Travelling cross country with a rabbit?

[Ciara]

Hello!

I have a holland lop named Juniper and I am planning to move back home to Florida in July from New Hampshire (about 1200 miles) and I was wondering if flying on an airplane (1-hour drive to the airport and around 3 hrs flight) with Juniper or driving there with him (19 hrs) would be less stressful for him? I want to make the move as little stressful for him as possible. The longest I have driven with him was about an hour and a half and he seemed okay but it’s hard to tell with rabbits, so I wanted to get a second opinion because I have never traveled this far with him before.

Thank you!

[Hazel]

Riding in a plane vs a car won’t make a difference to him, provided he flies in the cabin with you. I’d fly to keep the trip as short as possible.

[Ciara]

Thank you! I’ll keep that in mind.

[DanaNM]

I just drove from CA to MA with my bunnies (6 days of driving) and they handled it really well. My vet thought that driving was the better option because we would have more control over the situation (like being able to stop when needed, syringe feeding, etc.).

BUT we would have had at least 1 stop over flying, and we have four rabbits, so it was going to be rough to fly as well.

The thing that’s annoying with flying is that only a few airlines allow bunnies in the cabin. Planes are also very new to rabbits, and sometimes the pressure-changes can be stressful to them, whereas most bunnies have been in a car before so they are a bit more familiar with it.

In you case, if you drive, I would split it over two days. Or you could fly and get it over with pretty quickly. I think in either case it would be fine, so whichever works best for you.

. . . 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.  

[Ciara]

Where did you keep them while driving? In a carrier? And also, did you make a makeshift litter box for them or just kept hay in puppy pads in a carrier?

Thanks!

[Ert000]

I researched the subject of travel a lot. Should fly with you in the cabin on the plane. Do not give it to the luggage. May not adjust the pressure in the luggage. The safest is to be in the cabin with you. Use a soft-sided bag. Pet bag size is changing for airlines, be careful. You have to call and make a reservation for the rabbit before the flight. You should not give food and water 1-2 hours before the travel. It may feel sick on the way. But you can give vegetables to keep hydrated during breaks on long trips. Not all airlines accept rabbits. I give a link below to the list of airlines that accept rabbits.

Don’t be afraid of car travel. I drove 10 hours with my rabbit. It survived very well. But you have to take a break. You can give vegetables during breaks.

Have a nice trip..

http://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Rabbit-Friendly_Airlines

 

 

 

Love for animals is the escape of human from human..

[Ciara]

Thank you for your input!

[DanaNM]

I had them in carriers, 1 pair per carrier. I lined the bottom with their normal pine pellet litter, with a layer of hay on top. I also put small water bowls attached to the carrier door, with just a little water in them so it didn’t splash all over the place.

I would offer them favorite wet greens during a longer lunch break each day. I was prepared to syringe feed morning and evening if any bun wouldn’t eat (I did have to do this with one bun, but the others ate well, and i always managed to get them to eat a little during the breaks). I wrote about it in a bit more detail here: https://binkybunny.com/forums/topic/moving-tomorrow-ack/

I think since your trip is shorter there won’t be quite as many logistics!

. . . 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.  

[Ciara]

Awesome, thank you so much for your help!

[Hazel]

Just one thing I wanted to point out, do not withhold food or water before travelling. I know it’s recommended for cats and dogs in case they get queasy, but rabbits actually can’t vomit. They might be too stressed to eat much during travel so it’s important to keep them eating and drinking beforehand to make sure they don’t slip into stasis.

[DanaNM]

Good point Hazel! I gave my buns a big salad before getting on the road for the day.

. . . 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.  

[Ciara]

I’ll keep that in mind, thank you! Definitely don’t want my baby going in to stasis

[Jadeo09]

My rabbit hates car rides. One thing I have found to help is something for them to lean on to for when its bumpy or going around corners etc.

I put her favorite draught excluder in a u shape in her carry box and she is far more settled. She even sits down now. Whereas in the past she would stand up the whole journey.

 

I’m sure if you dont have a draught excluder you could improvise . Like rolling up a blanket or towel etc.

Making it smell like me or her also helps her

Good luck

Jade

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