Can I Take My Rabbit on a Road Trip Safely?

Britt
by Britt
Updated:  September 13th, 2024
Photo credit: Dmitry Dven / Shutterstock.com

As pet parents and animal lovers, we often talk about the joys of road-tripping with cats and dogs, but what about the many other pets we call family? What if you share your heart (and home) with a rabbit?


Great news! Whether you’re planning a family vacation and want to include your bunny in the fun, or you’re moving across the country and need to figure out how to transport a rabbit to your new home, taking your furry family member on the road IS possible.


To help you plan for your next big trip, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about taking a road trip with a rabbit, including the safest way to travel with your rabbit, tips for the most enjoyable trip for both you and your rabbit, and when it’s best to leave your rabbit at home with a friend, family member, or trusted pet sitter.


Let’s get started…


Is it Stressful for Rabbits to Travel?


One of the most important questions we must ask ourselves whenever we consider travelling with a pet is whether travel will bring more stress than it’s worth. If your rabbit is going to be stressed and anxious the entire time, they won’t be able to enjoy spending this time with you.


There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Instead, we each need to learn to read our rabbit’s body language and recognize when they are uncomfortable in a situation.


The most common signs of stress in rabbits include:

  • Ears flattened to their back
  • A rigid, crouched posture
  • Thumping of hind legs
  • Trembling
  • Restlessness
  • Lethargy or lower-than-normal energy levels
  • Loss of appetite or increased appetite
  • Change in bathroom habits
  • Loudly grinding their teeth
  • Wide and bulging eyes
  • Rapid, shallow breathing
  • Making frustrated grunting noises
  • Sudden, unexplained aggressive behavior
  • Hiding or acting withdrawn
  • Reluctance to be touched or held
  • Loss of interest in their favorite activities
  • Self-mutilation habits (excessive licking, biting, etc.)


For your first rabbit travel experience, start small. Introduce them first to the vehicle in your driveway, waiting to turn on the engine until they are comfortable with it off. You can then work up to a longer trip by starting with the engine going but sitting in the driveway, moving slightly up and down the driveway, and then taking a short trip around the block.


Throughout the conditioning process, pay careful attention to your rabbit. If you notice any of the above signs of stress, slow down and avoid moving on to the next step. This may mean, in time, acknowledging that your rabbit isn’t comfortable travelling despite your best efforts – and that’s okay! Many rabbits are happier relaxing at home and being spoiled by a loved one while you are on vacation.

Can Rabbits Go on Long Car Rides?


Yes! If you take the time to condition your rabbit to travel in the car comfortably and they show that they are relaxed when the vehicle is in motion, there is a good chance that they will handle a longer car ride. Of course, there are some additional considerations for a longer car ride.


First, you should pay extra attention to the area where your rabbit will spend their time. This means providing them with a carrier that allows enough room to move around slightly and stretch their legs, as well as a comfortable place to lie down.


When planning your road trip route, account for regular breaks. This is your opportunity to offer your bunny fresh water and a snack. If you litter-trained your rabbit, give them time to use the box before hitting the road again. If not, you can harness your rabbit and take them into the grass to do their business. This is also your chance to check their travel space and do necessary cleanups.


Can You Sedate a Rabbit for Travel?


While sedation may sound like the perfect solution, experts don’t recommend using sedation before a road trip with your rabbit. It may even have the opposite effect, adding to the problem.


Consider, for a moment, you have a highly anxious rabbit that has been sedated. As you’re travelling, that sedation starts to wear off. As your rabbit starts to come to, they will be in a foggy state of mind, which can cause more confusion, making them more nervous as they try to figure out what they are experiencing. Then, as their mind starts to clear up, they recognize that they are in a situation that has proven to be stressful in the past. Not only will this make the current trip more stressful, but it sets the stage for your rabbit to associate fear and anxiety with the idea of travelling in the future.


Additionally, there is the risk that sedation can have unwanted side effects, including affecting your rabbit’s ability to breathe.


