Flying with a Rabbit

[Jordain]

Since the holiday seasons are among us, I was wondering if people had any tips for flying with their buns? I’m visiting family next week for almost three weeks. I flew with my chinchillas when I was a young girl and they seemed to be fine with flying in cabin. 
 and I really don’t want to leave Murray with a sitter over the holidays (and as a paranoid bunny mama I can’t anyone lol). I want to bring him with me. He doesn’t mind car rides at all, he’s been on car a lot for rides that are up to an hour. He’ll hop in his carrier on his own and munch on hay and sit back and relax the whole ride. 

My concerns are- My airline (united) charges $125 for each way which isn’t too bad (cheaper than a sitter) and will let him fly in cabin if his “hard-sided kennels are 17.5 inches long x 12 inches wide x 7.5 inches high or soft-sided kennels are 18 inches long x 11 inches wide x 11 inches high” Murray is almost 10lbs, is this too small of a space for him? I don’t want him to fly in cargo.

Also, this will be a longer journey.. the flight is 5 hours total, 2 1/2 hours with a 2 hour layover (which i figure is good since i can get him some water and change his litter pan)  and then another 2 1/2 hours.

Am I crazy for wanting to bring my bun with me? What experiences do you guys have with traveling with your rabbits? Anyone have tips for flying with larger breeds?

[Jordain]

also! any information on using a soft carrier would be much appreciated. I like how it would be a larger carrier but I know some say that bunnies chew through it.. Murrays not a big fabric chewer he only chews on his toys, do you guys think it would be a big issue?

[Standard_Procedure]

Posted By Jordain on 12/05/2014 11:14 PM

also! any information on using a soft carrier would be much appreciated. I like how it would be a larger carrier but I know some say that bunnies chew through it.. Murrays not a big fabric chewer he only chews on his toys, do you guys think it would be a big issue?

Depending on the airline you probably will be restricted on what type of carriers you can use. Usually they ask for something really small, with only one door, made entirely of metal. Even if a carrier is marked as airline approved pet carrier you want to make sure it’s approved for the specific flight you’re taking, not approved in another country or airport only flying to another destination.

[Little Lion Head]

You’re not crazy! I don’t trust anyone either. I’m not sure how many times I’ve told my adult brother that rabbits don’t like to be picked up and what’s the first thing he does when he gets here over Thanksgiving? Tried to pick up Pumpkin of course! Ugh…off topic, but I get why you want to bring your bunny with you! I don’t have any flight advice, but we’ll be taking Pumpkin on a Grandparent tour over Christmas. 4 hours to my parents for a few days, 2 hours to in-laws for a few days, then 3 hours home. Good luck!

[Jordain]

@standard_procedure, the airline approves medium sized sherpa carrying cases. they’re 18 inches long x 10.5 inches wide x 11 inches high. So if I take him I would purchase one of those I think! I’m not worried about getting him on the plane, i’m more concerned with if he’ll have enough space.

@little lion head, Isn’t it strange how people do that! My house cleaner saw me giving Murray a sliver of apple as a treat once and started feeding him huge chunks of apples. I felt bad telling her she couldn’t do that because I know she just wanted to show him love since hes so cute but I also don’t want him to get a huge sweet tooth or bunny diabetes!

[Author]

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