Preparing for Lift-off

[MarinaB]

Hi Everybody!

Some of you know I am taking my bunny on the plane with me for a six hour flight. I still have one month to go, but I am at a loss as to what to bring for Lucy.

My sherpa bag has a faux sheepskin pad, and I had been tyhinking of getting puppy pads for absorbency, but they are probably unsafe if chewed on? Any suggestions for bedding?

I’ve read that most airlines recommend not feeding the animal much before the flight, but surely this is not so for a rabbit? Do you think I would be allowed to bring hay on board and just throw it out before landing? I must be able to bring pellets and treats. Maybe lettuce?

I’m concerned about making her as comfy and her belly as happy as I can.

Thanks for any advice!

Keilwerth

[Beka27]

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-12/to-fly-or-not-to-fly.html

i’m not sure if you’ve read this article yet… it’s from HRS.  the latter part has some tips.  it says to start getting the bun used to the carrier by going on daily car trips, working up to an hour or longer.  of course this is easier said than done with the (outrageous) gas prices… but you’ve gotta do what you gotta do.  i would think that the puppy pee pads would work.  chances are your bun will be too stressed out to really do much chewing.  you never want to fast your rabbit.  fasting can mess up their digestive system and cause all kinds of problems.  i would feed her normally up until the flight and then provide her plenty of hay and water, i’m not sure if you should give her pellets and greens on flight also, i’ll leave this up to someone else to answer.

[JK]

Oooh good luck!  I think I would just give the bun hay and not worry about pellets or treats on the flight.  You must post here how it goes. Can’t wait to hear.

[Gravehearted]

oo hope you had safe travels!

[BinkyBunny]

I copied a section from the HRS article  that Beka gave you the link to: 

“In Flight…line the carrier with a bit of hay for snacking and paper towels for any urine. Traveling rabbits usually don’t want food and water spills in transit, so save those for when you land. Also be sure to pack some bunny chow in your carry-on in case your luggage gets lost. Bring a supply of pellets to mix with the local brand for a gradual transition.”

Hopefully that helps.

 

 

[MarinaB]

Thanks Everyone,

I just hope the time passes quickly so we can get going!

Lucy already gets lots of car rides because either my husband or I take her to work, so at least shes already getting mentally prepared!

I’ll let you know how it goes in one month!

Thanks, Keilwerth

[Gravehearted]

ha – i got confused and thought your flight was today 😕 sorry bout that!

[skunklionshow]

I just thought of something else….when I moved my cats across country, it was recommended that I bring a little mini H2O water supply to use as transition to the water in my new city.  I realize that w/ all the plane restrictions now this might be complicated.  But maybe you could ship or pack a liter of local water in your suitcase.  My understanding that it is b/c water can taste very different in varying locations & some pets are a little snobby or resistent to change.  Also, I know that water in transit for pets…it’s recommended to freeze the water so it slowly melts over time…like a little ice cube.

[Deleted User]

Does bunny get her own seat … LOL

Imagine a running around bunny on the plane …

Apart from my terrible sense of humour … I sincerely hope all goes well.  I know your anxious to get it done.

 

 

[Fiver]

A couple of things I did not see mentioned. Our rabbits hate to travel, our once a year to the vet is all they will probably have to face. There is really no need for us to take them on a plane so we will probably never have to do something like this. However, our nephew’s girlfriend has taken her rabbit on a plane several times. Apparently, her vet has no problem in giving her rabbit some sort of mild sedative for the trip. This rabbit is an extremely nervous type A personality. I am not sure how I feel about this, but if our vet (which we feel is excellent) said it was okay, we would probably go ahead and give our rabbit the prescribed sedative. Also, I seem to recall her saying that not all airlines let you keep the rabbit with you in the cabin, although some do.

[MarinaB]

No, Lucy doesn’t get her own seat…unless the plane is not full. Well, she gets her own seat on my lap!

Yeah, I don’t think she would need a sedative because she is a really easy going bun and actually chatters her teeth when I hold her in the car.

I plan on  taking an empty water bottle through security and then filling it up with water when I’m through. On this small island, all the water comes from the same place!

24 days til we are outtta here!

[Author]

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