Vacations & Travel

If you are going on an extended vacation with lots of sightseeing, you would probably do well to leave your rabbit at home. If you are going on vacation where you will be based at friends’ or relatives’ homes, you may be able to take your rabbit. However, you should make sure that your plans agree with your hosts and that there are no allergies to rabbits or their hay. (Many people are intensely allergic to timothy). Of course, if you are moving, you will need to plan on how to move with your rabbit. also. People can–and should–bring their rabbits along when the family makes a move, whether it is down the street or a long distance. Rabbits are adaptable to new experiences. After all, when you adopted your rabbit, it was to provide a forever home. And your rabbit is an important part of your family, too. It just takes planning ahead.

If your rabbit is not used to car rides (except to the vet), start regular car rides as early as possible before your actual trip. Start with short (30 minute) weekly or twice weekly rides in a pet carrier. Try to have some longer rides (one-three hours.) before the trip. Remember! Don’t leave your rabbit in a warm car at the store.

If you are moving long-distance and are also moving several animals, you might consider renting a panel van with no partition between the driver and cargo. This allows air conditioning and heat to better circulate. Place the carriers or traveling cages on top of carpet remnants or pads to minimize vibration, and secure the containers to the wall of the van.

It’s usually not a good idea to travel with your rabbit unconfined. A loose rabbit may climb under the seat, where it may be hot, or under the driver’s feet. If there is a car accident, a loose rabbit could be severely injured from being flung quite a distance into a solid surface. With a carrier–which should be secured to the seat for the same reason a rabbit should not be loose in the car–your rabbit will have protective walls and a solid roof. End-opening doors can make it difficult to lift the rabbit out, but they do make it easier for the rabbit to enter and exit on their own. Some carriers have a door on top. On the other hand, for extended car travel (more than a day, perhaps), a small traveling cage with a solid floor can provide more space for your rabbit to move and stretch. The collapsable variety for puppies can be convenient when traveling, for set-up in the car or at your destination,

The carrier should be tall enough to allow the rabbit to sit up. A large carrier or traveling cage may accommodate a small litter pan. If there is not space for the litterbox, then line the enclosure with a towel (changed often) or disposable puppy pads. Provide fresh hay and perhaps leafy greens (especially good for the moisture they provide) in the enclosure at all times. Offer water and small amounts of food during stops. Note that water bottles are notorious for leaking during travel in a carrier or cage.

Staying in Hotels/Motels

• Look for ones that accept pets.
• Ask for a room on the ground floor of motels in the back if you are not sure of pet policy.
• Keep the rabbit in their carrier or traveling cage except for exercise in the bathroom.
• Hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door at all times.
• It may be risky leaving the rabbit in the motel while sightseeing due to staff reaction and stress of being alone in an unfamiliar place.

Staying in Other Peoples’ Homes

• Explain your rabbit’s living conditions before you visit. Will they mind an indoor rabbit? Will there be space for exercising?
• Ask if they have allergies to animals or grass hay. People who are allergic to cats may or may not be allergic to rabbits. Even if they are not allergic to animals, your host might be allergic to timothy hay.
• Be diligent about cleaning up after your rabbit.

Traveling by Car 

Rabbits cannot tolerate warm weather or heat.

• If the ambient temperature is above 75 degrees, place wet towels over the carrier or travel cage and provide access to a breeze.

• If you have no air conditioning or the weather is warm, set a frozen water bottle or container with ice where your rabbit can lie near or against it.
• If it is really warm, you can wet your rabbit’s ears.  Again, do not let a damp rabbit lie near a frozen bottle.
• Do not leave your rabbit in a parked car. You may need to get food-to-go, take food along and stop in shaded rest areas, or wait until early morning and late evening to stop to eat.

Rabbits do not like drafts

• Carriers should not be placed where AC/Heat blows directly on them.

Water bottles often leak out all their water

• Rabbits tend to not drink much while traveling.
• However water should be offered at all stops.
• Add infant rehydration solution such as Pedialyte to combat dehydration. Be sure the rabbit will drink it before the trip. (They come in several flavors).
• You can also offer wet leafy vegetables to supplement hydration.

