You may need to take your homestead or pet rabbit on an extended car trip, especially if family, friends, or a favorite vet are a few hours away. Fortunatley, if you have questions about road tripping with rabbits, you’ve come to the right place!
This post is all about how to travel with a rabbit in the car and will answer the most common questions and share the best practices regarding traveling with rabbits.
First one up is, do bunnies get carsick?
No, bunnies do not get carsick. However, there are a number of important, non-negotiable steps to take when traveling with your bunny in a car that can make the difference between life and death for a rabbit on the road.
Before undertaking travel with a rabbit in the car, make sure to read below on how to safely and surely make it to your destination together, happy and healthy!
How To Take A Rabbit On A Road Trip
While rabbits don’t experience car sickness (aka motion sickness), which is common in other pets or homestead animals like dogs, they can suffer from heat, fatigue, stress and more on a short or long road trip.
Remember, rabbits are natural prey animals and are prone to interpret any unknown, new, or surprising event or object as dangerous. This triggers their natural flight response that results in a faster heart rate, the urge to run, and general stress. Therefore, it is very important that your rabbit becomes familiar with some aspects of going on a road trip before actually leaving!
Preparing Your Rabbit For Travel
- A Proper Rabbit Carrier
The safest place for a rabbit in a car is a comfortable animal carrier or crate. Plastic or metal ones are best as they are resistant to damage and are lightweight. A nice carrier offers your bunnies a personal space to rest and relax during the trip while keeping them out of dangerous places like under seats, among the drivers feet, or up on the car dash.
A top loading carrier is preferred over a carrier with a door on the side. Additionally, placing the carrier lengthwise from side to side in the seat and buckling the carrier in place using the seatbelt will help keep your rabbit safe.
Before heading out, it is important to familiarize your rabbit with their carrier. We recommend bringing it into their space and allowing them to sniff and explore it. You can coax them to go inside with some natural fruit treats but should never force them!
Each rabbit must become familiar with their carrier free from fear or alarm. This is essential to making sure your rabbit feels good during the road trip. They will soon enjoy their crate or carrier as it can remind them of being in a rabbit den!
Moreover, if there is a blanket, toy, or treat food that your rabbit especially enjoys, feel free to place it near the carrier or offer him the favorite treat when he is near or in the carrier. This will help your bunny learn NOT to fear the carrier and understand it as a safe, calm place to be.
The darker you can make the carrier the better. This will help the rabbit feel like it is tucked away in a safe, dark place away from predators.
Lastly, temperature matters. If it is summer and the car is hot inside, then before loading the carrier and the bunny in the hot car, take the car for a spin to get the air conditioning pumping and the car cooled down. The car’s air temperature is not as critical in the winter as rabbits are very cold tolerant, as long as there is not cold air blowing directly on them. Similarly, if it is winter and you are running the car heater, then you want to make sure the hot air is not blowing directly on the rabbit.
- Water On The Go
Making sure your rabbit has full time access to water during the road-trip is also non-negotiable. Don’t plan to pull over or take your rabbit out of the carrier in the moving car to offer her water.
Instead, invest in a small, easily portable water dispenser that is available to her in her carrier so that she can drink as needed on the go!
- Be Aware Of Temperature
Rabbits are quickly stressed in hot temperatures, as it can be very difficult for them to cool their body down if they get too hot. For this reason, ALWAYS cool down the car before placing your rabbit inside and place your rabbit’s carrier in a shaded, but well ventilated, spot inside the car. This will help them remain calm and cool during the trip!
- Introduction The Bunny To The Car SLOWLY
Once your rabbit feels comfortable in their carrier, it is time to introduce them to your car.
You must do this slowly, first bringing them inside the car while holding and talking gently to them. Next, placing them in their carrier inside the car, allowing them to familiarize themselves with this sensation. Next, bring them to the car while it’s running for them to get used to the engine. Then, when they are used to this, go ahead and start the car with them in it.
All of these steps will help minimize stress for your rabbit and can be repeated as much as needed for your rabbit to feel safe!
- Do A Few Practice Trips
Once your rabbit feels comfortable being inside the car in their carrier, drive a bit with them and allow them to become familiar with the sensation and noises of road tripping. Talking gently to them and offering them small treats can help them feel good during this new experience.
Traveling With Your Rabbit
Alright! Now that you and your rabbit are good to go, here are some important notes for on the road practices with your furry friend
- Bring Food and Treats
Be sure to bring food that your rabbits are used to eating (like hay and quality pellets) so that they feel normal and secure while traveling. Changing their food during a road trip can result in high stress and even death!
You can also offer your rabbit a bit more treats (opt for natural fruits, veggies or leafy greens) during traveling time to help keep them happy.
- Schedule Time Outside of the Car
Your bunny will need to stretch their legs after a few hours in the car. Plan to pause at a grassy rest stop or park and allow them to get back on the ground, use the bathroom, and nibble a bit of grass. Feel free to use a proper rabbit harness during this time: Can Rabbits Wear A Harness?.
The most important thing is to BE AWARE as aggressive dogs or loud people can frighten your rabbit and make them bolt!
Many people ask how long can a rabbit travel in a car? and our answer is that, during daylight hours, it is best for rabbits to get a rest from car travel levery 3-4 hours. However, every rabbit is different and you may need to schedule a stop every 2-3 hours if your rabbit seems sensitive. And during nighttime hours, as long as they seem calm and relaxed, you can drive on as they sleep!
- Calming Your Rabbit In the Car
Here are some tips for calming your rabbit down if they become stressed when road-tripping!
- If startled by loud noises like horns honking, sirens, or large trucks – talk gently to them and offer a small treat to reassure them that it is okay.
- If running around their carrier in a frantic manner – pull over and allow them to get back on the ground and walk a bit. This will eliminate any fears or stress they feel and can act as a reset for their nervous system.
- If panting heavily or breathing shallowly – make sure there is good airflow through their crate and place them in the shade or near an A/C vent to help cool them.
- If traveling with two rabbits who don’t like to be together – use an individual crate for each rabbit, don’t force them to be together as this will prevent them from feeling calm throughout the trip.
- If traveling with two rabbits who seem to be stressed when NOT together – allow them to share the same crate for the road trip, just make sure it is big enough for both of them!
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Travel With A Rabbit In The Car
Can Bunnies Do Long Car Rides?
Bunnies can do lengthy car rides as long as you take the time to familiarize them with the process and feeling of a road trip, bring proper food and water, and schedule time outside the crate and car for them!
Video About Preparing To Travel With Rabbit In a Car
Final Thoughts on Travel With A Rabbit
When it comes to taking your rabbit on a car trip, remember these most important points:
- Rabbits do not experience motion sickness like other animals but can become stressed from a car trip.
- As naturally nervous animals, a rabbit must feel comfortable and safe in its portable carrier before being taken anywhere.
- Bunnies must be familiar with the smell, sounds and space of your car before the road trip happens.
- Rabbits should never be outside of their carrier when in the car.
- Never place or leave your rabbit in a hot car as this will quickly stress and overheat them.
Overall, prepping yourself and your bunny for a road trip simply requires patience and forward thinking.
Here is a related article: Can You Take A Rabbit On A Plane?