tips for driving long distances?

[elevensies]

My boyfriend and I are moving from Austin to Seattle this summer and I wanted to know if anyone had any experience driving long distances with bunnies? I’ve done some research, but our situation is a little specific because we’re driving there with my parents in a fairly crowded car. We have two bunnies, Momo and Luna, and they are bonded and very comfortable with each other so I’m planning on keeping them in their cage together on the drive and letting them out in their exercise pen in hotel rooms along the way so that they can stretch out.

Other than that, do you have any tips/personal experience with driving long distances with buns? 

[Elrohwen]

I haven’t found it to be an issue at all. I put them in their carrier and we go – they hang out until we get there and then chill at the new place. I line the carrier with newspaper and paper towels in case they pee. I include a little hay (which they rarely eat) and if it’s a really long drive (6+ hours) some romaine in case they need fluids (though they have never eaten it).

Just try to set up their xpen in the hotel with stuff from home and they will probably be just fine.

Good luck on the move!

[Linette]

I’ve done it many times with no problems.

If your buns have tender tummies, bring a few bottles of the water from their old home for the trip. But I’ve moved without doing this and they’ve been fine as well, just a few times new water + long drive has given them runs.

For a long drive I think it’s better they ride in a cage or open wire carrier rather than a closed up plastic one, heat can build up in those if the distance is great. Sometimes they don’t drink while the car is moving so be sure to offer them water each time you stop. I always bring a large towel to throw over their cage/carrier if the Sun is shining onto them, they can overheat very quickly.

Make sure ahead of time that the hotels you stop at are pet friendly, There are some chains that are, but charge a $25 fee.

happy travels!

[DianaEvelyn08]

I drove my first rabbit (only had one then) from Florida to Kentucky and back, approximately an 11 hour trip one way. Here’s what I did that may help you.

 

I left for KY in the August afternoon heat, so I threw a wet towel over her cage until the sun went down in case the AC didn’t do enough to keep her cool.

 I put newspaper on the bottom, then bought one of those woven hay mats and threw it on top so she would have hay but sitll plenty of space to spread out.

I bought some of those window shades for babies, to minimize direct sunlight.

I stopped around every 3 or 4 hours to give her a chance to eat pellets/drink. She did fine on the way up, but on the way down she wouldn’t eat or drink anything. Again, this was an 11 hour trip, and I didn’t want her to get dehydrated. As an emergency effort, I bought baby carrots (I know-bad bunny mom), would dip them in water, then let her have a nibble, so she got some water in her.

 I found a useful information thing when I was doing my travel research. The file is too big to attach to this post, but PM me and I can send it to you if you want.

Also, this is how I found Asia the morning after we got back to Florida- she was definitely glad to be home!

[elevensies]

Thank you guys for the suggestions! I hadn’t even considered the water change or buying the baby shades.

[Deleted User]

My buns have traveled from Delaware to Georgia and South Carolina and back, and have done just fine, they were just really bored!

[Author]

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