Traveling Safely With Rabbits

When traveling is in your plans, whether it be a trip to the vet clinic, a vacation, or a move, plans will need to be made for your rabbit. Rabbits have different personalities and each will react in varying degrees to stress. But you should keep in mind that most rabbits are stressed by changes–unfamiliar surroundings, changes in routine, changes in type of food/water, and changes in temperature. Rabbits show stress in different ways, as well, such as by becoming withdrawn or aggressive, or refusing to eat. By planning carefully, you can minimize these stresses for your rabbit. Before starting any journey, be sure your rabbit is fully vaccinate for RHDV and/or myxomatosis depending on location.

If you are planning a short trip, weekend away, extended vacation, or a permanent move, you have travel options.

Traveling By Car

Car travel, for various lengths of time, is possible with rabbits. Here at House Rabbit Society, we have known several rabbits to make day trips, trips up and down the California coast, and trips from the East Coast to the West Coast. Setup and planning is key to limiting stress for both you and your rabbit.

Car Setup

Your car setup should include a large, hard top carrier that 2 to 3 times bigger than your rabbit that is seat belted into place to prevent toppling. For most rabbits, a 24.05" L X 16.76" W X 14.5" carrier should be enough size to be comfortable. Line the carrier with a blanket topped with 2 to 3 disposable pee pads. This will allow for you to remove and dispose of the wet layers at rest stops along your trip, preventing your rabbit from sitting in the urine for too long. Also include access to water, pellets, a handful of hay or a hay cube, and a bundle of your rabbits favorite leafy greens saturated in water. Saturating the green will help increase your rabbits water intake, keeping them hydrated during the trip. Lastly, include a few of your rabbits favorite toys, ideally a plush to snuggly with for support and a few chewy toys to curb boredom.

Depending on the length of travel, plan on taking 1 to 3 rest breaks to give your rabbit some fresh air, time to decompress, and time to not be in motion. Along the way, be sure to regulate your cars internal temperature, being sure the cabin is no hotter than 75 degrees F or lower than 50 degrees F.

Overnight Setup

Ideally, your rabbit should have time outside of the carrier during travel to stretch and decompress. The bet time for this is after checking into pet friendly hotel or motel. There are many portable pop-up play pens on the market that can be set up in your hotel room and have a additional topper to prevent your rabbit from jumping out. Bringing an additional small dust pan and hand held broom allows for quick clean up of droppings either within the pop-up pen or within the hotel room if allowing for monitored free roam.

Within the folding pen, include a blanket, a disposable litter box (or cardboard box) lined with disposable puppy pads and a small portion of hay, your rabbits favorite toys, a water dish and food. When checking out of the hotel, simply toss the disposable litter box and soiled puppy pads.

Considerations

Some states may require proof of RHDV vaccination to enter with rabbit. Be sure to research the state(s) you will be traveling through and have the necessary paperwork before leaving. Some states require a signed veterinary certificate. When traveling through the United States, consult and reference the US Animal Plant and Health Safety Inspection Service’s - a branch of the USDA - website for requirements.

Traveling By Plane

Plane travel will be heavily dependent upon availability of airline. Always research an airlines carry on pet policy before booking your flight as well as consult the US Animal Plant and Health Safety Inspection Service for additional state and international requirements for rabbit travel. Never allow your rabbit to travel via cargo. Book flights that allow for your rabbit to travel in the cabin with you. Some airlines may require one rabbit per passenger to travel in the cabin. As of 2025, Alaska Airlines seems to the most pet friendly airline.

Carry On Set Up

Your carrier size will be dictated by the specific airlines requirements. This ensures that the carrier is the right size to fit UNDER your seat in the cabin. Double check the airlines size requirement and purchase a carrier labeled “airline compliant” or “airline friendly.” These carriers are typically soft carriers so be aware that your rabbit may be enticed to chew the mesh of the carrier.

In your carrier pockets, include a small packet of critical care, a small bag of your rabbits favorite treats, a small empty dish for water, a empty emergency syringes, a hay cube, and a small bag of your rabbits favorite vegetables. Be aware that airline security may confiscate any liquid medications, such as meloxicam. Keep medications in your checked bag just in case. Once passed security, water can be placed in the water dish from a water fountain or purchased bottle of water and the vegetables can in given. Saturate the vegetables with water to help keep your rabbit hydrated.

Once on the plane, check in with your rabbit. Open the carrier and give soothing pets to destress and offer their favorite treat.

General Travel Checklist

  • Because there can be unexpected delays, take twice as much of all consumables as you anticipate will needed.

    • Sufficient loose hay for the entire trip

    • Pellets

    • Bottles of water

    • Fresh vegetables, especially leafy greens that can be served wet, which assist the rabbit in getting sufficient hydration during travel

    • Water bowl and food bowl

    • A portable litterbox

    • Bedding for the litterbox

    • Any medications

    • Chew toys, etc.

    • Garbage bags

    • Vinegar (for cleaning) or enzyme cleaner such as Nature’s Miracle

    • Hand broom/dustpan

    • Newspapers

    • Paper towels

    • Ice packs or frozen water bottles for the rabbit to lie near

    • Towels to soak in cool water for heat stress (Note: do not let a rabbit who’s been stroked with water lie near a frozen item; the frozen item will stick to the rabbit!)

    • Infant rehydration solution such as Pedialyte (important because rabbits often become dehydrated while traveling)

    • Health certificate and information about procedures at customs (if needed for foreign travel)

Handy Docs to Download When You or Your Rabbit Travel

You can fill out and print this form in case you yourself are in an emergency situation while you’re out and about. Put it in your wallet to alert rescuers about your pets at home.

Use this document to provide instructions in case you are in an accident or when you are traveling with your rabbit and get in an accident. It can also be used to provide information for bunny sitters.

Looking for boarding or petsitting instead? Check with your nearest HRS Chapter, rabbit rescue, or rover.com to find a boarding or pet sitting service near you. Interested in having a friend or family member watch your rabbit instead? Have them take our online Rabbit Care 101 class to get up to stead on rabbit care, health and wellness.