Your rabbit may be happier to stay with a caregiver at home rather than come with you on a trip, but sometimes you have no choice but to travel with your pet.
Because traveling can be quite stressful for rabbits, there are a few things you should do to make the trip safe and a little more enjoyable.
Invest in a good carrier
If your rabbit cage fits into your vehicle, then the rabbit can travel like that, but most cages take up too much space and it is possible for your rabbit to hurt itself if you have to stop or turn suddenly.
Some people use small dog carriers, but it can be uncomfortable to get your rabbit into the front-opening cage if it doesn’t want to jump into it.
Instead, consider getting a travel carrier that opens both at the top and side. With this type of box, you can easily pick up and take out the rabbit.
In addition, solid walls, compared to the open elements of dog boxes, will make the rabbit feel safe.
Get used to your rabbit with his transport carrier
Allow the rabbit to get used to transportation before driving, following a few steps.
First, allow the rabbit to explore the carrier alone. Put it on the floor during playtime and put some favorite snacks inside on a towel.
After a while, gently put the rabbit in the box and leave it for a few minutes with the reward or with its favorite toy.
To get used to having to stay in the carrier, start placing the rabbit in it with a blanket and its rewards or toys. Close the door and lift the carrier making sure you keep it close to your body without swinging it to one side like a bucket.
Walk around the house and place the carrier on your lap for a few minutes.
Finally, try to keep the rabbit in the carrier for 30 minutes before leaving it outside.
Cool your car before traveling with your bunny
You might also like my articles about:
- Why do rabbits have red eyes
- Do rabbits mate for life
- How to make traveling with your cat more pleasant
Now that your rabbit is comfortable with its travel cage, consider the temperature of the car before you go on a trip by car. Rabbits do not tolerate temperatures above 24°C. Therefore, you need to make sure that it stays in a cool place.
Do not leave the carrier in sunlight in the car.
Never leave your bunny unattended in the car on a hot day.
Turn on the air conditioning, but don’t let the current beat directly on your rabbit’s transport cage.
On a really hot day, or if you don’t have air conditioning, place a damp towel over the carrier along with an ice pack wrapped in a small towel inside the box for extra cooling.
If it is extremely cold outside, make sure that warm air does not blow directly onto the travel cage with the bunny in it.
Practice driving by car
Once your rabbit is used to its carrier and the car is at a safe temperature, place the cage on the floor of your car or tie it to a seat. Start making short trips around the block and gradually try to reach trips longer than 30 minutes or even an hour, to get your rabbit used to both the carrier and the feeling of a moving vehicle.
Plan ahead for the car ride
Now that your rabbit is ready to travel, you need to make sure you don’t forget to pack its bags too.
Pack extra food that your rabbit normally eats, a bottle of water that can attach to the shipping box, and some favorite rewards.
Get a health certificate from your veterinarian if you cross the border or attend a rabbit event and consider using rabbit microchips if they move away from you.
Pack some cleaning supplies, such as dry wipes and a safe pet cleaner for any dirt or spills. You can also place a blanket, trash bag, or a piece of cardboard over the car seats, where you will place the travel cage to protect them from any stress-induced urine spillage. Consider putting a puppy absorbent pad for additional absorption or a litter box in a corner of the box, if there is room.
Put some food and hay in the transport box and give the rabbit regularly the water bottle for a few minutes, if it is not attached to the box. If your bunny prefers, you can give it water in a pot during stops.
When you stop, give your rabbit its favorite snacks because many rabbits do not eat too much because of the stress of traveling.
If the trip is longer than one day, pack a playpen for exercise as a temporary overnight shelter.
Do not remove the rabbit from the travel cage except in enclosed spaces to prevent escape. A stressed rabbit can run away panicked if you open the box outside.
Final words!
In conclusion, if traveling with the bunny is inevitable, you must consider the following:
You need a special carrier for animals.
You should not leave the rabbit in the sun or in the current.
You need to provide fresh water and something to chew.
It is better to travel in the early hours of the morning or in the evening.