If you must road trip with a rabbit that isn’t comfortable in the vehicle, such as an upcoming long-distance move, make an appointment with your veterinarian. This will allow you to express your concerns, discuss your options, and find a solution under a professional's knowledgeable care and watchful eye.

Photo credit: Toey Toey / Shutterstock.com

How to Travel with a Rabbit Safely: 8 Tips


Schedule a Vet Checkup


Before heading on any trip, schedule a checkup with your veterinarian. This is an opportunity to ensure that your rabbit is in top shape and can travel comfortably. Rabbits are masters of hiding pain and illness, making a proper checkup even more critical. If you have questions, like whether sedation is a solution for your rabbit, this is the perfect time to have that conversation.


Plan Your Trip Well in Advance


Many travel lovers enjoy hopping in the car and heading out on the road with no plan, trusting that the road will take them somewhere exciting and it will all work out somehow. This is great if it’s just you and your spouse, but it doesn’t work well if your rabbit is joining in on the adventure. Instead, take the time to sit down and plan out where you are going, what breaks you will be taking, and what is waiting for you when you arrive at your destination. Take note of any small animal veterinarians along your travel route, including their location and contact information. This will make it easier to find help in an emergency.


This allows you to predict any potential setbacks or problems that you may encounter and prepare to manage those situations accordingly.


Stress is more than just an annoyance for your rabbit. High stress levels can make them physically ill by triggering conditions like GI Stasis. This condition may present as nothing more than digestive upset at first, but left untreated, it can quickly turn fatal.


Pack a Fully Stocked First Aid Kit


A first aid kit is an essential element whenever you are traveling, even if it’s just you on a solo adventure. Of course, your first aid kit isn’t going to be much good if you don’t take the time to check that it’s fully stocked before heading out on your journey. For those of us adventuring with a furry friend, this means packing some specialized items to address the unique challenges our pets may face.


Some supplies you may want to add to your first aid kit for traveling with a rabbit include:


Keep all your first aid kit essentials in a waterproof container where you can access it quickly, for example, under the front seat of the vehicle, where you can easily grab it without moving other items out of the way.


Purchase a Pet Carrier


What is the safest way to travel with a rabbit? Unlike humans and larger dogs, you can’t secure your rabbit properly using a seatbelt. Instead, secure your rabbit safely in a travel carrier. This will prevent them from being thrown in the event of an accident. To keep the carrier from moving during travels, use the seatbelt to hold it firmly in place on the seat.


Choose a carrier that provides plenty of ventilation. If your rabbit is slightly nervous or unsure about car travel, selecting a rabbit travel carrier that allows them to see and engage with you easily can help ease their mind.

Line the Carrier with a Pee Pad


Adding a puppy pee pad to the bottom of your bunny travel carrier can make cleanup far easier if your rabbit has an accident during travel. You can use a low-cost, disposable pee pad that can be quickly disposed of wherever your travels take you or, if you’re more concerned about your impact on the environment, there are reusable pee pads that you will bring home and wash after your trip.


Include Items with Familiar Scents


Another great way to ease the anxiety your rabbit experiences during travel is to include a favorite item in their carrier. This could be a bed they often sleep in or a toy they regularly play with. Including a familiar scent in their setup will provide a relaxing and calming effect, helping them settle into their carrier with less stress.


Consider Draping a Blanket Over Your Rabbit Travel Carrier


Rabbits are naturally more comfortable in a den-like setting. You can recreate this by draping a blanket over your rabbit's carrier to darken the space and provide the feeling of being safely underground. Take it a step further by placing blankets or hay inside the carrier that your rabbit can burrow into. But pay careful attention to the ventilation, ensuring you aren’t cutting it off entirely.


Avoid Playing Loud Music


One thing often associated with a successful road trip is a killer playlist – but you must pay careful attention to the volume of your music during your travels. Loud music can contribute to your rabbit’s stress levels, worsening a difficult situation. This doesn’t mean you must avoid playing your favorite tunes. Just keep the volume down.


On the other hand, music can be used to help reduce stress. If you notice your rabbit is starting to show signs of stress and anxiety, try turning on calming music. Classical music has been found to have a calming effect on animals. You can also try playing a podcast or audiobook showcasing a calm voice.

Final Thoughts: Road Trip with a Rabbit


Traveling with a pet can be stressful, especially if it’s a pet that doesn’t usually join you for road trips and vacations. But this doesn’t mean you can’t set your rabbit up for a safe and enjoyable trip. The most important thing you can do when considering a road trip with a rabbit is to take the time to plan out the various elements of your travels well in advance, including setting up your rabbit’s travel carrier, identifying places to stop along the route, ensuring you have a list of small animal veterinarians in the event of an emergency, and more.


We can’t control everything that happens, especially when on the road or visiting somewhere new. However, we can identify potential complications or challenges and ensure that we are ready to take them in stride. This will significantly increase the chance of your trip being enjoyable for both you and your furry best friend.

WOW
Britt
Britt

Britt Kascjak is a proud pet mom, sharing her heart (and her home) with her “pack” which includes her husband John, their 2 dogs – Lucifer and Willow – and their 2 cats – Pippen and Jinx. She has been active in the animal rescue community for over 15 years, volunteering, fostering and advocating for organizations across Canada and the US. In her free time, she enjoys traveling around the country camping, hiking, and canoeing with her pets.

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 On St. Patrick’s Day, everything is in green – people wear green outfits, put up green decorations, even drink green beer, and it seems that one pooch from Florida wanted to join in on the fun. Born exactly on St Patty’s Day, one Golden Retriever from a seemingly usual litter of pups sported green fur instead of the usual cream color! He was aptly named Shamrock for his emerald hair and became an internet star overnight for the same reason.Carole DeBruler, the owner of the Golden Treasures Kennel in Pensacola, Florida, was the first to snap photos of the incredible puppy, just moments after it was born. “It was so shocking when we saw her”, she said, adding that the little doggo was clearly “born lucky”. DeBruler filmed a detailed video of the puppy, posting it on the popular platform TikTok, where it quickly garnered over 8 million views. Of course, DeBruler was quick to explain the strange phenomenon at play here. The puppy was most likely stained with biliverdin, which was caused by bile in the womb of the dog's mom. It goes without saying that doggos don’t come with green fur, but the reason for this phenomenon is a natural, albeit rare occurrence. The condition is absolutely harmless and went away on its own as little Shamrock grew older.  DeBruler emphasized that Shamrock is completely healthy and happy, and just a tiny bit smaller than the rest of the puppies in the litter. In a follow-up video, a few weeks later, it was clear that Shamrock’s unique lime green color faded, but that his "feisty personality is just getting stronger."

