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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A top opening carrier?

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    • Elliriyanna
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        Does anyone know a good top opening carrier for rabbits? I don’t want to have to corner him in a front opening one ( Thats what its bond to feel like having an arm reaching through the only opening) 

        And I need one at the very least to be able to take him to the vet. 


      • LBJ10
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          I have a small, top opening carrier. HUGE pain in the butt. The vet opens the top and Wooly goes flying. Luckily, he’s usually going for me since he seems to think I’m going to save him. And then getting him back in and shutting it without him trying to make a break for it before you can get your hand out and the top closed is a pain.


        • Elliriyanna
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            I yook the entire top off of a front opening carrier and my rabbit didt even move lol.


          • Kokaneeandkahlua
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              I think it’s harder to put them in then one with a door, if you could find one with a top and a side door that would be something I might like. But the top is a big pain.

              I have the ones with front doors and when we get to the vet, I just put the carrier on the table and open the door and they come out. Reducing handling


            • Elliriyanna
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                I guess I will keep looking


              • Elliriyanna
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                • LBJ10
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                    This one is probably your best option if you want a door on the top.

                    http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-…ng+carrier


                  • Bam
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                      Generally top opened carriers and cages are not recommended for bunnies since their worst enemies often come from above them (predator birds etc), so if you’re opting for a top-opened carrier for stress-reduction purposes, it may not be the best choice after all.

                      I have a front opened carrier and when I open it and put it on the floor, the buns hop inside because they’re so curious. Reduces handling =)


                    • Sarita
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                      • Bam
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                          Of course Sarita, it can be difficult if the bunny is very uncomfortable with travelling. I often stick my hand into the carrier when we travel so they are used to being pet while in the carrier. But a terrified bunny that huddles up in the far end of a carrier could be difficult to get out and it could be very unpleasant for the bunny. It could make a visit to the vet even scarier. My bunnies tend to jump out of the carrier at the vet and cling on to me, probably in the hope that I’ll save them =(

                          Esp Yohio isn’t fond of going to the vet after he had his dental ordeal.

                          I guess it’s best to chose carrier according to the personality of the bun that’s going to ride in it. But they do get used to travelling. In my fruitless efforts to bond my buns they got to make a lot of car-rides. They got used to the car-rides but not to each other, unfortunately =(


                        • Sarita
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                            I cannot think of a rabbit who loves going to the vet or anywhere else :~) in a carrier.

                            I guess my reason for liking the top opening is that trying to get a rabbit out of the front opening is difficult as they may huddle in the back or spread their legs out making it difficult to get them out of the carrier in a hurry.

                            At least with a top opening carrier you have the option to open at the top or on the side and it’s good to have options.


                          • JackRabbit
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                              All of my carriers are front opening and I don’t have any problem getting the bunnies out. An additional top door would be nice for petting though.


                            • Cottontail
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                                We’ve got 3 carriers (2 buns and 1 cat), and all of them are the same basic design; 2 doors, one front and one top.
                                Pete goes in and out the carrier through the front no problem. Tilly and Zoey have to be top-loaded, but will exit the normal side door.
                                They work wonderfully on long trips, because you can have the carrier seat-belted in place and still have the option to open the top and pet or feed them without having to remove or jostle the carrier. It’s also nice to be able to open the top just a little and reach in to comfort them either during a ride or a wait at the vets office. I always keep a nice cloth poncho to go over the carrier, because it’s basically a privacy blanket with a hole for the handle, and you can open the top and block all but the hole from the poncho for reaching/viewing so the buns/cat don’t have too much room to hop out while you check on them.


