Hi TLB,

There is a thread from last year regarding carriers and where to find the appropriately sized ones… It might take me a while to find it though.. Hopefully someone else will remember it and what it was called.
You could also take a little salad in a sealed container cut small enough to slip into the cage as I don’t think you are allowed to open them in flight. I also seem to remember a water source in the cage being mandatory but that could just be if the bunny is travelling in the cargo hold… Let me hunt up that old thread.

I would get paperwork from your vet saying he is in good health, and possibly his health records, so you can give this info to your new vet in Texas. You might not need it, but I’d rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it…

What are the carrier dimensions you need? Have you searched online?

Rules for airlines vary from airline to airline and are often open to interpretation when being enforced. You also will have to deal with the TSA and their rules which are very open to interpretation when being enforced. Remember the TSA will only let you carry a small amount of liquids, but you can buy water in the airport once you pass security.

Go to the airlines website and print out the regulation so you have a hard copy with you if some one gives you a hard time. Also, try calling the airline customer service number and asking a person what the rules are. You might even call a couple of time at different times of day, to see if the rules are being interpreted by airline employees consistently or inconsistently.

When I take Porky to the vet, I don’t put a water bottle in his carrier to avoid him getting poked if I have to stop short. I just give him parsley. If it’s going to be a short flight, I would give him water before you board the plane while you are seated then take it away till you are landed. If it is going to be a long flight, I would only give water briefly when the light goes off on the seatbelt sign, and take it away at the first sign of turbulence.

Have you considered how you are going to handle having his carrier Xrayed?

They should let you take him out, x-ray the carrier and give it back to you so you can put him back in. If they don’t offer it, ask (they might not realize right away that you have a pet with you). Don’t let them put him through the x-ray machine.

Does he just dislike it, or is he likely to bolt?

My previous bunny Nibbles would have been fine being taken out of his carrier and letting me carry him through the metal detector with crowds all whispering about how cute he was. He would nervously huddle against me and Nibble on my shirt (which was painful for me, but safe for him.) Nibbles willingly wore a harness and hopped on a leash, He was easy to pickup and I could trance him easily if necessary. His fear response was to freeze and stay with me. He was a mama-boy.

Porky on the other hand, is relaxed around people and would have little fear of being loose in the airport. He’s bold and curious, and would want to be down in the worst way. He would probably chew through the power cord of the x-ray machine and get us both in trouble. He would hop all over exploring everything and sking strangers for carrots. He will not wear a harness, and does not trance. It would not be safe to open his carrier in an airport, and would bolt if given the chance.

Barnaby and I have flown together four times for five to seven hours (twice on united). I love the soft, strong carriers because they fit under any seat and give him the maximum space. I give him infant gas drops (simethicone) before the trip and he doesn’t eat or drink much though I give him water and food. He does great and everyone loves ooooing and ahh ing over him. He is so vain, he loves the attention.

 I have paperwork showing he is an emotional support animal (I got him after my two siblings passed away) And that is it. you dont need anything else. a harness for security is a good idea. Dont forget to check in a day early! Checking in is a serious pain in the butt half the time and for me is the most anxious part of the trip because no one knows about bunnies (it’s not in the rules that they can ride cabin though emotional support miniature horses are fine somehow) so everyone was freaking out last time even after I explained he is a veteran flyer and only weighs 2 lbs. 

the last leg of this past trip was a bit harder because of all the weather delays (we only had five minutes to make our flight takeoff so we sprinted and Barnaby was NOT amused) anyways, we were at the back of a tiny plane which must have had an air pressure problem, because it was so loud and my ears were popping, so I knew his were . 

Posted By Kat9055 on 02/09/2014 01:59 AM

I have paperwork showing he is an emotional support animal (I got him after my two siblings passed away) And that is it. you dont need anything else.

TheLittleBunns bunny isn’t an emotional support animal (unless I missed that somewhere), so that’s not an option. She can’t just say it is, if it’s not. I hate it when people take advantage of the special treatment that service animals and their owners get. It makes life more difficult for people like you, who actually need them.

I’m surprised that they don’t require a health certificate though, or does that come included with the support animal paperwork? (sorry for going off topic).

Posted By Hazel on 02/09/2014 08:09 AM

Posted By Kat9055 on 02/09/2014 01:59 AM

I have paperwork showing he is an emotional support animal (I got him after my two siblings passed away) And that is it. you dont need anything else.

TheLittleBunns bunny isn’t an emotional support animal (unless I missed that somewhere), so that’s not an option. She can’t just say it is, if it’s not. I hate it when people take advantage of the special treatment that service animals and their owners get. It makes life more difficult for people like you, who actually need them.

I’m surprised that they don’t require a health certificate though, or does that come included with the support animal paperwork? (sorry for going off topic).

Yeah, it really does. it doesn’t matter if it is an emotional support animal (as far as the paperwork goes), same stuff needed! But airlines waive the fee in my case, which is so nice. Otherwise, it is around $90 to travel as a pet. There was no healthwork needed, I was surprised too! Everyone at security seriously loved him. It helps he is perfectly potty-trained!

Call United. I believe you need a health certificate from your vet dated within 7 days of the date of your flight.

Any update, TheLittleBuns? What have you been able to figure out?