Study Finds Designer Dogs At High Risk of Tick Infestation

If you are regularly finding ticks in your dog’s coat, you might be wondering if there’s something special about your pooch that makes it more prone to attracting these blood-sucking pests than other dogs. Well, a new study can shed some light. Researchers from Royal Veterinary Colledge (RVC) have discovered that some dog breeds are more likely to become infested by ticks. The study revealed that popular designer crossbreeds such as cavapoo, cockapoo, goldendoodle, and cavachon have an increased risk of tick infestation due to their poodle heritage. Researchers identified standard poodles as the second most likely breed to become infested by ticks, suggesting that ticks find the poodle’s curly coat particularly appealing. “There is no single perfect dog breed so it is critical that we fully understand the strengths and weaknesses for the breed we choose to bring into our own family. Owners of dogs that are either poodle or have poodle heritage can now be aware of the need to routinely check their dogs for ticks and to perhaps ensure the coats of these dogs are kept short,” said Dr. Dan O’Neil, lead author of the study. Designer dog breeds have become extremely popular among pet lovers in recent years. Poodles are often crossed with other pure breeds to create designer hybrids, mainly because of their low-shedding coats which are considered hypoallergenic. However, this new study points out that designer dogs are at an increased risk of tick infestations because of the poodle’s curly coat. The RVC’s VetCommpass study analyzed a random sample of veterinary health records of 900,000 dogs in the UK. The results showed that ticks are a common parasite in dogs, with one in every 50 dogs diagnosed with at least one tick infestation during five years. Researchers also looked at possible risk factors to understand what makes some dogs more likely to attract ticks than others. The possible risk factors included traits such as skull shape, breed purity, coat, and body weight. While the study found that newer designer breeds had a higher risk of tick infestation, it also discovered that some pure breeds are also at high risk. These included the cairn terrier, standard poodle, golden retriever, Person Russell terrier, and miniature schnauzer. Interestingly, researchers have established that Staffordshire bull terriers, rottweilers, Chihuahuas, and English bulldogs have the lowest risks of tick infestation. The study also found that male dogs had a 1.24 higher risk of attracting ticks than female dogs. Dogs with medium-length coats and pooches with V-shaped drop, or long, floppy ears also exhibited an increased risk of tick infestation. “Ticks aren’t just pests that feast on your dog and cause them to itch; they can also be carriers of serious diseases. They can be dangerous for any age of dog and indeed any breed - although this paper shows that some dogs can be more susceptible to picking them up due to their coat - so it’s important owners know what to do if they spot one,” said Bill Lambert, Welfare and Breeding Service Executive at The Kennel Club. Ticks are blood-sucking parasites that attach to a dog’s skin and can stay there for up to a week, before falling off when they are full of blood. In addition to feeding on a dog’s blood, ticks also transmit diseases. The most common tick-borne diseases that affect dogs are Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, hepatozoonosis, and bartonellosis. These are serious diseases that can have detrimental health consequences for dogs if not treated in time. Although ticks normally live in woodlands and grasslands, they can be found in urban areas and popular hiking trails. The best way to protect your pooch is to stay up to date with your dog’s tick prevention. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

New Bill Will Eliminate Housing Barriers for Pet Owners In California

California tenants with pets rejoice - a new bill that stops landlords from denying housing to pet owners is in the works!The chair of the California Legislative Renters Caucus, Matt Haney, has introduced legislation that would compel landlords to accept tenants with pets. The bill, AB 2216, will insist that landlords have reasonable reason(s) for not allowing a pet in the rental unit. The biggest change, however, is that the bill prevents property owners from asking about pet ownership before the tenant’s application has been approved.The new bill, which is sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States, aims to solve a big problem in the rental world - a surplus of tenants with pets and a lack of landlords willing to rent to them.California has one of the highest number of tenants in the country, and close to 70% of them are pet owners. Alas, under current law, only around 30% of all rentals are pet-friendly. The lack of pet-friendly housing is causing almost a million tenants to keep pets in their rentals hidden from their landlords. This solves nothing. On one hand, landlords are left without adequate coverage for potential damages. On the other hand, pet owners are left living in constant fear of being kicked out of their homes. Andrea Amavisca, a senior legislative advocate at the California Immigration Policy Center, told the LA Times that she and her partner spent over a month looking for a two-bedroom rental in Sacramento that would allow for a small cattle dog mix.“Landlords that initially liked our application would suddenly stop answering our calls once they found out we had a dog. Or others would require a pet deposit close to $1,000 that would put the unit totally out of our budget.”Amavisca added it felt unfair that almost every landlord had a different pet policy with varying fees they could change as they pleased. Some landlords charged only $20 a month while others asked for four-figure cleaning deposits. The new bill doesn’t address fees and doesn’t prevent landlords from excluding certain types of pets. Haney’s legislation defines a common household pet as a domesticated animal, such as a cat or dog, that is kept in the home for pleasure rather than commercial uses. While pet owners are relieved to hear about the legislation, property owners are already expressing their concerns. The biggest issue is that landlords will be forced to take on pets, and the increased risk of potential property damage that comes with pets, without a pet deposit as a safeguard. Haney explained that exceptions would be made for landlords with reasonable excuses for not allowing pets on their property. “What we see too often is just these blanket prohibitions of pets with no good reason for it, with no required justification for it and no protection of pet owners, who represent the majority of California’s renters, to be able to access housing just like anyone else,” said Haney.According to Jenny Berg, California director for the Humane Society of the United States, extra fees and bans add to the overcrowding crisis in animal shelters nationwide. “One of the reasons why people relinquish their pets is because they can’t find affordable housing or housing at all that can accommodate their pets,” she said. Haney’s bill could make a massive change, as it would remove the barriers tenants face when looking for housing for them and their four-legged companions.“We want a renter to be considered first and decision made about whether they meet the requirements for the apartment,” said Haney. “And then, after that fact, they disclose that they have a pet. And only if there’s a reasonable rationale to deny them, that would be allowed.” Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

