Can You Take A Rabbit On A Plane

Yes or No: Can You Take A Rabbit On A Plane?

If you are planning a short or long vacation that requires a flight, you may think that it is impossible to bring your pet or homestead rabbit with you. 

Think again! That’s right, you can take a rabbit on a plane and enjoy your time-off with your furry friend. 

However, there are a number of things to consider before and during a plane ride with a bunny. 

Fortunately, we at Hobby Farm Heaven are here to share the most important considerations, so read on! 

How Can I Take My Rabbit On A Plane

Traveling with rabbits is definitely possible. In fact, taking pets on planes has been a thing since before the 1980’s, and pet owners have been traveling with their pet rabbits in cars for even longer! 

But before we get into how to take your bunny on a plane, lets go over some important facts about rabbits.

How To Bring A Rabbit On A Plane

Traveling with bunnies is safe and easy when done properly. 

First, while rabbits are not prone to experiencing motion sickness, they can easily become overheated, fatigued, or stressed during travel. 

Remember, rabbits are natural prey animals and will likely interpret any unknown, new, or surprising event, noise, or object as a threat.  

This triggers their natural flight response which results in:

  • Faster heart rate
  • The urge to run
  • General stress

These three reactions can lead to a negative traveling experience for both you and your rabbit and even the deadly state of rabbit shock

Therefore, it is very important that your rabbit becomes familiar with some aspects of going on a plane before actually doing so!

Preparing Your Rabbit For Flight

  • A Proper Rabbit Carrier

The safest place for a rabbit in a plane is a comfortable animal carrier or crate. 

Plane safe carriers include both soft sided and hard sided crates, although we suggest a hard sided one for you bunnies.

A good carrier will also offer your bunny a personal space to rest and relax during the trip while keeping them secure and safe.

Before starting your trip, it is VERY 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 then coax them to go inside with some natural fruit treats, but never force them inside.

Each rabbit must become familiar with their carrier free from fear or alarm. This is essential in making sure your rabbit feels good inside their crate during the plane ride. If introduced properly, rabbits will enjoy their crate or carrier as it can remind them of being in a rabbit den and feeling safe!

  • Make The Traveling Space Familiar 

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. 

Finally, 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. 

Traveling With Your Rabbit

Once your rabbit is comfortable with their animal travel carrier, it will be that much easier to pack them up and catch your flight!

Note that it is best to bring your rabbit on a plane in the cabin and/or as a carry-on. 

This is the most comfortable and low stress flying situation for your rabbit, as being carried in cargo can be very loud and bumpy and only the bravest and hardiest rabbits can handle it. 

Fortunately, a large number of airlines allow pets to travel in the cabin space (more on that later!). 

Important rabbit health tips when traveling with your bunny:

  • Water On The Go

Making sure your rabbit has full time access to water during the trip is non-negotiable. However, don’t plan to take your rabbit out of the carrier as all airlines require pets to remain in their crates during the duration of the flight. 

Instead, invest in a small, easily portable water dispenser that is available to them in their carrier so that they can drink as needed on the go!

 

  • Travel with Rabbit Food 

When flying you can only bring dry pet food with you. 

As such, good quality rabbit pellets are the best bet for many rabbit owners. Especially because bringing any grasses, veggies, or fruits may be prohibited depending on your destination. 

We recommend no more than a quart ziplock bag of dry food per rabbit!

  • Be Aware Of Temperature 

Rabbits are quickly stressed in hot temperatures, as it can be very difficult for them to cool their body down. 

For this reason, do your best to keep them cool during the flight and check on them every once and a while.

Related Post: How To Calm a Rabbit Down 

Bringing Your Rabbit on The Plane

Different airlines have different size restrictions when it comes to soft and hard animal carriers.

However, the general rules are:

  • Soft sided animal carriers with the dimensions of 18″ L x 11″ W x11″ H are accepted at most major US airlines. However, hard sided animal carrier dimensions are always smaller and vary between airlines. 
  • The rabbit must be inside the carrier at all times and the carrier must not have any holes or openings that the rabbit’s head or body can poke out of.
  • If your carrier has pockets, all the better for carrying extra pee pads or accessories! However, these pockets should be zip-closing rather than velcro or button. 
  • Most airlines allow more than one pet on the plane, but some require any additional pets (any more than 3) to be held in cargo rather than in-cabin. Check with your specific airline for their particular policy. 
  • The rabbit carrier must fit and remain under the seat at all times during the flight.

Fortunately, many rabbit friendly travel carriers are made to fit the airline size restrictions but it is always a good idea to check the exact dimensions before purchasing one! 

And for more information about traveling with rabbits, visit PetTravel.com to look up the specific pet traveling policies of over 160 airlines.

Airlines That Allow Rabbits On Board

As of 2021, these are the following airlines that allow rabbits on board: 

Frontier Airlines

Alaska Airlines

WestJet

Spirit Airlines

Finnair

Flying Internationally With A Rabbit

Many airlines will allow you to fly internationally with your rabbit as long as your rabbit is in good health and the country you are traveling to accepts pet passengers. 

Note that the cost of flying with your rabbit ranges from 50 to 125 USD or more depending on the airline and the destination. 

When flying with pets, some carriers allow you to buy a seat next to you on which you can place one small pet carrier, but any additional pets must be kept under the seat or in cargo. 

So, before booking an international flight with a rabbit we highly recommend calling your airline for their most up-to-date instructions and policies! 

How Do Rabbits Do On Planes?

Rabbits normally do well on planes as long as they are in a safe, familiar carrier and can remain close to you.

However, nervous or anxious rabbits are more prone to be stressed by unfamiliar situations and may not do well traveling. In addition, baby and young rabbits are more sensitive so we recommend waiting until your rabbit is at least 12 weeks of age before traveling with them.

Which Airlines Allow Rabbits In Cabin?

Many airlines allow pets and rabbits to be fly in cabin, including: 

Final Thoughts on Can I Take My Rabbit On A Plane

Flying with your rabbit is never out of the question, it simply requires planning and prepping! 

If you’d like to take your bunny on a plane, simply prepare them and yourself by making sure their carrier is familiar and comfortable for them, you have all of thier needs during the trip covered, and of course directly checking all pet policies of your chosen airline by phone or in person. 

This video is full of great information about traveling with your rabbit on a plane! 

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