Road Trip…am I missing anything?

[Tracibt]

Hi all

So I’m going to my cottage from Guelph to PEI for 2 weeks, about 17 hour drive with gas stops normally, I drive straight through. I have been reading a lot of great tips on other’s posts and just want to make sure I’ve thought of everything.

I’ve got a large dog carrier for my 2 dwarf Buns, who are 3 months old ( and adorable). I’m going to stop every few hours, more than usual and let them exercise in a pen, as theyre not fully used to harnesses yet. I’m going to have a litter box with hay in the carrier, as well as a small dish of pellets and a small mounted water bottle. When we stop I will offer them herbs (they love them as treats), as well as water in a dish. I will have fleece blankets and toys that they are used to and comfortable with. I’ve bought a sun shade for the car window where the carrier will be. I will run the a/c and be mindful of keeping the music low

Is there anything I am missing? I apologize for the wall of text, but I am a super nervous bunny mom and I want to make sure I’ve thought of everything to make it easier on my beautiful Buns.

Thanks so much in advance,
Traci

[kurottabun]

All of that sounds good But…

Have you traveled with both buns before and do you know if they are good travelers? Some buns are pretty relaxed, some are neutral, while others freak out bad the moment the car starts to move. It’s really important that neither buns belong to the third category as a car ride as long as that may trigger some gut issues, and you rrrreally don’t want that when you’re traveling. You could start taking them on 5-10 minute short trips around the neighbourhood so they somewhat get used to it before going on long trips.

Also, I know you didn’t ask this but I read your profile and noticed they aren’t spayed yet. Bunnies don’t recognise family units and their hormones may kick in anytime from 3-5 months (which is about your bunnies’ age), upon which they are likely to either fight or mate if kept together. It’s also difficult to sex bunnies at 3 months old – in some male bunnies the testicles only descend at 7-8 months so you may actually have a male x female pair. Whether they’re both the same sex or not though, it’s risky putting them together even at home, and having them with you while traveling may be worse. If they get into a brawl, it’ll be quite an upsetting experience for them (plus the fact that they are in an unfamiliar environment) and for you (having to deal with hormonal buns while traveling).

Depending on when you are going, you may want to separate them now until you are able to get both fixed and bonded. I know they may seem all lovey dovey to each other but female buns are extremely territorial so there’s a high chance they will either fight once hormones kick in (and you won’t know when exactly that will come, but 3 months is about time) or mate (unwanted litter of babies). Once a fight has occurred, the probability of a successful bond later on will decrease because bunnies will hold grudges. There’s a BONDING section on this forum that’s very helpful for people with multiple buns

It may be a better idea to leave them behind, separated, and get someone to come over and take care of them, for the reasons mentioned above. You could always leave an extensive list of what the person should do and look out for.

[Sirius&Luna]

While it sounds like you’re prepared, 35 hours of driving sounds like a lot for just a two week trip. If you were moving home or something it would make sense, but for just two weeks it sounds quite high risk. Is there not someone that could look after them while you’re gone?

One of my bunnies gets extremely stressed in the car, so I try to only transport her if it’s absolutely essential.

If you do take them, make sure you look into a bunny savvy vet at your destination, in case they get stasis or any other problems while you’re away.

[lemonandsasha]

I would bring some pee pads just incase. They are great to line your car with and good for travel, plus easy clean up for the litter box. You seem pretty prepared, but as Kurottabun mentioned, I think you should try driving around for 10 min or so just make observe their behavior and make sure they are taking it well. If they seem over stressed, I wouldn’t put them through 17 hrs of driving, even with frequent breaks.

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