PetMeds Makes It Easier To Protect Your Pets

As the sun starts shining brighter and the days get warmer, it's the perfect time to plan some outdoor adventures with your furry companions! Whether you're hitting the slopes, swinging on the golf course, or just soaking up the sunshine on a hiking trail with your loyal sidekick by your side, it's important to ensure your pet is well-protected – and that's where PetMeds steps in to lend a helping paw.One of the biggest concerns for pet owners as the seasons change is dealing with those pesky fleas and ticks. These tiny troublemakers not only make your pet itch and scratch, but can also bring some serious health risks along for the ride. From annoying skin irritations to more severe conditions like anemia, dermatitis, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, fleas and ticks can cause real problems for our furry friends. And let's not forget the headache of dealing with a full-blown flea infestation in your home – it's a nightmare! But fear not, because PetMeds has all the tools you need to keep your pet safe and happy.To tackle this challenge, PetMeds offers a wide range of highly effective flea and tick prevention products, including NexGard, Seresto collars, Simparica Trio for dogs, and Revolution Plus for our feline companions. These products are specially formulated to zap fleas and ticks on contact, stopping infestations in their tracks and shielding your pet from all kinds of nasty diseases.But fleas and ticks aren't the only villains lurking in the shadows. With warmer weather comes an increase in mosquito activity, and that means the risk of heartworm disease skyrockets. Heartworm disease is a potentially deadly condition transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Once those pesky parasites make their way into your pet's system, they can wreak havoc on their heart, lungs, and other vital organs, leading to serious health issues. Needless to say, protecting your pet from these heart-wrenching parasites is a top priority!Thankfully, PetMeds has you covered with a variety of heartworm prevention products, including Heartgard Plus and Trifexis. These monthly medications are a breeze to administer and are incredibly effective at keeping heartworms at bay. By staying on top of your pet's heartworm prevention, you can give them the gift of year-round protection and ensure peace of mind for yourself.So as you gear up for some fun in the sun, don't forget to arm your pet with the best defense against fleas, ticks, and heartworms with PetMeds. Your furry friend will thank you with plenty of tail wags, purrs, and maybe even a slobbery kiss or two!Why PetMeds?

Viral TikTok Video Shares the Joy of a Rescue Dog Reunited with Friend

Adopting a rescue dog can be a challenge at the best of times. Having gone through multiple homes/environments, sometimes without the attention to training or socialization that helps to create that “ideal pet,” rescue parents find themselves trying to navigate various challenges and obstacles. Not that it takes away from the benefits of being a rescue pet parent – having only ever rescued our dogs and cats, I can attest to just how much love these amazing pets have to give!  One struggle many rescue pets will need to overcome is leaving behind the other pets they have previously connected or bonded with. This could include pets that they are housed with in shelter environments or those that they live with in foster homes. While some become SO incredibly bonded that organizations decide they can only be adopted together, others try to increase their chances of being adopted by offering the pets individually. This was the situation with Celeste, a beautiful and loving rescue dog that was adopted by TikTok user goosegooseduckling. However, they never could have predicted how this story would unfold… A few months after adopting the pup and bringing her into their Indiana home, Celeste’s new mom, Michelle, decided to introduce her to the neighbor’s dog. However, a short conversation with the neighbor revealed something amazing… Celeste and her new neighbor were best friends in the shelter before they were adopted! Offering even more insight into the incredible situation, Michelle wrote: “What a small world! Today we found out that our next door neighbor’s dog was adopted from the same shelter, nearly 2 hours away from where we live. They were both rescued as young pups, and each spent 9 months at the shelter… with a 6-month overlap. This was their first time seeing each other since being adopted.”The video of the two dogs running and playing has now gone viral on TikTok, with over 300 comments and 7.6K likes. It’s a reminder of the many emotions a dog in the shelter system can experience—from meeting new friends to leaving them behind for their new forever home. However, Celeste would come to enjoy the best of both worlds!

Pairing Shelter Dogs Reduces Stress and Helps Them Get Adopted Faster

Dogs are social creatures who rely on companionship, especially in stressful situations. Having a companion doesn’t only diminish loneliness, it can also have a huge impact on dogs’ future, especially those waiting for a furever home.A new study, led by Erica Feuerbacher, associate professor in the Colledge of Agriculture Life Sciences’ School of Animal Sciences found that living with a roommate lowers stress levels in shelter dogs and helps them get adopted more quickly.According to ASPCA, approximately 3.1 million dogs enter shelters nationwide each year. This new study may offer a potential solution for overcrowded animal shelters that are overwhelmed by the surge in unwanted pets and longer waits for dogs needing adoption. “Despite being a social species, dogs are often housed alone in shelters to reduce disease transmission and possible injury from inter-dog conflict. But this social isolation can work against dogs’ behavioral health and adaptability,” said Feuerbacher. “We wanted to examine whether pair housing could be a useful intervention for improving shelter dogs’ welfare.”This groundbreaking study was published in the journal PLOS One. It is the first study to look into how U.S.-based shelter dogs cope when housed alone versus when they are living with a canine companion. This isn’t the first study that researched the benefits of co-housing dogs, but previous studies focused on laboratory beagles and veterinary school dogs. These dogs were housed in kennels long-term, usually for more than six months, for research and teaching purposes. On the other hand, shelter dogs spend an average of 35 days waiting to be adopted, and are, in most cases, used to social interactions prior to entering the shelter. For seven days, researchers studied 61 dogs at the Humane Society of Western Montana. Researchers placed half the dogs in co-housing with roommates who were picked through a compatibility test and brief introduction. The other half of the group was housed alone.Throughout the week, scientists observed the dogs and recorded common stress behaviors, including lip licking, pulling back their ears, and whining. They also took daily samples of dogs’ urine to measure cortisol and creatinine, which are biological markers of stress. “Dogs housed in shelters can face chronic levels of stress due to noise, confined kennel spaces, and limited access to social interaction,” said Feuerbacher adding that this can reduce a dog’s well-being, which may affect a dog’s adoptability. Scientists were happy to discover that dogs housed together showed fewer stress behaviors. Not only that, data showed that these pooches were adopted four days sooner than single-housed dogs. These results show that pairing shelter dogs may be a way for shelters and rescues to improve the quality of dogs’ lives, increase their chances of getting adopted, and shorten their stay in the shelter. Feuerbacher hopes that these findings will encourage shelters to pair dogs with suitable roommates to reduce dogs’ stress and showcase them at their best to potential adopters. “Many potential adopters might already have a dog or would like to engage in social activities with their dog,” Feuerbacher said. “Clearly exhibiting that a dog can successfully interact with other dogs might highlight those dogs as good matches - leading to more successful adoptions.” Dogs who get to have company while they are at the shelter aren’t just happier, they also get to behave more naturally and let their true personality shine through. Co-housing dogs is a win-win situation for everyone and an easy way for shelters to get more dogs adopted into loving homes. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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