Traveling With Rabbits: Good Idea Or Not?

Travelling with rabbits is no small task. Rabbits are generally not good travellers due to how easily stressed they can get. They can have trouble handling changes in temperature, unfamiliar noises, changes in their feed schedule and strange environments. However, if you need to travel with your rabbit, there are some things you can do to make the trip more pleasant for both of you.

Firstly, it's important to choose the right carrier. The carrier should be the correct size for your rabbit, with enough room to turn around and lay down comfortably. It should also be made of sturdy, chew-proof material such as wire or hard plastic. You should also consider the ventilation, ease of cleaning, ease of access and carrying handle/strap.

Before travelling, it's a good idea to acclimate your rabbit to its carrier. You can do this by keeping the carrier available to your rabbit, leaving the door open, putting familiar bedding and treats inside, and encouraging your rabbit to spend time in it every day.

When travelling by car, it's important to keep the car cool and avoid loud music and radio. You should also plan to take frequent breaks to help your rabbit de-stress and provide extra water, as rabbits can become dehydrated during car trips.

If you're travelling by plane, make sure to choose an airline that allows rabbits in the cabin and do your research on the regulations and requirements.

Choosing the right carrier

When choosing a carrier for your rabbit, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, ventilation is important as rabbits can easily overheat in a warm environment. You should also opt for a carrier that is easy to clean, as rabbits may potty in their carrier. It should be sturdy and made of chew-proof material such as wire or hard plastic, with a metal grate-style door. A carrier with a plastic door may not be ideal as rabbits may be able to chew through it. Additionally, look for a carrier with a secure and sturdy carrying handle or strap that can handle your rabbit's weight.

The size of the carrier is also crucial. It should provide enough room for your rabbit to stretch out and sit upright comfortably, while not being too spacious to prevent sliding during sudden stops. A 19-inch carrier is suitable for smaller rabbits (2-3 lbs), while a 24-inch carrier is recommended for medium-sized pairs (around 5 lbs) or a single large rabbit (7+ lbs). If you have multiple rabbits, ensure the carrier is comfortably sized for all of them.

When choosing a carrier, consider the following types and their advantages and disadvantages:

• Wire pet carrier: While these carriers are chew-proof, rabbits' legs may get stuck in the holes, and the open sides may make them feel insecure. If you use this type of carrier, cover the bottom with a solid surface and lightly cover it with a bedsheet to provide ventilation while maintaining privacy.
• Soft fabric carrier: These carriers are easy to store as they fold up, but they are only suitable for extremely short trips. Rabbits can easily chew through the material and escape, so they are not ideal for longer journeys.
• Bubble carrier backpacks: These usually have soft sides that rabbits can chew through quickly. Additionally, they often have poor ventilation, which can lead to a greenhouse effect and heatstroke for your rabbit.
• Wicker pet basket: Similar to the soft fabric carrier, rabbits can easily chew through the sides.
• Cardboard carrier: These can be easily chewed through and may not provide adequate ventilation. They are also not easy to clean if soiled.

For car travel, it is recommended to place the carrier on the floor behind the passenger seat to keep it secure and level. If you place the carrier on a seat, you can secure it with a seatbelt. Keep in mind that most seats are sloped, so you may need to use a towel or blanket to level the carrier.

Preparing your rabbit for the carrier

Choose the Right Carrier:

Select a carrier that is specifically designed for small pets like rabbits, cats, or small dogs. A hard plastic carrier with a door on the top and side is ideal as it provides easy access, is easy to clean, and keeps your rabbit safe. Make sure the carrier is well-ventilated to keep your rabbit cool and has enough room for your rabbit to move around without being too big for them to escape.

Make the Carrier Comfortable:

Line the bottom of the carrier with soft, absorbent material such as a towel, blanket, or pee pad. This will make your rabbit's travel more pleasant and help soak up any urine. You can also add their favourite toy or a treat to make them feel more at ease. If your rabbit is travelling with a partner, bring their buddy along for comfort.

Acclimatise Your Rabbit:

Before your trip, let your rabbit explore the carrier in a familiar setting. Place treats inside to encourage them to enter and spend time in the carrier. This will help them feel more comfortable and less stressed when it's time to travel.

Secure the Carrier in Your Vehicle:

Place the carrier on the floor of the back seat or buckle it in using seatbelts or bungee cords. If the carrier is too big for the floor, place it on the back seat, loop the seatbelt through the handle, and buckle it in. You can use a towel on the seat to level the carrier and prevent sliding.

Keep Your Rabbit Safe and Comfortable During Travel:

Maintain a comfortable temperature in the car, avoiding extreme heat or cold, and protect your rabbit from drafts. Provide food and water during the trip, and take frequent breaks to let your rabbit stretch and breathe fresh air. Check on your rabbit regularly to ensure they are doing well and not overheating.