                              • Tessie
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                                  My carrier opens on the top and on two of the sides. Just saying. #superior


                                • The Law Bun
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                                    Hello! I guess I’ll offer my top sided carrier– http://www.petco.com/product/117374/Petmate-2-Door-Top-Load-Kennel.aspx. This thing rocks for real, and its been on sale for a while. Its super spacious for my bunny but not HUGE. she cant flop out if she really wanted (and she did in one car ride). Many people say big carriers are bad because bunnies will slip and fall, but its simply not true. I put down 3 blankets on the bottom so Lilith has plenty of traction, and she can dig herself a little fort which to sleep in. I have a very steep hill with pretty rough stops near my parents house, and Lilith has never been tossed one way or another. So I suggest a larger carrier, they are also much better for longer trips if you ever have them because you can fit in food or some kind of water (not sure how I would do water yet but haven’t had to. But seriously, if you get one, just make sure its an adequate size. As the bunny grows it fits even better and ensures your not buying a second or third when you don’t have to. Having room to fit in toys (stuff play mates, etc.) really helps ease stress as well I think.

                                    On the top loading/stress debate, I have no opinion one way or another. I agree the top down grab is probably stressful for bunnies, equally as so as pulling them out the front. I am not sure it reduces stress, but I doubt it really adds any additional stress. Lilith enjoys sticking her head out the top. But the real advantage is the sheer convenience of top loader. Its easier for vets, easier to pet when in the cage, easier to put them in in a hurry/grab them out. I think the convenience for me as the owner outweighs any minor stress from having a top loader.

                                    Also if you are worried about the stress component, you could do what many owners have done and leave the carrier in the play area. This allows your bunny to hang out in it, get used to it, etc. I have not done this but I read it helps. Honestly I just throw a craisin in and Lilith goes on it .


                                  • tobyluv
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                                      I have the Binny Top Pet Carrier that you linked to, http://www.amazon.com/Binny-2-Top-Pet-Carrier/dp/B0002AQXD6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1430966414&sr=8-2&keywords=top+opening+carrier. It used to come in 2 sizes, with one being a couple of inches longer. I’m not sure which one I have. I like it a lot and prefer it to the side opening carrier that I got first. The Sanctuary where I volunteer also ordered several, because it can be very difficult to get a rabbit out from the side opening carriers. The first time I went to the vet with the carrier, she thought it was very nice and much easier with the top opening. None of my rabbits have ever tried to leap out. On a recheck one time, the vet didn’t even take my rabbit out of the carrier, she was able to examine his ears just fine, and he felt more comfortable in the carrier, than exposed on the table. It’s very easy to lift the whole lid off if needed.

                                      The only downside to this carrier is that it doesn’t seem quite as sturdy as my other carrier, so I usually support the bottom of it while carrying it with the handle. But I still really like it and haven’t gone back to my first carrier since I got this one. That bottom floor grid and the food/water cup are removable. I don’t use them and I’ve never used the strap.


                                    • Cottontail
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                                        Ours are small dog carriers. Pete’s we’ve had for a couple years… Tilly and Zoey have similar styles, but a bit bigger:
                                        This is what we got for TIlly and Zoey:

                                        And here’s Pete in his carrier on a long car trip… Showing off the top door feature.


                                      • Little Lion Head
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                                          That’s exactly what we have CT, it’s the medium sized for both buns to fit.

                                          I like the top opening to get them in and out of the carrier. Pumpkin will not come out the front when we are somewhere new. If you don’t do top opening at least most carriers are pretty easy to take apart and you can just remove the whole top section if you need to!


                                        • LittlePuffyTail
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                                            I have a front door type carrier and when I go to take Bindi out he braces his back legs and I can’t get him out. I have to unsnap it and take the top part off. My next carrier will be a top opening.


                                          • LBJ10
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                                              All of the carriers pictured in this thread look much easier to use than my stupid carrier. I really should get a new one, maybe one with a top door and a side door.


                                            • Elliriyanna
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                                                Thanks I will just go get a carrier I am comfortable with.


                                              • mango
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                                                  Looks like you got lots of good replies. What carrier did you end up going with?

                                                  Mods, this thread is recent enough that I don’t want to open a new thread to give my thoughts on top-opening & other carriers, for anyone who may interested in this topic in the future. I hope that’s ok?

                                                  1) Rigid fabric carriers with doors at both ends – You said top opening but doors at both ends works too. Many don’t recommend fabric carriers because rabbits can chew through them. Especially those flimsy collapsible nylon ones. But I had a great one for Peter.

