fly or drive?

[tannr]

I am moving from Washington, DC to southern California in about a month and a half. This has been a pretty last minute decision so I haven’t had a lot of time to prepare, but I’m wondering what you all think would be the best way to transport my bun.

1st option: I am flying to San Francisco to visit my sisters the last week of August, and could potentially bring my bun with me on the plane (flying Frontier airlines which allows bunnies as carry-on). My parents are driving up from southern California to spend time with us, so I could have my parents take the bunny with them when they drive home (I’m moving in with them). The problem with this is that my first flight is from DC to Denver (approx. 4 hours) and then I have a 3 hour layover and then a 2 hour flight to SFO. 9 hours is a long time for bun to be in a carrier and I don’t think there will be anywhere I can safely take him out in the airport (and definitely not on the plane).

2nd option: After I get back from visiting my family in SF, I drive across the country with a friend and bunny. This would take about 4 days if we drive for 10 hours a day, but we would be able to stop every few hours and set up a pen for bunny to hop around in and give him some time on solid ground. He also would have more space and not experience the discomforting changes in air pressure, but it would take like 10 times as long.

I’m really torn over what to do. Is 9 hours of extreme discomfort better than 4 days of moderate discomfort??? Please help!

[Mikey]

If they drive with your bunny, they have to be ready to stop every 1 to 3 hours for about 10 minutes to water, feed, destress(pet, give treats, ect), and exercise your bunny. This is very important to help avoid your bunny going into Stasis or being overly stressed. If your rabbit is used to travel, you can easily go every 3 hours before taking a break, but if your rabbit is not or is one of the many rabbits who refuse to eat while in a carrier, youll have to take a break every hour

If your rabbit is ok eating in its carrier and is fairly used to travel, i would very much consider taking your bunny on the flight. Itll be over in one day, and although stops will be far and few inbetween to run, they can run when you reach your destination, and they will be eating in the carrier so its not as big of a deal. But if your rabbit isnt used to travel or refuses to eat in the carrier, youll have to go by car

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