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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 12sd replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 2 months ago by quietriot.

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- 02/15/2014 at 7:24 AM
  quietriot
  Participant
  9 posts
  I am travelling overseas to Liverpool next week to get my new baby rabbits from a friend. Now, the planes would not allow rabbits to travel, and the boat said they could travel if placed in a dog kennel (in the dog lodge) on board during the journey (8 hours
  
  ). So, the boat it is. These kennels have overhead heaters in each one. My questions are, what size carrier would be the best for two baby rabbits, what bedding should i use in it, and should i stuff the carrier full of hay and how much food should i give them for the journey, or should i feed them over time to make them less stressed (i am allowed access 24/7) A water bottle will be attached to the front of the carrier. I’m wondering whether or not to put a snuggle safe heat pad in with them because i don’t want them to overheat but it is really rather cold here at the moment. Any advise to make this as stress-free as it can be would be so appreciated. Thank you, i do realise this isn’t ideal but it is already planned before i realised how difficult it is for the buns
- 02/15/2014 at 10:23 AM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  That all sounds pretty exciting, and I can’t answer all of your questions, but I think I can with some.
  First, rabbits much prefer cold to hot, so if it’s above 55 degrees, they are quite content. Remember, they all have fur coats, so it’s rare that it’s too cold. I would not add the heating pad. Little mouths will also find it and bite, and you risk danger of electric shock from it, or wires, or of ingesting fabric (intestinal blockage.)
  
  In addition to the water bottle, add a water crock, or a low sided water bowl next to or under it. Make the bottle accessible, but if it drains, or doesn’t work, or a bunny won’t use it, the bowl will get them water instead. If it sloshes around, rethink, or get one that clamps to a side bar so it doesn’t flip or spill. You can drop a little litter under it to catch drips, as well as under the hanging one. Not so much that they think they should pee there.
  
  Pack or request plenty of disposable bags for cleaning out litter. Keep their feet dry. Use paper towels. The kind of litter is whatever they use best. I actually would try the basic Carefresh litter (unscented, no colors or the white) since it is absorbant like pelleted, but softer like shavings. Avoid pine and cedar shavings – they are dangerous. Feline pine is a safe pellet litter to use and cheap (and here in grocery stores so easier to find.) Aspen shavings are best, soft wood and absorb odor very well. Harder to find. That’s why I think the Carefresh is a good compromise.
  
  You can have a hay bin in the cage. You can also hang it over the litter pan to encouraging using the litter while eating the hay. If that’s too difficult, stuff one corner (only) of the big litter pan with a pile of the hay, so they can eat and pee/poo simultaneously. Just be sure to clean out the hay often from that spot. Do not teach them to pee on their hay.
  
  I would get the biggest carrier you can handle, with a pan bottom rather than fabric. Try to find one that you can slide the bottom out totally for easy dumping to clean. Or, get one that opens at the top, so you can reach down and lift it out, or clean from above. It’s easier to catch your bunnies from above also. Might cost more, but worth it for their lifetime. They make top opening bunny carriers. If it’s not right, get a small top opening one to set them in while you work wth the dog carrier.
- 02/15/2014 at 12:09 PM
  quietriot
  Participant
  9 posts
  Thank you so much, this advice is brilliant. I’ll get a big carrier that is top opening and try and get some sort of hay rack to fit in and i’ll just keep going to refill it. A crock for the water bottle is a good idea too. I will use carefresh on the floor, would they need a blanket or anything? also, the staff at stena line (boat company) told me to wrap a fleece around the carrier. Not sure if thats a great idea or not? Might make them feel safer. In any case thank you for the effort put into this reply! Means a lot. I will let you know how this goes haha x
- 02/15/2014 at 12:10 PM
  quietriot
  Participant
  9 posts
  http://www.monsterpetsupplies.co.uk/p-17238-ferplast-atlas-deluxe-20-open-dog-and-cat-carrier.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=google-shopping&gclid=COiemandzrwCFRDLtAodxVsAkQ
  
  how would this be?
- 02/15/2014 at 4:47 PM
  Eepster
  Participant
  1236 posts
  Are you planning to keep them together or separate? I don’t recommend one over the other, since it will depend on whether they are closely bonded already and stuff like that I don’t know, but it is something to think about and plan for.
  
  Have they started greens yet, or are they still too young? Greens are a good way to make sure they have spill proof moisture during the more jostling parts of the journey, but of course won’t be enough for the full 8 hours.
  
  I’ll go further than Rabbitpam on the not worrying about cold. When I was young, my bunny lived out doors all winter long in NJ where it can go as low as -5f (-20c.) I’d be more worried about the heat lamps being too warm, than the bunnies getting cold. Unless they are very very young.
- 02/16/2014 at 1:00 AM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  Yep! Living in Australia and currently enduring ‘another’ heatwave (SO OVER IT!), I have the A/C on for Henry and the dogs.
  Winter? I put the heater on – for ME! Thanks to BB I learnt that the heat affects bun’s WAY more than the cold. Obviously not being exposed to your weather conditions I can’t make any suggestions other than to say it is important your bun’s don’t get overheated. (Heat is my only experience, doh!).
  Anyway quietriot, I bet you’ll be sooo excited having your new babies, you’ll spend your whole trip home with them in the dog lodge, ha ha hah.
  Wishing all a safe trip home. Exciting!!!!! Cheers quietriot.
- 02/16/2014 at 5:44 AM
  quietriot
  Participant
  9 posts
  Posted By Eepster on 02/15/2014 04:47 PM
  Are you planning to keep them together or separate? I don’t recommend one over the other, since it will depend on whether they are closely bonded already and stuff like that I don’t know, but it is something to think about and plan for.
  