                                                  It was rigid cylinder shaped (not collapsible) with thick taut fabric mesh doors that unzipped at *both* ends. Stitching, especially inside, was high quality, strong & hidden, so would be difficult to chew anything as all fabric was tight with no edges to get teeth around (with exception of sheepskin pad that he never chewed anyway). It had a removable washable faux sheepskin pad & a wipable nylon interior. He never peed in it nor chewed anything. Many would say it was too small but I disagree. It was like a tunnel that a rabbit would like to play in. He was secure inside so not jostled around too much during transportation. All that fabric could potentially get too hot but it was great in an AC-controlled car or walk on a cool day for short trips to the vet. A longer trip would be unsuitable.

                                                  It was beautiful too – faux leather cream-colored on the outside with chocolate brown piping, zippers & purse-style straps. I regret I got rid of it when Peter died.

                                                  This Super Pet Come Along canvas carrier is a similar style, but with mesh side windows instead of mesh doors. It does unzip at both ends, which is not clear in the pic. I haven’t been able to find the larger rabbit-sized version (only the small size for rats, guinea pigs, etc):
                                                  http://lcdn.petonly.ca/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/0/2/026-62301-2.jpg

                                                  2) Clamshell carrier – Top opening but low enough sides when open to scoop your hands in at the bun’s sides instead of directly from the top like a predator. Some say its too short but some ppl may not want their bun to be able to periscope while traveling, which risks injury in case of a sudden stop. This review shows why its awesome (1:00-2:00 only):
                                                  https://youtu.be/stJYYyrE7KM

                                                  I found mine on eBay. It has a solid top not a grid top, so its still ventilated at the sides but your bun can see less, which might feel less stressful for your bun. Though LBJ10 revealed how this style of top-opening carrier could be a pain, on the first page of this thread.

                                                  Note: do not use with lop-eared buns bc their ears can get caught when closing.

                                                  Edit: Alternative clamshell style, the Top Runner:
                                                  http://montrealcritters.com/store/top-runner

                                                  3) Catit Cabrio carrier – Top & front opening. Several recommendations for this brand on this forum. Expensive. Got mine on Amazon. This review sums it up nicely. You’ll see the bunny inside, very relaxed even while being carried (though it might just be that bun’s personality, plus they haven’t gone outside yet).
                                                  https://youtu.be/Rg7bwXulR5Q

                                                  PS – I avoid carriers with metal wire doors ever since reading a post about an incident where bunny tried to chew on it + sudden braking = malocclusion.


                                                • Elliriyanna
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                                                    The clam shell carrier with the bars on top has been discontinued the one they still make would even make me freak out.

                                                    I went with nature’s miracle advanced double door pet suite. It’s expensive but I think a good carrier is worth the investment.

                                                    My boys have never even gone near the front door. They like to huddle in the safety of the back of the carrier.

                                                    I have seen those come along canvas ones … they originally were made to house a small carrier but they discontinued the carrier


                                                  • mango
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                                                      That looks great, since your buns don’t chew the bars!

                                                      Yes I really wish they’d stop discontinuing my favorite bunny supplies (unless it’s a safety issue of course). Happens too often. NIC-style grids keep changing and becoming harder to find. All 3 carriers I mentioned are hard to find. Still some floating around eBay & Amazon. Their rarity drives the price up.

                                                      Might be easy to buy a rigid fabric cylinder style for small dogs and have it modified so the back end also unzips (either diy or take it to a tailor shop):
                                                      http://www.beyondtherack.com/product/PETB26BRBMD?filter%5Bsize%5D=&sortBy=&category=0


                                                    • BarbaraC
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                                                        I bought the Catit Cabrio carrier. It has mixed reviews online but more are favorable. It has a front door and the top opens like a clam shell. My bunnies love it!


                                                      • mango
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                                                          Alternative top-opening/clamshell style, the Top Runner:
                                                          http://montrealcritters.com/store/top-runner

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                                                      Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A top opening carrier?