Rabbits are tiny and fragile creatures that need extreme care and attention, especially if they have to travel. Irrespective of the rabbit breed you have, a rabbit’s travel is highly influenced by his current health condition, type of vehicle, the arrangement made, ventilation, and stress levels.
So, how long can a rabbit travel in a car? A rabbit can travel for 1-2 hours in a car provided they have ventilation and appropriate rabbit carriers. For a rabbit already used to travel, 3-4 hours of travel in a car would be appropriate.
In this article, I will tell you how I have trained my rabbit to travel in a car and precautions that I followed. Perhaps, you can travel-train your rabbit if you are planning for long-distance travel.
How long should a rabbit be in a car?
A rabbit needs a rest stop every 25 minutes and it needs to be at least 10 minutes of rest so he can fresh up and cooperate for the next 25 minutes.
If your rabbit is entirely new to traveling in a car, you should do the following.
- Plan for short trips (local) at least a month before the actual trip. This will get them accustomed to the environment.
- Arrange adequate space for movement. Do not restrict them to a specific region.
If you have an Angora rabbit, you can get your answer for the exact space – how much space do Angora rabbits need?
- Keep him on your lap and comfort him throughout the short trip so he knows you will be there to support during long trips.
According to Lennon the bunny, traveling with your bunny in the car is very much possible but a bunny should not be left on the seat. Instead, leave him on your lap and his stress levels can be zeroed down.
Now that you have traveled for 25 minutes, you might wonder what to do next. Of course, you do not have to let him open on the ground. But, you can allow him to do some stretches or explore the flooring or probably, have some treats. This will pacify your bunny.
How to travel with a rabbit in a car?
In general, rabbits do not tolerate long trips in the absence of humans and if they are new to the experience. If you are planning a long trip with your bunny, you should take certain precautions.
Plan ahead
When you plan ahead, you can give him the experience to travel with you on short trips. Otherwise, it can develop GI stasis in rabbits that can further affect their digestive system and postures. According to PetMD, gastrointestinal (GI) stasis blocks the intestine and affects his body functioning within a short span.
Carry rabbit essentials
When I traveled with my bunny, I packed a separate luggage bag for him which included water, hay, blanket, carrier, treat, toy, and a trash bag.
The most important thing to carry is also a thermometer since you may have to keep an eye on his temperature.
These essentials gave me some peace and also enabled me to fulfill all the needs of my bunny. While I never had the opportunity to engage him with toys, he was comfortable with the blanket covering him.
Use a rabbit carrier
When you’re traveling with your pet rabbit, you’ll want to use a carrier. When choosing one, think carefully about where your rabbit will be during your travels. Do you want her near you at all times? Or do you prefer her locked away and out of sight? Then consider how much time she’ll spend there—will it be just for short car rides or long road trips as well? Those are all factors that will help you choose which type of carrier is best. Be sure that whatever kind of carrier you get can easily open from both sides so it won’t feel like your pet is trapped inside; she should also have enough room to move around and stretch while still being able to see out and breathe easily.
Consider how large your rabbit is and, again, how she’ll be traveling. Some carriers are too small for bigger bunnies who can kick and move around freely inside, while others have gaps that they could potentially escape through. Also, think about what time of year you’ll be traveling. If it’s winter, you may want a carrier with more insulation or something that keeps her warm, as well as one that provides sufficient ventilation so she doesn’t overheat on warmer days. Finally, you’ll want to get one that has some sort of handle for carrying purposes; otherwise, if it’s just sitting loose on your car floor during travel, it can get pushed around or cause your rabbit unnecessary stress.
Keep the car cool before the trip begins
If you plan on traveling by car, it’s best to keep your vehicle cool before you head out. Even if your destination is only 45 minutes away, make sure that your rabbit is comfortable. Roll down all of your windows and turn on all of your air conditioning before you hit the road. Otherwise, they may get too hot while inside. Also, be mindful of their breathing.
When you drive quickly or start moving from one place to another, you might need to help your bunny adjust. Bring them inside for 20 minutes beforehand and allow them some alone time so they can take in deep breaths when not stressed by outside stimuli such as sounds or smells. To help establish even more comfort between you two and relax them further during transport, try petting them for five minutes prior to leaving – grooming is also great for keeping rabbits calm!
Note. Maintaining a temperature of 22-24 degrees Celsius inside the car would be ideal since it is neither too hot nor too cool. It just gives the right warmth.
Schedule your travel
Plan regular pitstops. Like I mentioned before, it is better to take a rest for 5 minutes after every 25 minutes so that your bunny has enough time to move around. This is also the time to ensure the comfort level of the little one.
When I carried my bunny for 2 hours, I planned for a total of 5 stops of 5 minutes each. Each time I stopped, I gave her some water and hay. Also, I patted her for some time and then gave her some room to move around the car. After she was thoroughly alright, I restarted the trip.
Carry cleaning supplies for your bunny
From little droppings on your clothes to sinking into his cage, there are plenty of ways things could go wrong—and that’s before we even touch on possible car trouble or other drivers. While you can’t predict all the bad things that might happen during a trip, keeping an emergency kit for your bunny in your trunk can be an easy way to help minimize problems. Cleaning supplies (or at least paper towels and some disinfectant), plastic bags, and containers for storing droppings are all good options.
Make note of local rabbit vet
If you are planning on traveling with your rabbit, it is imperative that you bring them to your local veterinarian. They will be able to confirm if your rabbit is well enough for travel, as well as provide any other travel advice for your specific situation.
Find a local rabbit vet in the destination even before 2 days of visit and find out the availability. This will leave your bunny completely safe in spite of emergencies.
Avoid loud noises
Pets can become anxious and stressed during car rides, especially if they’re new to travel. This can lead to what is known as car sickness, which not only disrupts your pet but also makes for an unpleasant ride for you. One way to avoid your rabbit getting motion sickness is by avoiding loud noises like music, heavy traffic, or other vehicles. If possible, drive on quieter roads and leave other passengers quiet and calm so that your pet isn’t afraid of unnecessary noises.
Check health changes regularly
When they are stressed, they can palpate quickly. During long trips, this can increase their temperature. Carry a thermometer and ensure that your bunny has a body temperature of 102-103 degrees Fahrenheit, as per data provided by Michigan University. This indicates that the environment is warm too.
Find out if your bunny is dehydrated. Here is a detailed article on how to tell if a rabbit is dehydrated. Follow the steps and rehydrate your bunny for a safe travel.
Make note if he eats or not. If it is a long journey and he hasn’t eaten anything throughout, give some time and provide his favorite food at the end of the trip. If he is new to trips, it can take a day for him to calm down entirely.
Can I carry my rabbit in a bag?
Carrying a rabbit in a bag that is designed exclusively for rabbits and has adequate room for movement and ventilation would be recommended. You cannot use your regular bags to carry your rabbit as it can result in congestion and his body parts might fall short of movements.
During travel, it is highly recommended to keep him on your lap so that he doesn’t feel over-stressed or uncomfortable with the arrangement. This will also let him cooperate with you for the entire travel.
How far can a rabbit travel in a day?
A rabbit, new to travel, can travel up to 20 minutes while a regularly traveling rabbit can travel 2-3 hours on average. This will also include pitstops required to check his vitals and calm him down.
Conclusion
Traveling with a rabbit in car is a crucial process that demands you to adhere to several precautions. Most importantly, when you are negligent of something, it can leave your little bunny at stake.
In this article, I have explained some key points that bunny owners (including myself) have tried. Following them would just be sufficient to achieve safe travel with absolutely no fusses or negative impacts.
Happy bunny-traveling!