Moving with Rabbits
There are many ways to move with rabbits, but it can be confusing to figure out where to start. Whether you are moving to a new place, city, state, or even country, take a look at some travel tips to figure out how to start planning your move while ensuring your rabbit(s) comfort. This will take time and preparation, so do not leave your rabbit’s travel accommodations until the last minute!
Documentation
Before even embarking, your required documents will depend on your location.
If you are moving to another country, first research local governments to find out if rabbits are permitted entry into your destination country. Some countries may have requirements, such as requiring your rabbits to be microchipped, fixed, and vaccinated prior to entry. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) is the governmental body that determines requirements for rabbits to enter the United States, so as you research, look for similar regulatory organizations for your destination.
If you are moving across state boundaries or to another country, you will need a United States Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination from a vet within 30 days prior to your travel date. Veterinarians must have a specific license with United States Department of Agriculture APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) to be able to issue this, so call your routine vet ahead of time to inquire if they have this license. If they do not, refer to our San Diego County vet list or search for your own local exotic veterinarians to call and ask if they have any exotic vets on staff who can issue a certificate of health for travel. For more information on obtaining a health certificate for travel, read our Health Certificate article here.
Preparations
Every rabbit travels differently. Some rabbits are easily stressed by changes in their surroundings, and there are many changes to consider: being in a carrier, constant shifting and vibrations, higher noise levels, unfamiliar smells, inconsistent temperatures, and just being out of the comfort of home. As you plan for travel, consider how your rabbit does in routine car rides to grooming appointments, vet visits, or other trips they may have experienced before. Do they settle back home quickly once it’s over? Are they prone to GI stasis afterwards? Some rabbits maybe unfazed by car rides and even remain unbothered while in transit. Prepare for all scenarios, but knowing how your rabbit(s) generally do with shorter trips can help predict how they handle longer, more stressful trips.
Put together a travel kit. The distance you will be traveling and how will help determine what supplies you may need.
Carrier: Find a travel carrier large enough your rabbit can reposition themselves and lay down for comfort. It should also be large enough to provide hay and a source of water. Some people even prefer to find a carrier that fits a small water bottle for their rabbit(s).
Blankets and Towels: Providing padding for your rabbit ensures their comfort while also absorbing liquids if your rabbit urinates or water is spilled. You may have to change this out during your journey.
Food: Bring pellets, hay, and if you can fit a cooler bag of some sort, fresh salad. Rabbits that go without eating for long periods of time may be at risk of GI stasis. If you are worried about dehydration, wet your rabbit’s favorite greens with water so they get a little extra hydration as they eat.
Treats: Bring your rabbit(s)’ favorite treats. Every rabbit has their favorite, but some common ones include banana, blueberry, strawberry, or treats from brands such as Oxbow, Tigertail, Supreme Select, and Flopper’s Garden. Accepting or rejecting their favorite treat can be an indicator for how stressed your rabbit may be.
Oxbow Critical Care or Sherwood Emergency Kit: If your rabbit(s) is/are too stressed to eat on their own, you may have to syringe feed them every few hours to make sure they intake enough food throughout the day.
Medications: Talk with your vet about your travel. Ask if they recommend any GI stasis prevention measures for your rabbit(s), and if they are already on medications for an existing medical issue, that you have enough for your rabbit(s) until you can establish care and medication refills with a new vet. Do they have medications that can help reduce the stress of travel?
Pop-up Exercise Pens: If you embark on a multi day road trip, providing your rabbit with an exercise pen of some sort can give them a safe place to stretch their legs and provide normalcy during the trip. If you are also staying at a hotel or Airbnb, this can also ensure your rabbit(s) do not get up to too much mischief each night.
You know your rabbit(s) best. Does anything in particular provide them comfort like a favorite blanket or stuffed animal?
Exotic, Rabbit-Savvy Vets & Emergency Vets: In case of GI stasis or other medical emergency, it is helpful to have a list of potential vet clinics on the way or at your final destination.
Acclimating to Travel: If you believe it may help your rabbit, you can work on acclimatizing them to travel by taking short car rides and gradually increasing the length of time in the car. This may be helpful for longer travel distances (such as 5-10 hour road trips or flights) during which your rabbit will have to tolerate continuous travel.
By Car
Traveling by car can vary vastly depending on your location. Regardless if the trip is one long day or multiple days worth of travel, consider making multiple stops for yourself and your rabbit(s). Some rabbits don’t mind the ride and have no issues eating and drinking, but some rabbits refuse to do so under too much stress. