The Travelling Bunny!

[bunnnnnnie!]

So there seems to be more and more threads about people asking about traveling with their bunbuns.  I’m sure now that it’s summer, the season of vacations and such, that more and more folks are going to consider taking their bunnies on trips with them.  I thought it’d be really nice to have a comprehensive thread on traveling with a bunny, tips and tricks, what to consider, etc. .

Zeus is a pretty “well traveled” bun, between coming with me to petsitting gigs, going to visit my parents, and moving from one apartment to another.  So I pretty much have traveling with him down to a science. .  Some things to consider BEFORE road tripping with your bun:

– Is the destination bunny-friendly? – Will it be safe for your bunny, away from predators, and other pets (cats/dogs)?  Is it climate controlled, will your bunny be able to keep cool and comfortable?  Will there be enough space for whatever habitat you bring?  Will out of cage time be possible?

– Is your bunny the “traveler” type? – Zeus is a very laid back bun, who pretty much can make himself at home anywhere.  But a lot of buns aren’t like this.  If your bun doesn’t handle change well, is very easily frightened, or just the nervous type, is traveling really in the best interest of the bunny?

– How will the bunbun travel? – Do you have a carrier, or a crate?  Is it comfortable for your bun, and are they used to it?  I keep Zeus’s carrier out 24/7 with the door open in my apartment, so when he actually has to go into it, it’s not some new strange place.  I also bed his carrier with CareFresh, so if he potties on the trip, it is absorbed.  Also he usually makes a nest with the bedding, and I feel it lets him feel more secure and safer in the carrier. .  Also providing hay and even greens in the carrier is a good idea, if the bun gets comfortable enough to snack.  Zeus always does!

– What will you need to bring? – I try and bring as much as I can with, as I feel the more familiar stuff Zeus has surrounding him, the more comfortable he’ll be.  I bring his water dish, his hay and pellets, a few of his favorite toys, his litterbox, his favorite treats, and litter.  That way whenever he gets to his destination to settle in, all his familiar stuff, with familiar scents, will be there for him.

There’s also some stuff you need to address once the bunbun and you have arrived at your destination!  I find just leaving Zeus to explore his new space in peace is best, I usually hang around in the room but don’t get into his enclosure or interrupt.  He knows I’m there, but I’m not pestering him or rushing him into getting acclimated.

I also try and offer greens and a few of his favorite treat once he arrives, to get the gut moving again as soon as possible, if they didn’t eat in the carrier.  He’ll eat the treats right away usually, and the greens usually within the first hour or so.

After I see he is relaxed and settled, and his happily hanging out in his litterbox nibbing some hay or flopped across the floor, I usually leave him alone for awhile in peace, and make sure he doesn’t get disturbed.  He often falls asleep shortly after arrival, I’m sure traveling is tiring and I like to let him doze uninterrupted. .

After that, I just keep on eye on his drinking, eating, poops and pee, to make sure he is settling in fine and relaxed and happy for the duration of the trip!  I usually try and spend a bit of extra time with him too, as he is often even a bit more social on trips, since I’m a “familiar face” in a strange environment, I suppose. 

That’s just a few tips I have, from my experiences road tripping with the Zeusasaurus!  Add your tips, or insights, to traveling with you bun! 

[BinkyBunny]

 Great post and perfect timing!!! Thanks for taking the time to really offer some good tips and important things for people to consider.

I know there are others that can offer tips too.  I haven’t had to travel with my bunnies yet, so all I can offer is just more info from the House Rabbit Society about traveling with your bunny. http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/travel.html

[Kate Monster]

Make sure to make extended stops if it’s a longer trip. Mine will only drink water and eat once the car is stopped.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I can’t say it better then BB-great post and great timing!!

GREAT tips I love that you put the part about your bunnies personality-that would play a huge role on how well they do!

I’d add bringing something to cover windows so the bunny is not in the sun in the car=like pillow cases/sheets duct taped over the window (note: not the drivers windsheild and make sure you can still see! )

And you can bring baby food or CC if it’s a longer trip to give them something for their tummy. I recommend getting your bunny used to eating this stuff out of a syringe before travelling. Actually right now-because not just for travelling, but at some point you may have to feed this way for illness. If you can teach them that yummy stuff comes out of a syringe-it’s easier to force feed or give meds ANYTIME

[mocha200]

I would bring a thin blanket or sheet to put over their kennel or carrier so that they don’t feel any drafts.

[armynurse]

Oliver and meg are well traveled. They’ve flown from FL to Washington and back and forth 3 times already. I take them camping with us on mem day and labor days. THey LOVE it. they get locked in their travel cage in the car, unless we’re stuck in traffic, then I open it up and let oliver stand up in the passenger seat to look out the window Meg just sleeps the whole way haha

[mia]

How do you deal with the hotel and meals situation? You are not supposed to leave them unattended in the hotels but most restaurants are not bunny friendly. Also, what if you have to visit a destination that pets are not allowed at?

For those that stop along the way, how do you let the buns out since they are not supposed to be leashed? Do you bring the x-pen and set it up each time?

[MayaConsuelo]

I’m about to do this next weekend, thanks for the post! I don’t think I’m going to let Bun-Bun out when we stop – the carrier is a cat carrier so he can move around, but not jump. I’ll just stop every couple hours to make sure he eats something (he also won’t eat when the car is moving.) I’m going to make sandwiches so we can eat while driving, no way to stop and eat at a restaurant with animals in the car!

For the hotel I have the original too-small pet store cage I got when I took him in. Yeah, it’s too small, but fine for a night or two. Can’t let him run free in a hotel room, he’ll be like a typical rock star and trash the place

[longhairmike]

i just put together a 3x2x2 NIC cage for our XC trip next month… going to try to knock out as many miles as possible the first day,,
Chicago to either Oklahoma city (800 miles),, Amarillo (1050), or if i get some supercrack, maybe even Albuquerque (1,340)
day 2 will probably take us to flagstaff where it will still be cool at night,, then just drive down to Mesa on day 3

my longest road trip prior to this was only about 275 miles each way to southern IN. i really really really wish Shana had a drivers license…

[NaluNut]

What about traveling to the beach? Has anyone done so before?

[sunshinesocks]

What I’ve learnt is there’s a difference for the boys between the journey and being stuck somewhere. So they’ll eat in a moving car, enjoy being in a trolley in a supermarket, love being the centre of attention. You try to make them sleep somewhere they think is too small for them and all hell breaks loose. So I guess for everyone I suggest trying a one or two night trip before anything extended in order to learn what works for you.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Hey guys. We ask that members not respond to old posts as it causes confusion. This one is from 2011. Feel free to start a new pots on this subject. I’m going to lock this thread now.

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