If you are a homesteader or pet rabbit owner and have lots of car travel coming up you may be wondering about the best and safest ways to travel with rabbits.
So in this post, we will go over some of our tried and true practices when transporting or traveling with our rabbits, whether that be a quick ride to the vet or delivering newly mature rabbits to a neighboring farm!
Check out the cool multi-use pet stroller, carrier and backpack in the video below!!
Travel with Rabbit
When it comes to travel plans and your rabbits, there are a few general questions that we should get out of the way first:
Can My Rabbit Travel With Me?
Yes, rabbits can travel with their owners as long as you are taking an animal/pet friendly route and follow the guidelines and tips listed below!
Is It Safe To Travel With A Rabbit?
You are unlikely to come across any safety or health issues with your bunny if you travel smart, slow, and incorporate the important preliminary travel steps explained in this post!
Do Rabbits Like To Travel?
Traveling can be a point of stress for many rabbits, while other bunnies don’t seem to mind. Ultimately, whether or not a rabbit likes to travel is highly dependent on the disposition and nerves of the rabbit itself!
Can Rabbits Travel Long Distance ?
If you prepare for travel correctly, travel slowly and without pressure, and exercise vigilance in tending to your rabbits, they can travel multiple hours and even days in a car or other safe vehicle.
The Best Way To Transport Rabbits
The single most important step when planning to travel with your rabbit is Safety First. This is because proper preparation prevents poor performance and reduces stress for everyone.
That may be easier said than done, but here are some of our practiced safety measures and checks before we take our rabbits anywhere:
- Proper Rabbit Travel Hutch
A proper rabbit travel box or carrier is very important as it not only ensures the safety of your traveling bunnies, but also allows them to be comfortable and relaxed during the journey.
A large plastic animal carrier is often very good to use for bunnies. These have solid walls (with some venting holes) which make the inside of the carrier darker but ventilated. This helps rabbits feel hidden and more secure during travel.
Be sure to familiarize your rabbit with their travel box before they travel in it! Let them sniff, enter, and explore the carrier. This will help them realize it is a safe and calm space.
A word to the wise: soft sided carriers (cloth/cardboard combinations) are NOT to be used with rabbits as your curious friend will often chew on them. Instead, opt for a solid and durable rabbit travel hutch.
- Private Space For Your Rabbit
Once you have a solid carrier, prepare it for use by making it into a comfortable, private space for your rabbit.
We like to add newspaper to the bottom and then cover that with a soft towel, blanket or pet bed. We also always tuck some fresh hay in there as a snack! And if you are traveling with two rabbits make sure the carrier is big enough for both of them.
Note: Rabbits that get along like to sit side-by-side because it helps them feel more secure and less stressed. But be careful to not overcrowd or block airflow in their carrier!
We do not recommend using a wire cage! These tend to be larger and the wiring does not help to create a private, hidden atmosphere. As such, most rabbits don’t feel secure in wire cages. In addition, too much room is actually a risk as rabbits can get tossed about in the cage!
If you must use a wire cage, then pad the inside with newspaper, towel and blankets for comfort and cover a good portion of it with a sheet or blanket so rabbits feel hidden.
- Rabbit Travel Buddies
When at all possible, have two friendly and well acquainted rabbits traveling together. A solitary rabbit will tend to be more stressed while a pair of rabbits will feel more secure and relaxed together. Simply make sure there is enough room for both and provide them with water and place their carrier in a well ventilated space.
Must-Dos When Traveling With Rabbit
If you are planning a trip with your rabbit, be sure to follow these must-dos before heading out!
- If it is a hot day, then cool the vehicle down before loading the carrier by running AC for at least 5 minutes beforehand
- Ensure that your rabbit carrier is not in direct sunlight during travel. Even with AC, a carrier that is directly in the sun shining through a window can get very hot!
- If it is cold and you have the car heater on for your comfort, then make sure the vents are not blowing the hot air directly on the carrier. Remember, rabbits prefer the air temperature to be below 75F.
- Place your bunny in the backseat of the car for travel. The front seat airbags pose a threat to them and dashboard air vents may blow AC/heat too close to your rabbit.
- Use the seatbelt to secure your rabbit’s carrier inside the vehicle. This will prevent any sudden stops from throwing your rabbits around.
- Always bring water and natural, rabbit-friendly fruit snacks or rabbit-safe veggie snacks as your rabbit must remain hydrated, especially on longer trips. Be sure to pull over and offer them water at least once an hour if you don’t invest in an automatic (small) drip water bottle for the inside of their carrier.
As always, temperature is a big deal for rabbits! If the car is hotter than usual DO NOT place your rabbit inside. Instead, make sure it is fully cooled before starting your trip!
And if the vehicle is colder than usual, but you can stand the cold, then your bunnies should be fine. Feel free to bring an extra blanket if you plan on passing through very cold climates with them.
It is important to know that a sick rabbit will require more blankets and warmth sources than a healthy rabbit during travel.
Rabbit Travel Kit
Want to know the essentials we bring when traveling with our rabbits? Here is a list of plan-ahead items in our rabbit travel kit:
- Extra Drinking Water
- Rabbit Food – snacks for short trips, hay and pellets for longer trips)
- Extra Blanket
- Pet Safe Cleaning Supplies and Cleaning Towels – useful for any stress induced urine spray.
- A Towel, Trash Bag, or Rabbit-Safe Puppy Pad – used under the seat in case of spills or urine leaks.
- A Pack-n-Play or Folding Play Pen – ideal for longer trips so that your rabbits don’t have to stay in the carrier overnight.
- A Rabbit Harness – allows your rabbit to safely walk and stretch at rest stops!
All of these items can easily fit in a designated rabbit travel bag that you can grab and carry with ease!
This Video Discusses the Best Travel Items For Rabbits?
Final Thoughts On How to Travel With Rabbit
If you plan and prepare yourself and your rabbits for your trip, it can be a stress free and enjoyable time for all involved. Now, if you are specifically wanting more information about long road trips with your rabbit, check out our post on How To Take A Rabbit On A Road Trip for great guidelines and safety information!
Finally, let us know if there are specific items you make sure to carry in your own rabbit travel bag that you didn’t see here, we would love to hear about them via our contact page.
Here is another related article: Can You Take A Rabbit On A Plane?