Keeping your rabbit cool

Rabbits can easily overheat due to their fur coats, so it's important to take steps to keep them cool when travelling. Here are some tips to help you keep your rabbit cool and comfortable:

• Use air conditioning in the car if possible. If not, consider using frozen plastic water bottles wrapped in a towel, or a personal fan for your rabbit.
• Avoid direct sunlight on your rabbit's carrier. Use a towel to cover the carrier if the sun is too strong.
• Keep the car cool by setting the AC to a higher temperature than usual.
• Direct air vents upward to allow air circulation without blowing directly on your rabbit, which may cause respiratory issues.
• Monitor the temperature in the car and adjust accordingly. Rabbits are sensitive to temperature changes, so keep the heat on during winter travels.
• Avoid playing loud music or radio. This can help to keep your rabbit calm and reduce stress levels.
• Make frequent stops to check on your rabbit and offer water. These breaks will also help your rabbit de-stress and stay cool.
• Use a cooling pad or ice pack wrapped in a towel to help your rabbit cool down if they start to overheat.
• Be aware of the symptoms of heatstroke, such as a trembling or shaking rabbit, or their head thrown back as if they are struggling to breathe.
• Keep a window slightly open when driving to maintain a cool temperature, but avoid opening it fully to prevent loud noises and air chaos.

Reducing noise and stress

Travelling with rabbits can be a stressful experience for both the rabbits and their owners. Here are some tips to reduce noise and stress for rabbits during travel:

Acclimate Your Rabbit to the Carrier

Place the carrier in your rabbit's environment and allow them to explore it at their own pace. Put treats and toys inside to encourage your rabbit to enter and gradually increase the time they spend in the carrier. This will help your rabbit associate the carrier with positive experiences and reduce anxiety during travel.

Provide Familiar Items

Bring your rabbit's favourite toys, hay, and water to create a sense of familiarity and comfort during transport. These items will help distract your rabbit from the stress of travel and provide a sense of security in unfamiliar surroundings.

Keep the Carrier in a Quiet, Comfortable Spot

Place the carrier in a quiet area of the vehicle, away from direct sunlight and drafts. This will help your rabbit feel more secure and relaxed during the journey. Avoid loud noises and sudden movements, which can startle and stress your rabbit.

Take Regular Breaks

Stop every few hours to allow your rabbit to stretch, exercise, and relieve themselves. This will help prevent boredom, stress, and discomfort during the journey. Keep the temperature comfortable to prevent overheating or chilling.

Use Calming Aids

Consider using pheromone sprays or calming treats to help reduce your rabbit's stress and anxiety during transport. Pheromone sprays mimic the natural pheromones that mother rabbits produce to calm their kits, while calming treats contain natural ingredients that promote relaxation.

Other Tips:

• Keep your rabbit in the car with you, preferably in a sturdy, well-ventilated carrier.
• Avoid feeding your rabbit a large meal before travelling to prevent motion sickness.
• Bring a familiar blanket or toy for comfort.
• Choose a carrier with a removable top or front for easier access to your rabbit.
• Pack a small first-aid kit with supplies like bandages and antiseptic wipes.

Planning breaks

Rabbits typically won't eat when they are stressed in the car, but it is very important to their digestion that they eat frequently throughout the day. If you are planning on travelling for more than a couple of hours, you will need to make plans for pit stops along the way. These stops will give your rabbit a chance to de-stress without the vibrations of the car. They will also be able to eat and drink some water to stay healthy for the next leg of the trip.

When planning your trip, check out the route you are taking and look for rest areas where you can park for a while. Plan to make these stops for 30 minutes to one hour so that your rabbit has time to relax a little. During these stops, you can let your rabbit out in the car to stretch out a little. Avoid letting them out while the car door is open, however. The last thing you want is for your rabbit to get lost at a rest stop in the middle of nowhere. If your rabbit is leash-trained, you can bring them out and let them hop around.

If your trip is under eight hours, it is suggested to just drive through without any stops unless you plan on taking a break for over an hour in the middle of the trip. Rabbits will often be too stressed to try to eat during short 30-minute stops. If your rabbit has not eaten at a stop break for over eight hours, it is a good idea to assist-feed some food after checking they are not bloated to make sure they have something in their stomach until you stop overnight.

If you are taking a road trip with your rabbit, you will need to secure your furry friend properly and safely. You should strap the pet carrier onto a seat if there is a spare seat. If not, then you can place the carrier on the floor or in the back of the car with the luggage. Just make sure that the carrier is secure enough that it won't slide around or roll over, even if the car brakes suddenly or takes a sharp turn. As well, make sure there is plenty of air circulation for your rabbit.

You should also bring enough food and water for the trip. Luckily, rabbits do not get travel sick so you don't need to worry about feeding them too close to your travel time. Feeding them as usual will help keep them calm and satisfied and less likely to stress out. You also have to consider how changes in temperature may be affecting your rabbit. The car can become very hot when you travel, and anything over 85 degrees Fahrenheit can be damaging to their health, so you may want to give your rabbit a personal fan, keep the AC high in the car and ensure your rabbit gets plenty of water.

Frequently asked questions