Suggestions for making travel easier?

[joea64]

I’m heading off to North Carolina for the Thanksgiving holiday on Wednesday, and this time, Panda and Fernando are coming along with me. I already have some suggestions in hand for making the trip as comfortable as possible for them, such as giving them a good helping of wetted-down greens in the morning before loading them up in their carrier (I plan to take some more wet salad in a cooler to give them along the way), as well as taking as many items as possible that are familiar to them to reduce stress. I’m planning to pack their X-pen, sisal play rug, at least one hidey box, food and water dishes, the emergency first-aid kit I got from House Rabbit Resource Network last month, supplies of hay and pellets (my mother will be getting greens), treats, and things such as willow sticks and plain cardboard for chewing. I already have a quilt in the car to cushion their carrier, and have learned how to secure it properly; also, I’m putting the carrier in the X-pen every evening until Wednesday, fitted out with hay and litter, to help them get used to it. What else should I do?

[Wick & Fable]

Any fabrics or items with their scent would be helpful. This Thanksgiving is Wick’s first long car ride and stay over somewhere, so I’m bringing some of his mats and mini rugs.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[joea64]

Posted By Wick on 11/20/2017 6:48 AM

Any fabrics or items with their scent would be helpful. This Thanksgiving is Wick’s first long car ride and stay over somewhere, so I’m bringing some of his mats and mini rugs.

Exactly, which is why I’m bringing their sisal play rug. They’ve been romping on it every day for three months now, and of late have been running and hopping upon it for up to 12 hours per day, so I’m pretty sure it’s imbued with their scents by now. I also noticed that Fernando seemed to be marking/chinning the carrier door last evening, which will help. Actually, now that I think of it, I probably should get each of them a couple of mats or small rugs for Christmas…

[Sirius&Luna]

What about getting them used to music/radio and playing that – it could help cover up any honking etc that will occur while driving.

[joea64]

Posted By Sirius&Luna on 11/20/2017 8:27 AM

What about getting them used to music/radio and playing that – it could help cover up any honking etc that will occur while driving.

I don’t have a lot of time to do that for this trip (leaving Wednesday morning), and being hearing-impaired, I generally don’t bother to turn the sound on TV anyway. Maybe for next time, though.

P.S. I should bring along the Hair Buster comb and Love Glove, too.

[Sirius&Luna]

Ah, I missed the on Wednesday bit! It sounds like you’re pretty prepared. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

[joea64]

As a general travel note, I think I’ll have to stop somewhere at lunch where I can grab something that can be more or less easily eaten in the car so that I can stay with the bunnies (and offer them some more wetted-down greens at the same time), since I am not sure which restaurants allow carrier-contained pets. Actually, I think I’ll put the question to you folks; which restaurants/restaurant chains will allow customers to bring in pets that are kept in their carriers? I’m going to be traveling up and down Interstate 95 in Virginia and North Carolina tomorrow and on Saturday.

On reviewing the list of things I’m packing for Panda and Fernando, it appears I’m actually taking almost everything except their condo itself, so hopefully they’ll be comfy!  As far as housing arrangements go, the buns will probably be staying in the bedroom I’ll be using. This seems to me to be the best arrangement since that room has enough space to set up the X-pen and rug, and since P&F are used to sleeping in the same room with me. It’s away from the main in-house traffic routes but they’re used to being by themselves (with each other) during the daytime anyway, and the door will stay open during “business” hours so they can have visitors.

Finally, and much to my relief, I checked the Triangle (as in North Carolina “Research Triangle”) Rabbits website and ascertained that there are several vets in southeastern North Carolina that provide care for rabbits, including one in the town closest to where my parents live. I don’t know how good they are, but at least they’re there.

[joea64]

Arrived safely a couple of hours ago (we left before dawn), and Panda and Fernando are in the X-pen in the bedroom assigned to me, eating hay, drinking water, dropping poops, chewing cardboard and willow sticks and generally lounging around. It took some coaxing to get Panda into the carrier, when I finally had to take her firmly in hand and put her in; she was pretty miffed about the whole business to the extent that she refused a treat when I offered it to her on stopping for lunch (however, she’s in a better mood now and accepted treats when offered again). Fernando took the whole thing like a champ, but then he’s always been the steadier and more laid-back of the pair.

[Fluffykins]

Congratulations! Sounds like they’re settling in nicely.

Enjoy your break

[joea64]

They’re in their daytime rest period now. Panda is in her hidey box as usual this time of day; Fernando is lounging in the open, again as per usual. They’ve been on their best behavior – Fernando hasn’t attempted to jump out of the X-pen as happened several times last week before I started draping a bedsheet over the enclosure.

[joea64]

Home again safe and sound, and the buns are relaxing in the familiar scenes of their condo. Panda is bunloafed on the lower deck and Fernando is nibbling hay in the litterbox.

[ThorBunny]

Glad they made it back safe, what brave buns

[joea64]

Posted By ThorBunny on 11/26/2017 7:50 PM

Glad they made it back safe, what brave buns

By bun standards, Fernando is positively fearless. He decided to get frisky again last evening and did another athletic 3-foot jump to the top of the condo from the floor, so up went the bedsheet “ceiling” again.

[Author]

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