Moving Cross Country with Buns!

[Epitome]

At the end of the month (May), I am moving out of state and driving for about 7 hours. Of course, the rabbits are coming with. It goes without saying that rabbits don’t always travel so well, especially if they do not do so often. Louise and Scooter are stay-at-home buns. I want the trip to be as stress-free as it possibly can be for the pair of them. 

I have two carriers available. I’ve a smaller one, big enough for a small cat, and one a size bigger, big enough for a small dog. I don’t know if it would be better to separate the two into different carriers. Sometimes Scooter gets a little too amorous for Louise’s liking, and she needs a break. Or would they stay calmer together?

And then there is the move itself, a whole new place. I’ve never moved with my rabbits before. Are their any pointers to help smooth this process over? Frankly, I’m worried the move will mess with their litter box habits, and I don’t want accidents all over the floor. X.X’

[Noodles]

Posted By Epitome on 5/20/2018 9:40 PM

At the end of the month (May), I am moving out of state and driving for about 7 hours. Of course, the rabbits are coming with. It goes without saying that rabbits don’t always travel so well, especially if they do not do so often. Louise and Scooter are stay-at-home buns. I want the trip to be as stress-free as it possibly can be for the pair of them. 

I have two carriers available. I’ve a smaller one, big enough for a small cat, and one a size bigger, big enough for a small dog. I don’t know if it would be better to separate the two into different carriers. Sometimes Scooter gets a little too amorous for Louise’s liking, and she needs a break. Or would they stay calmer together?

And then there is the move itself, a whole new place. I’ve never moved with my rabbits before. Are their any pointers to help smooth this process over? Frankly, I’m worried the move will mess with their litter box habits, and I don’t want accidents all over the floor. X.X’

They are bonded, correct? Then I think it would be better to keep them together in one carrier, I know that bonded pairs do well together when traveling because they can kind of comfort each other during such a stressful situation. I myself do not have experience with bonded bunnies however so perhaps someone else can give more input on this!

As for the move itself, I would not stress that much over it. Bunnies are quite surprising creatures. My Cinnabun is the most skittish and stressed out rabbit I know, (can not be picked up, afraid of everything, etc.) she’s 7 years old and was abused in her earlier years before I rescued her about a year ago. I’m currently in college and I’m an RA in the dorms, but I’m constantly moving back and forth between my parents’ home during breaks, my dorm, and wherever I live during the summer. She is tremendous with adjusting to new places from what I’ve experienced, it’s really just the travel part that she freaks out over! I would keep their space small in the new place to begin with and then slowly expand (assuming your rabbits are free roam). Cinnabun’s litter box habits stayed exactly the same whenever I moved her to a different place for the first time, she is still pretty well behaved (besides a few poops here and there). Especially because I used the same litter box and this was a very familiar scent to her. Don’t worry about it too much and good luck!

[Azerane]

Assuming they’re bonded I would move them in the same carrier. It will be comforting for them. I’m assuming you’ll be stopping halfway to eat etc but make sure the buns get some food and water during the stop. None of my buns have ever eaten on car rides so allowing them time with the car turned off to relax a bit is beneficial. Taking some wet leafy greens is a good idea because if they don’t want to drink eating the greens will help keep them hydrated. Also make sure you have a shade on the window to protect the carrier from the sun.

[Epitome]

Thank you, everyone, for the advice. It’s very helpful. The big move is just a a measly two days away, and I am so excited. Scooter and Louise will have more space to run! Good call on the greens, @Azerane. I’ll be sure to get some greens with thick, juicy stems. I’ll have a water bottle for the carrier, but I have my doubts about them actually using it. Poor bunnies are not used to car rides, and they certainly have never gone any farther than the vet’s office 3 miles away.

[Author]

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