Life is unpredictable, and sometimes it is necessary to travel long distances with you bunny. However, like with any animal, traveling can be very stressful for bunnies. It is important to prepare for these trips in advance to make it as easy as possible on the bunny.
Before you Leave
The following steps should be taken before you leave in order to keep your rabbit as comfortable as possible.
- Determine the states that you will be traveling through: Some states have required health certificates for bunnies that you will need to get before you leave.
- Familiarize yourself with your bunny’s normal litter habits: Changes to these litter habits will be one of your first signs that something is wrong with your bunny.
- Build an emergency kit for your bunny: Speak with your vet to get assistance building an emergency kit for your rabbit. This should include things such as critical care, rescue remedy, simethicone, styptic powder (in case of broken nails), heating pads, and blankets. If possible, ask your vet if they can teach you how to administer subcutaneous fluids in case that becomes a necessity.
- Pack food and water: In addition to your bunny’s normal food, bring additional greens and hays. These are both good sources of fiber and can help keep your bunny’s GI tract moving during the trip. Parsley, anise, carrot tops, and dandelions all contain good digestive enzymes that help keep things moving. You should also bottle up some of the water that your rabbit is used to drinking. Water can taste very different depending on the area, and your rabbit may be discouraged from drinking if they do not recognize the taste of the water.
- Check your carrier: Make sure that you have an appropriate sized carrier for your bunny. The carrier should be large enough to allow your rabbit to stretch out fully without touching both sides. There should also be enough room for water and hay to be available to your rabbit at all times. We recommend getting a no leak water bottle or a bowl that attaches to the front of the carrier for convenience.
- Find hotels: Before leaving, locate different hotel options that allow bunnies that are on your route. If staying somewhere overnight, your bunny MUST be brought inside with you and not left in the car overnight. When you arrive at the hotel, be sure to let your bunny out of the carrier and into a larger enclosure so that they can stretch their legs and have room to hop around. Keep in mind that you never know what cleaning chemicals are used on the floors, though, so be sure to either line the bottom with blankets or utilize a soft-side pen with a bottom directly attached.
During the trip
Keep the following in mind during the extent of your time traveling with your bunny.
- Plan to stop every 2-4 hours: Make stops to give your bunny water and small amounts of greens, hay, and pellets. Remember, most bunnies don’t like to do much while the car is moving, but once you stop, most bunnies will begin to start hopping around and nibbling on food after 5-10 minutes.
- Check frequently for dehydration: It is very important to make sure that your bunny stays hydrated during the trip. Remember that bunnies, like people, will get dehydrated faster at higher elevations.
- Monitor the temperate in the car: Depending on the outside temperature, keep the interior of the vehicle between 60 and 70 degrees. Never have the heating or air conditioning vents blowing directly on your bunny. Be aware that with the stress of traveling, your bunny can overheat quicker and at a lower temperature than they normally would.
- Keep the windows up: Having the windows down can significantly increase road noise and stress for your bunny. We recommend keeping the windows up as much as possible.
- Watch the elevation: If you’re coming from an area of the country lower in elevation and heading to a much higher elevation, plan on stopping for the night at 4,500 – 5,000 feet in elevation to allow your bunny to adjust. Every bunny is different, so if your seeing warning signs like bulging eyes or increased respiratory rate, stop sooner.
Flying with your bunny
Bunnies typically do quite well flying, and flying is usually less stressful for them than traveling long distances by car. Frontier and Alaska Air are both airlines that currently allow bunnies to fly in the cabin.
- Bunnies should always fly in the main cabin. if someone tells you to put your bunny anywhere except for under the seat in front of you, leave the plane if you have to. Never place your bunny in the over head storage compartment.
- The bunny or bunnies must be able to fit in a carrier that will go under the seat of the plane. Airbuses will typically have the most room under the seat. Typically, a soft side carrier is the only type that will fit under the seat, but keep in mind that these can be chewed out of, so you might want to bring some duct tape along for repairs if needed.
- Having a carrier with an expandable fold down side will give your bunny some extra space during the flight, which will make them more comfortable and less likely to become overstressed.
- Always bring extra supplies and have a back up plan in case your flight gets cancelled. Depending on which airline you’re flying, if your flight gets cancelled you may not be able to get another flight for a day or two.