No special secrets – but could you take her out for short journeys more often to make it normal? Take her out for maybe 5-10 minutes than whip home for yummy nom-noms? You could then build up the journey time.

It would probably be worth poking RabbitPam and asking – I believe she has moved states with Spockie in tow, so she might have some valuable advice.

My bunnies have always been terrified of the car, but recently BunBun has been sick and had to go to the vet several times. We had to drive 30 minutes round trip to the local vet every other day before I learned to do sub q fluids at home, and our regular vet is a 2 hour round trip. I noticed that after a few times, BunbUn started calming down a lot. The last time I took him in the car, he stretched right out in his carrier to relax! I was so pleased- I don’t think that bunnies will lay down if they are really scared. To make the trip as comfy as possoble for Bun, I put a nice thick towel in the bottom of his carrier so he won’t slide around in the carrier when I make turns, and bring something from home that he lays on, like his blanket. Keep in mind, however, that they do tend to pee in the carrier- at least BunBun does! He usually forces at least 3 pees out per car ride- lol. I always put hay and greens in the carrier too, bring a water bottle (laid on it’s side so it doesn’t spill everywhere) and bring some treats for him as a reward. He doesn’t usually eat much while traveling, but he has started to snack a bit now that he’s less frightened. I also put his carrier in the front seat with the door facing me (I belt the carrier in too). Then I open the door and pet him while we’re driving. That’s probably not the safest idea, since if we had an accident the carrier door would be open, but I can’t resist patting him. I prefer to have my husband or son drive, but it can’t always happen. I only open Bun’s carrier door because he’s so tame- I wouldn’t advise it for a wilder bunny!
Also, I have heard of something called Rescue Remedy which you give to bunnies before trip or stressful experience and it calms them. I’ve never used it but I would check it out. Good luck with this- I hope Peppy becomes a happy traveling bun! But if she just can’t adapt, I don’t think it’s wrong to for your bf to leave her home every few weekends as long as someone rabbit savvy visits her at least once/twice a day and hangs out with her for a while, just to make sure she’s acting normally and not too lonely. Maybe you guys could adopt a husband for Peppy to keep her company…?

I think it’s definitely possible for her to get more used to it as you do it more. Otto has been on many car trips (shortest is 30min, longest is almost 8 hours) and he comes out of all of them easily – I think because he’s done it so many times. I can set the carrier down on the floor at my parents’ house after 8 hours and he’s out and exploring immediately. I didn’t do anything special to get him used to this, other than taking him places besides the vet. If the only trips your bun goes on are too the vet, then you can’t blame her for being scared 😉

Hannah has only really been to the vet, plus a couple other trips, so she’s very scared in the car. She also spent her first 3 years living in NYC, so she may have never been in a car before. I want to work with her on shorter trips that end in a happy place, rather than the vet’s office. I think getting her used to the carrier will also be a priority, because she starts breathing quickly as soon as she’s inside.

Oh, for two years the boyf was in Canada and I was in Pittsburgh. Because of this Felony is an international traveller. He did 6-8 hour drives at least once a month for over two years, not to mention the monthly to every 2 month trip to my parents 3 hours away. I always just made sure when we got to where we were going he stayed in his confined area until I saw him drink and saw some poops. Travel is definitely doable especially if its only 3-4 hours every couple of weeks.

Dutchess was a nervous wreck for any car ride when I first got her, but now three or four trips a month averaging 15-30 minutes to go to Hoppy Hour and back, or the vet for a nail trim and back, or to the store (I stay in the car with her, mom runs in for a few things) and she’s getting much more relaxed on car trips. She is still nervous and breathes harder, but now she’s laying in her carrier and grooming and such. The more you do it the more your bun will begin adjusting, just keep an eye out for eating/drinking/toilet after the trip.

Omg Franz has a fluffy wool bottom (like 2 inches) on his soft carrier. Ellen at the HRS says to put a stuffed animal inside the carrier. I hvent tried it yet. I open the top and let Franz poke hi head out his ears are up and he looks curious. He doesn’t like bumps though. I pet him with one hand the whole time