Best carrier for two small rabbits?

[joea64]

One of the more important pieces of bunny gear I need to buy for Panda and Fernando is, of course, a carrier for their field trips (whether to the vet, to local bunny events, etc., etc.) Their foster mom told me Sunday that she suggests a smaller rather than a larger one, since one certainly doesn’t want them bouncing and rattling around in the event of fender-benders or sudden stops and possibly getting hurt. Both buns are small rabbits, no more than 4 pounds each, so I need a carrier in which they can fit together snugly, comfortably and safely with the option to add any necessary extras such as frozen water bottles (VERY necessary in Northern Virginia summers!) Any ideas?

[Wick & Fable]

I’ve seen some people just put cages in the back of their car. Would your vehicle trunk/back seats cater to this?

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[joea64]

Possibly. I have a 2016 Hyundai Accent SE sedan. The buns’ foster mom showed me how to attach the seat belt to the carrier on Sunday, I imagine the process would be similar for a cage. I’m a bit dubious about using a cage because I don’t want the bunnies to get hurt by being thrown against metal cage wires in event of an accident or sudden stop as I mentioned in the OP, but I suppose I could put down some form of cushioning.

[sarahthegemini]

This is the one I have for my two (one weighs just over 2 kg, the other just under 2 kg) and it’s a comfortable size – big enough that they can lay down and turn around when both in it but not so large that they would get ‘thrown around’ on a bumpy journey. Of course I pad it out with blankets anyway My vets is only about a 15 minute drive though so I don’t need to worry about adding frozen water bottles but I do hint it would be big enough to accommodate that.

[joea64]

Posted By sarahthegemini on 8/11/2017 7:51 AM

This is the one I have for my two (one weighs just over 2 kg, the other just under 2 kg) and it’s a comfortable size – big enough that they can lay down and turn around when both in it but not so large that they would get ‘thrown around’ on a bumpy journey. Of course I pad it out with blankets anyway My vets is only about a 15 minute drive though so I don’t need to worry about adding frozen water bottles but I do hint it would be big enough to accommodate that.

Thanks – I had to dig a bit to find it because it’s under a different model number, but I found it on US Amazon:

Carrier

Which size are we talking about here for two small rabbits – small, medium, large, or extra-large? The reviews on US Amazon are kind of critical, though (only about 2.5 stars out of 5).

The vet recommended to me for regular care is fairly close by too, and hopefully I won’t need to take the buns there for other than regular checkups and wellness maintenance for a long time to come.

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By joea64 on 8/11/2017 8:40 AM

Posted By sarahthegemini on 8/11/2017 7:51 AM

This is the one I have for my two (one weighs just over 2 kg, the other just under 2 kg) and it’s a comfortable size – big enough that they can lay down and turn around when both in it but not so large that they would get ‘thrown around’ on a bumpy journey. Of course I pad it out with blankets anyway My vets is only about a 15 minute drive though so I don’t need to worry about adding frozen water bottles but I do hint it would be big enough to accommodate that.

Thanks – I had to dig a bit to find it because it’s under a different model number, but I found it on US Amazon:

Carrier

Which size are we talking about here for two small rabbits – small, medium, large, or extra-large? The reviews on US Amazon are kind of critical, though (only about 2.5 stars out of 5).

The vet recommended to me for regular care is fairly close by too, and hopefully I won’t need to take the buns there for other than regular checkups and wellness maintenance for a long time to come.

Oops, sorry i didnt specify! I got the extra large. I’ve personally had no issues with it whatsoever

[joea64]

I’ll cogitate on it, then. Panda and Fernando’s foster mom does say “smaller is better”, so I might get a smaller size for them, being they’re small buns.

[Pinkbun]

I would recommend a regular sized cat carrier. This is the type I use for two dwarf rabbits and it provides good ventilation and room for movement. The small ones made for small animals and rabbits are not suitable. I found my rabbits got stressed in the small carriers but not in the big ones so I recommend a cat carrier.

[jerseygirl]

I’d consider a top opening carrier or one that has both options; top and front opening. Really useful for those times at the vet when they wont come out of the carrier.

p.s. I edited a post with a link as it was playing up with the screen size. It now says “carrier” in blue text in place of the long url. Hope that’s okay!

[joea64]

Great idea on the top/front loading carrier (wish I could do the same for the habitat, but it’s two levels and if they’re ever in a mood not to come out they’ll likely be hiding in their litterbox or hidey box on the bottom level!) Thanks for fixing the link. I’m going to pick up their playpen at Friends of Rabbits’ weekly Q&A session today at Pet Supplies Plus so I’ll ask them to help me find a good one.

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By jerseygirl on 8/12/2017 6:09 AM

I’d consider a top opening carrier or one that has both options; top and front opening. Really useful for those times at the vet when they wont come out of the carrier.

p.s. I edited a post with a link as it was playing up with the screen size. It now says “carrier” in blue text in place of the long url. Hope that’s okay!

It’s great to have a top opening but if not, the carrier I linked has a removable top. It just clips into place so you can unclip it, remove top, remove rabbit etc 

[joea64]

Posted By sarahthegemini on 8/12/2017 7:14 AM

Posted By jerseygirl on 8/12/2017 6:09 AM

I’d consider a top opening carrier or one that has both options; top and front opening. Really useful for those times at the vet when they wont come out of the carrier.

p.s. I edited a post with a link as it was playing up with the screen size. It now says “carrier” in blue text in place of the long url. Hope that’s okay!

It’s great to have a top opening but if not, the carrier I linked has a removable top. It just clips into place so you can unclip it, remove top, remove rabbit etc 

That’ll be especially good for installing a litterbox in there (my friends at Friends of Rabbits, when I conferred with them this morning, recommended disposable litterboxes for the purpose). I’m actually going to hold off on getting the carrier for a bit; none of the ones available at Pet Supplies Plus this morning quite suited, and Friends of Rabbits has some in stock (they sell a wide variety of bunny gear) which may answer better, so I’m going to wait on them to check their supply closets.

[joea64]

After some more thought, I think I’m going to get this carrier:

https://smile.amazon.com/Petmate-24-Inch-Kennel-Metallic-Coffee/dp/B0062JFGM0/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_t

Friends of Rabbits uses this carrier and in fact they asked for it on their “baby bunny shower” wish list earlier this year (interestingly enough, that party was for Panda and her kits! ) Pet Supplies Plus has this carrier for $39.98 for Preferred Pet Club (discount program) members, and I also got 25% coupons for both Panda and Fernando last weekend, so I think I can get this one for $32 including tax. The thing to do will be to pad it suitably so the buns have secure footing and don’t get tossed about in (knock wood) event of accident or sudden stop; I’ll likely be using disposable litterboxes with hay and litter in there too.

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