Rabbits may also not eat while traveling.

• Offer favorite vegetables, pellets, and hay at all stops. Remember that the fresh produce can be wet.
• Provide fresh hay in the carrier while traveling.
• Offer food on rest breaks.

Create routines where you can

• Try to establish consistent routines each day,

• length of time in the car
• stopping times
• feeding and exercise times

Strap the carrier in place in the car,  so that it does not slide in sudden stops

Traveling by Air

“Imagine being a small animal inside a roaring, quivering airplane for several hours. Your ears may pop, probably for the first time in your life. The air on the floor where your box sits is hot and stuffy, or maybe quite cold. When finally let out, you’re in a totally unfamiliar place. Ask yourself, is this an experience your rabbit really needs?”  (B. Woolbright, House Rabbit Journal, Vol.2, #12).

• The answer may be yes if this is the only way to get your rabbit to your new home or if you have an outgoing, calm rabbit who doesn’t mind new experiences.
• Information on which airlines currently accept rabbits in the cabin is available at this link.
• The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has information on air travel and pets at www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel.

Additional Factors to Consider

• Rabbits who are nervous, fear the vacuum cleaner, tremble in the car, or who are older or have health problems will most likely find a plane trip too stressful.
• Rabbits who are calm and not bothered by car rides and new places will cope better but may still find planes weird and scary.
• A one-to-two hour plane trip may be better than a 10-hour car ride. However, four days in a car may be less stressful than an all-day trip with multiple take-offs and landing, changing planes, or traveling to and from airports.

If you choose to fly with your rabbit, you will need to make these preparations

• Make a reservation well in advance.

• There will be a fee for your rabbit to fly,  regardless of whether your rabbit is in cargo or under your seat.

• Shop around for an airline that will allow you to bring your rabbit into the cabin.

• Some allow pets in the cabin, but not rabbits.
• Most allow only one animal in the cabin per flight.

• Contact the airline to find out what type of carrier you will need.

• Under-the-seat carriers cannot be any larger than 8″ x 17″ x 12, which is too small for most large rabbits.
• The type with a top-opening door allows you better access to your rabbit.
• Line the carrier with paper towels, puppy pads, or newspapers and hay. Do not take your rabbit out of the carrier in-flight. If multiple rabbits over time escape their carriers and runs= free through the cabin, the airline may ban rabbits from the cabin in the future.
• Bring fresh vegetables, pellets, hay, treats, and bottles of water in your carry-on bag to offer on layovers.

• Don’t forget medical supplies and other supplies listed above.
• Prepare for emergencies (see above).
• Check with the airline on their requirements for a health certificate.

• You may need  to visit an unfamiliar veterinarian before your return flight home.

• Acustom your rabbit to travel ahead of the trip

• Take them in their carrier on car rides regularly at least one month prior to the plane trip.
• Work up to car rides of an hour or more, if possible.

Cargo Realities

Not all airlines will allow you to have your rabbit with you in the cabin or you may find airlines that allow rabbits in the cabin too expensive. Many airlines will only allow them to be in the cargo. If so, be sure your rabbit and the airline is prepared for it. Airlines also seem to regularly change their policies with regard to rabbits.

• Carriers are loaded from baggage carts while engines are idling. People wear earmuffs; rabbits don’t.
• Cargo is pressurized and has limited temperature control, but these are not activated on the ground.
• Animals cannot be boarded if ground temperature on the tarmac at departure or destination is too hot or cold, so the possibility exists that your rabbit might not get on the same flight as you.
• Adjusting your travel time to earlier or later in the day according to the temperatures may help.
• Try to get your rabbit hand-delivered to you and to the plane rather than letting them be put on a conveyor belt or baggage cart.
• A generous tip to a sky-cap may get your rabbit hand-delivered.

Remember that the key to traveling with your rabbit or or what to do if your bunny needs to stay home, is to plan ahead and be prepared.

If you decide your house rabbit needs to stay behind on your trip, House Rabbit Society can help. In addition to rescuing rabbits who have been abandoned, House Rabbit Society provides boarding services for families who may need a safe, stimulating place for their rabbits stay while you’re away from home. Contact your local chapter to learn more.