Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Traveling without bunny

Viewing 9 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • Hank
      Participant
      10 posts Send Private Message

        I’d like to get some of your opinions on how you travel without bunny.  I’m afraid to leave him alone even one night.  Reasons being :

        When I feed him, he wolfs down all of his food at once and so I have to give it to him in 2-3 rations a day. I know I wouldn’t be able to find someone to do this.  Also, if he’s hungry, he will make a lot of noise until I feed him and I know the neighbors wouldn’t like this if I was gone for several days.

        If you don’t have family or a friend to check in on him, how do you find someone reliable? How often would this person need to come by?

        Do you think it would be OK to leave a bunny like this for several days or a week, just with someone periodically checking on him?  I know that putting him in a day care place would be traumatizing for him, but at least he wouldn’t be all alone.

        I’d like to hear what you guys have to say and maybe some past experiences.  Thank you!

         

         


      • Gravehearted
        Participant
        2428 posts Send Private Message

          Our local rabbit rescue does bunny sitting in volunteer’s homes. The first time I dropped my 2 bunnies they were nervous, but they seemed very happy when we got home. The second time they went they were VERY excited about going 🙂

          I’d much rather have someone who knows and loves bunnies caring for them. At first I thought I’d really prefer to have someone come into the house, but then realized they actually get more love and attention staying with the caregiver. I’m really glad I needed a pet sitter, since it connected with the local rescue and now I volunteer with them. So my recommendation would be contact your local rescue to see if they bunnysit or have recommendations.

          I’d be hesitant to board your bunny somewhere that handles mostly boards cats and dogs, since it can be really stressful on the bunny. The staff likely won’t know much about rabbit’s care either. Another option might be to ask a very responsible neighbor or co-worker.

          With regards to the food – I think as long as your bunny has unlimited hay at all times, he likely wouldn’t need someone to come in more than 2 times a day. He would also likely be ok for a few days with once a day visits, as long as it’s a good length visit where he gets running / play time too.


        • BinkyBunny
          Moderator
          8776 posts Send Private Message

            I agree with Gravehearted that someone wouldn’t need to come in more than two times a day. When you say periodically, I’m not exactly sure what you mean, but should be daily, and they should check for health signs, like a change in behavior, lethargy, and notice if there is any new poop.

            Or you could have the bunny stay with a trusted friend, but they would also have to know how to notice health issues. I have a Bunny Sitter Guide that can help with that.  (note the PDF and WORD links once you are there should be fixed soon – this will make sense once you are there)

            And like Gravehearted said, if you can find a rabbit rescue group that boards that is a great option. I know at SaveABunny, a boarder came in while I was there, and of course everyone is nervous about leaving their bunny in a unfamiliar place, but their bunny was making himself at home and munching on hay in no time. And being that the place knows everything about bunnies, their health and well-being will always be tended to correctly.

            And it’s also important to note that since most rabbit rescues are run by volunteers, like me, who love bunnies enough to clean cages and care for them without ever being paid, then you that should say something about the kind of care a bunny would get at a good rabbit rescue. 


          • osprey
            Participant
            2065 posts Send Private Message

              We are taking the bold step of taking our bunnies with us when we go away next week.  In the past, I have either left them alone for overnighters, or one of our foster sites took them in for a few days.  The hotel we are going to is pet friendly, so we are bringing the buns along.  I am most concerned about the drive down there, which should take about 3 hours.  Once there, we will set the buns up in a collapsible dog pen and let them run around with us when we are in the room.  We’ll see how it goes, bunnies are supposed to do well with travel.

               


            • poopy
              Participant
              684 posts Send Private Message

                Unrelated sidequestion, does he have unlimited hay?


              • Hank
                Participant
                10 posts Send Private Message

                  Hi everyone:
                  Thanks for your replies!
                  Yes, he has unlimited hay and water.
                  In the research I’ve done, I learned Rabbits don’t like change and usually don’t travel well, and suggested the best option was to leave them in their home and have someone checking on them daily.
                  I agree with Gravehearted and think they’d be better off in a place like a rescue where they have more care and attention and maybe even the companionship of other rabbits. But this contradicted some of the things I read, so that’s why I wanted some other opinions. Thank you, I’ll do some more research and see what options are available in my area.


                • BinkyBunny
                  Moderator
                  8776 posts Send Private Message

                    Well, it’s true, they don’t like change, and yes, having them stay in their own home is much less stressful, but it didn’t sound like having your bunny stay at your place was ideal because of the possible disturbance to the neighbors. You don’t want to return homeless. So the option to to take a bunny to board at a rabbit rescue is a good one because even IF your bunny is stressed with change, they can take good care of him.

                    My friend, another SaveABunny volunteer, and I used to trade bunny sitting when we lived closer. So maybe in the future, you will be able to have a rabbit savvy friend or family member pet sit.


                  • Hank
                    Participant
                    10 posts Send Private Message

                      Thanks Binky! Yes, if we end up homeless, I don’t think Hank would ever get over the guilt and shame I hope I don’t have to go anywhere soon, cause I just adopted him, but sometimes biz trips get sprung on me, so I wanted to have some resources available just in case. I have friends and neighbors who can check on him, but the best bet might be boarding him, since none of them are rabbit savvy. I wouldn’t feel right leaving unless I was sure he’d be OK.

                      Even though it’s been just over a week, he seems to be opening up more and more. When I got home from work last night he came right up to me and layed down in front of me for a nose rub and knew it was time for his greens.

                      Enjoy the rest of your day!


                    • Lucy
                      Participant
                      370 posts Send Private Message

                        I like leaving my bunnies at home. There was actually an unexpected emergency about a month ago. I had left chicago to go to la for a week. I live with my bf and he was taking care of the bunnies. no big deal. the day I left, he ended up in the hospital. I had a friend come over, once a day to check up on the bunnies. I had to talk her through everything since I wasn’t expecting anyone to take care of them. She did a good job. Sometimes she came on the morning of one day and the night of the next day. I made sure they got greens when she was there and told her to leave a lot more hay out than usual. I have THREE bowls of water set out for them and told her to put the air conditioner on a certain temp. All in all my bf was in the hospital for 4 days, and the bunnies were fine.

                        I don’t think it is necessary for someone to come twice a day. Personally, I think that once a day is enough. I’ve NEVER had a problem with my bunnies. Just lots and lots of hay- we have a hay box that we can fill up and it “dispenses” hay- and lots of water.


                      • cookie627
                        Participant
                        387 posts Send Private Message

                          well i am out of the country and coming home to Cookie in a week!!!!!!!! it’s been 2 months!!!!!! well why don’t you ask a relative to watch your bun. i always do that. plus it could give them company. bunny roaming house.

                      Viewing 9 reply threads
                      • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                      Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Traveling without bunny