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!