How to Take a Road Trip With a Pet Rabbit

For many people, road trips are an enjoyable experience. But for their beloved pet rabbits, travel can be extremely stressful, especially if the animal isn’t used to traveling in the car. However, you can ensure that your rabbit has a safe and comfortable road trip if you follow several important steps.

Things You'll Need

  • Carrier/cage
  • Water bowl
  • Food bowl
  • Hay
  • Fresh greens
  • Towel/blanket
  • Simethicone (20 mg infant gas drops)
  • Syringe
  • Litter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare your rabbit for your road trip by familiarizing him with taking trips in the car. Start by taking a half-hour ride, then bump up the time to 45 minutes and keep increasing the time until you get to two or three hours.

    • 2

      Pack everything you will need for the road trip and for when you arrive at your destination, including fresh hay, pellets, fresh greens, water and food bowls, litter, cardboard for your rabbit to chew, and his favorite toys. You should also pack simethicone and a syringe, just in case your rabbit starts showing signs of G.I. stasis.

    • 3

      Choose how your rabbit will travel: in a travel carrier or a regular-sized cage. If you will be traveling for a long period, such as several days, you’ll likely want to opt for a regular-sized cage.

    • 4

      When you are ready to leave, secure your rabbit’s cage or carrier in the car so that it doesn’t slide around, ensuring she isn’t directly hit by the air conditioning or the heat. Never leave your rabbit’s carrier on the floor, especially in the front seat, as the toxic fumes from the engine can and will kill your bunny.

    • 5

      If you're traveling when it's hot, ensure your rabbit is cool by turning on the air conditioner. If you do not have air conditioning, provide your rabbit with a frozen water bottle or cold towels to lean against.

    • 6

      Stop frequently to make sure that your rabbit is O.K., and to encourage him to drink water and eat fresh greens or hay. It’s normal for rabbits to not eat or drink while in the car, so be sure that you keep your rabbit hydrated by offering plenty of water and fresh greens when you stop for breaks.

    • 7

      Never leave your rabbit in the car alone, whether it’s the middle of summer or the middle of winter. If you have to stop for dinner, run through the drive-through rather than endangering your rabbit’s life and health.

    • 8

      Be particularly observant of your rabbit’s eating and excreting habits during and after the road trip. Road trips can be extremely stressful, especially for sensitive rabbits and those rabbits who are not used to traveling, so be on the lookout for signs of G.I. stasis.