the cage is about 4 times larger than the rabbit to give it ample space. On average, a cage size of 75cm X 95cm would be good for a standard rabbit that weighs between 1kg to 2kg. For dwarf rabbits that are slightly smaller, a cage size of 60cm X 90cm would be sufficient. These cages should have a strong structure and the base should be solid flooring instead of a wire one. The cost of these cages would range from $50 to $100.

We can also get a fine wire mesh fence to enclose a space in the house for the rabbit. This would cost about $30 to $80.

Apart from cages, we would also need to ensure that rabbits have a hay feeder as hay makes up about 80% of their diet. We can get those hay feeders that are attached to the cage so that loose hay does not mess up the cage. These feeders cost about $12 to $20.

For water and pellets, getting bowls that are attachable to the cage would also be helpful in minimise mess. These can cost anywhere between $2 to $5 each.

Rabbits are generally comfortable with solid floorings. However, it is essential to provide a mini litter box for them. These litter boxes cost about $20 to $50.

Lastly, having a covered toy house structure provides a place for our rabbits to hide which is essential for them to feel safe and secure. These toy house structures cost about $20 to $50, depending on the size and material.

#6 Initial Vaccinations

As indoor pets, rabbits are not as exposed to diseases as compared to dogs and cats. There is no current health advisory from Animal Veterinary Service (AVS) for rabbits. However, due to the most recent Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, rabbits that are in high contact with the outdoors through other pets or interaction with other rabbits should be vaccinated.

The cost of vaccination for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease is between $86 to $110.

Recurring Costs For Rabbit

With a life span of about 8 to 12-years, there is an ongoing cost to ensure the upkeep and well-being of our furry friend.

Hay, pellets, and treats: In general, hay makes up 80% of a rabbit’s diet. Having some supplementary pellets, treats and fresh food given in moderation is a good variation to their diet. A medium packet of hay that cost about $15 would be good for a month for a single rabbit.

A 2kg packet of pellets can cost anywhere between $15 to $25, which can last about three months for a single rabbit. Additional treats such as biscuits and vegetables can cost about $10 a month.

Grooming: Rabbits are generally well-kept and can self-groom well. However, depending on the breed, grooming would remain an essential service, especially for the long-hair breeds.

The cost of a basic rabbit grooming session is about $50. A monthly session would be recommended to keep our pet’s nails and coat healthy.

Medical fees: 

Medical fees, though expected, can be a costly responsibility to bear.

A basic medical consultation can cost about $50, without any additional medication or services. On average, owners can expect to spend about $75 to $200 per vet trip depending on the complexity of the case. For small mammals, it would be advisable to find a vet that has experience and expertise in handling them.

In the event of a surgery, the bill can exceed thousands, especially if it includes hospitalisation.

Carriers, leash, toys: 

For those of us that would like to bring our rabbits out, getting a carrier and leash would be a good investment. Regardless, having a spare carrier is essential as we may not know when we would need a trip to the vet.

A common misconception is that the cost of toys, carriers and leashes are one-time expenditures. However, cages, toys and even leashes should be changed once every few years due to wear and tear.

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Managing The Lifetime Costs Of Looking After A Rabbit

Based on the calculations above, the first year of owning a rabbit cost, inclusive of initial and yearly recurring costs, amounts to about $2,530.

This cost is computed without the initial payment for adoption or purchasing a rabbit.

The average life span of a rabbit is about a decade. With the yearly recurring cost coming at about $1,100, a lifetime commitment to our feline companion can cost about $11,000 in total. This amount only covers the basic upkeeping cost of a rabbit. In the case of accidents and illnesses, we would have to fork out additional costs to treat our furry friend. Aside from pet insurance, owners can also set aside a financial buffer for emergencies. Having a buffer of about $1,000 would help fund a minor surgery and hospitalisation for our pet if needed.

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