  Have they started greens yet, or are they still too young? Greens are a good way to make sure they have spill proof moisture during the more jostling parts of the journey, but of course won’t be enough for the full 8 hours.
  
  I’ll go further than Rabbitpam on the not worrying about cold. When I was young, my bunny lived out doors all winter long in NJ where it can go as low as -5f (-20c.) I’d be more worried about the heat lamps being too warm, than the bunnies getting cold. Unless they are very very young.
  
  They will be together during the journey, as they are siblings and live together at the moment anyway they do get on and hopefully won’t fight! Im planning on having a water bottle with a crock bowl attached to catch any drops so they have enough water. They are 8 weeks old so not on greens yet. I think I will just put litter bedding on the bottom, with a hay rack that I’ll keep topping up and wrap a towel or blanket around their Carrier to stop the heat going directly onto the carrier? They are individual kennels so they are separated from any other dogs/cats (the noise wouldn’t bother them as they currently live around similar noises). Should I feed pellets slowly throughout the journey?
- 02/16/2014 at 5:56 AM
  quietriot
  Participant
  9 posts
  Posted By AndHenry on 02/16/2014 01:00 AM
  Yep! Living in Australia and currently enduring ‘another’ heatwave (SO OVER IT!), I have the A/C on for Henry and the dogs.
  Winter? I put the heater on – for ME! Thanks to BB I learnt that the heat affects bun’s WAY more than the cold. Obviously not being exposed to your weather conditions I can’t make any suggestions other than to say it is important your bun’s don’t get overheated. (Heat is my only experience, doh!).
  Anyway quietriot, I bet you’ll be sooo excited having your new babies, you’ll spend your whole trip home with them in the dog lodge, ha ha hah.
  Wishing all a safe trip home. Exciting!!!!! Cheers quietriot.
  
  Wowow that sounds hot! The weather would definetely not be freezing. It wouldn’t go below 2-3°c for them I would say. It’s 7°c at the moment here but the wind at sea would drop that by a few degrees. By 8 weeks would they tolerate the cold ok then? Naturally I assumed a baby animal would need heat but I suppose yes rabbits have evolved to live in freezing temperatures in the winter.
  
  I am so so excited. I’ve waited a long time for rabbits. It’s taken me 4 years to save up the money for their housing, neutering and vaccinating vet bills, food, toys, etc. Finally made it though! I won’t be leaving home for university which helped confirm the decision and I am very much the kind of person who would rather stay at home in bed with my animals than go out hehe! Sad but true. Excited isn’t the word! Ahhhhjjhcuhdibopm!!!
- 02/16/2014 at 6:07 AM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  Hey quietriot, you may wanna jump back on and edit out your age – your not allowed to say till your 46 like me, ha ha ha…. just jokes, but you do have to be 18+ before you can state your age. See, it’s not so bad getting old???? Lol!
  How fantastic are you!!!!! Saving and getting your buns all by yourself – you have my respect! And I’m with you – give me a comfy bed, a few dogs and a bunny and I’m set for the night too! ha haha…..
  Hey, which names did you settle on? I was the one who suggested Mildred and George (and Henry & Henrietta, LOL!). Cheers! Henry’s mum.
- 02/16/2014 at 1:33 PM
  quietriot
  Participant
  9 posts
  Ahh my bad, edited heh i guess it’s not that bad.
  
  Yes i am rather proud hahah! thank you theyre very loved bunnies. There isn’t a better night than one spent relaxing with animals!!
  
  I haven’t actually decided on what to name them it is so difficult! I was actually torn on George- still am. But I was considering Frith & Freya (frith, the rabbit lord from watership down and freya cause it’s pretty), Duke & Daisy, and George & Eden. I love Lily though. AHH names :@ I’m so picky!
- 02/17/2014 at 2:26 AM
  LongEaredLions
  Participant
  4482 posts
  Can’t wait for you to get your bunnies! You will know the right names when you get to know your babies.
- 02/17/2014 at 2:30 AM
  BinkyBunny
  Moderator
  8776 posts
  You said they would be in the dog lodge area. So I am assuming other dogs in their carriers will be there? Usually dogs will be barking etc, This could be a potential serious stressor for the bunnies. Not sure how to make that better for them, but I wanted to bring that up so that it could be addressed and hopefully someone else will have some ideas on what to do about that situation. You may want to ask if there are any alternatives if you find that is an issue.
- 02/17/2014 at 11:10 AM
  quietriot
  Participant
  9 posts
  I did think about the fact there would probably be dogs there in the kennels closest. I asked my friend (who has them at the moment) and she says they currently were born and live in outside hutches beside her dog kennels (where she keeps her own dogs) and that the buns are totally used to the noise, but told me not to let my own dogs actually interact with them because the noise is all they are used to when it comes to dogs. So in theory they should be ok, I hope. No dogs will actually come anywhere close to interacting with them.
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