Pet Carrier?

[bigmak5]

I am looking to buy a pet carrier to bring my rabbit in to the city to visit a rabbit savvy vet. what size carrier would be good for a mini lop rabbit who weighs 6.7lbs?

is this one good?(size small)

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Petmate-Pet-Taxi-Travel-Kennel-X-Small-1ct/16785059

[LittlePuffyTail]

It`s hard to say since I can`t really see how big it is compared to an animal. Not sure if it`s the same brand but I bought a similar, small size at Wal-mart which is what I use for vet visits with my 5lb lop. You want it to be big enough for them to turn around comfortably.

[RabbitPam]

Looks OK to me. I would probably get a large for a bunny weighing what yours does, but LPT’s criteria, ie. turn around ability, is a good way to decide. Make sure you can carry it fairly comfortably with one or two hands by the handle, or with a shoulder strap (some come with them.) If you’re walking in the city they are all a bit ackward, but hard is better than soft sided for bunnies.

[RabbitPam]

You might consider something like this, which opens at the top as well as the front. Makes it much easier to put in and take out bunny. I have a top opening one (not this one) and what a difference when they don’t want to get in.

They’re not cheap, but remember, your bunny will outgrow a small one, and the right size and type will last for the length of bunny’s life (10+ years) so a $50 one for example is costing you $5 a year.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6067+11281+24657&pcatid=24657

[tobyluv]

I agree with RabbitPam about the top opening carriers. They are so much easier and less stressful to use. Besides the carrier that Drs. Foster & Smith sells, you can find other top opening ones or dual openings ones on various websites or in pet supply stores.

[LittlePuffyTail]

To get Bindi out of his carrier (he sticks his back legs out really wide to avoid being pulled out) I have to unsnap all the snaps and take the top off.

[tanlover14]

LPT — I just laughed so hard thinking about that scenario – but I agree with everyone. We only have ones where you can snap the top off and one other one where the top and sides open.

[FooFoosMommy2]

The carrier we have for Foo is actually a small dog carrier, its made for animals up to 10 pounds. It has a fleece bed on the bottom and looks more like a gym bag than a pet carrier. Also, as a plus, its one thats been approved as a carry on for planes. It was about $40 at Petsmart. She loves it- she’ll play in it during out time if we leave it on the floor.

[LBJ10]

I was looking to get a smaller carrier actually. We gave away our cat carrier and all we have is a larger dog carrier. It isn’t huge, but it is bulky. When you’re looking for a carrier, you need to make sure there is enough room for your bunny to move around. You don’t want it so big that you are struggling to get it in the door at the vet’s office either. I think staying on the smaller side is better anyway since it seems mine feel more secure when they are in a smaller space.

[bigmak5]

wow allot of responses, thanks everyone.

btw their is going to be a lighting deal on amazon for cyber monday at 5.59 AM PST for a Petmate pet carrier which has 2 doors (i think these are the dimensions 24.05 X 16.76 X 14.5) so if anybody is looking for a carrier this might be a good deal only time will tell though.

[RabbitPam]

LOL I was just going to urge you to shop online today for this since it’s cyber Monday.
You’re way ahead of us.

[bigmak5]

i just checked the lightning deal its not as good of a deal as i thought it was gonna be.I guess i will go to Walmart to size up the other one and see if its the right size and maybe see if their are other ones there as well.

[Sam&Rex]

I suggest considering a carrier that can be held in place while in a vehicle. Rex’s carrier buckles in so it doesn’t wiggle or slide when he moves or when we take a sharp corner. Also keeping the carrier strapped in is safer in a roll over accident, for both you and your bunny.

When I got Rex’s carrier my vet suggested that a cat or rabbit carrier should be long enough for the pet to lay down comfortably, but only wide enough to allow them to turn around easily. That discourages them from laying sideways in the carrier. The idea is if you are rear-ended or get into a head on crash (which are most common in my area) then the animal is thrown sideways instead of headfirst, which can cause neck or back injuries.

[LoveChaCha]

I have this one. I actually upgraded carriers because my rabbit had to crouch down in her old one. If it helps, she is only 4 pounds, but the carrier is awesome for room and comfort.

http://www.amazon.com/Petmate-Kennel-Fashion-Carrier-Pounds/dp/B00063KG5U/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1353958203&sr=8-4&keywords=petmate+carrier

[Elrohwen]

Generally a small is fine for one medium sized rabbit. I have a small carrier which fits either of mine separately (4lbs and 5.5lbs) and a medium one which fits them both (though they cram themselves into one end, so they really only take up 1/3 of it).

Definitely get one with a top opening door though. The top opening door is the primary way I get one of my rabbits in (the other will go in on her own) and the way the vets prefer to get them out.

[bigmak5]

Ok so i went to walmart but they did not have the size i was looking for.their was half of one there and i assumed it was the size i was looking for and it looked like a good size, so i ordered it online.only when it came and i put it together it was to small.now here is my question i am gonna return it but should i disinfect it first because i put my rabbit in to test size? (My rabbit is battling infections)

[Roberta]

A good wipe out with some white vinegar and and rinse out would be a good idea. Just tell the after you have returned it that you gave it a wipe out.

[AnnaNutBread]

I bought mine from Target for around $15, but it doesn’t have a door on the top. But my bun just hops in and out from the front.

[bigmak5]

vinegar is a disinfectant? i use a iodine disinfectant (vanodine replacement) product. i mean its a quick spray but i don’t know if Walmart would want me to do it.

[Roberta]

Vinegar is what most of us use to clean our bunny areas and accessories. Non toxic, no residue and won’t disclolour anything as long as its rinsed off properly.

[Monkeybun]

vinegar is also super cheap, so it’s great as a cleaner

[bigmak5]

the one i ordered was to small should i get the medium or the next size bigger?

[tanlover14]

I would suggest the medium. I have three 4.5 lb buns and I can fit them all into a medium one.

[AnnaNutBread]

What do you all line the inside of your carrier with to make it comfortable?

[tanlover14]

I just throw a towel on the bottom which two of them usually spend the whole time digging into. Hahaha. Keeps them busy though!

[AnnaNutBread]

I was using towels too, but my bun made an accident on it last time I brought him to the vet. I’ll give it another try though, we’re meeting a friend we met online through the House Rabbit Society, she’s going to cut the bunz toenails!

[tanlover14]

Oh god, GOOD LUCK! Doing our buns toenails for the first time was torture. I have a scar to prove it! LOL.

[AnnaNutBread]

The vet has already cut his toenails when we first brought him in for a checkup and he was totally calm, we call her the bunny whisperer. But we don’t know how it’s going to turn out this Saturday though!

[bigmak5]

Posted By tanlover14 on 12/05/2012 10:04 AM

I would suggest the medium. I have three 4.5 lb buns and I can fit them all into a medium one.

i got the intermediate one, i ordered it before i saw your post. i figured better be bigger than smaller. it came today its pretty big but the truth is i haven’t tested its size yet so it might be just right, either way i think i am gonna keep it it was a good deal. the last one i ordered it was to small so either way this will be better even if it is slightly bigger than he needs (i guess that just means more room for some of his stuff i didn’t check but it might even be big enough for one of his litter boxes).

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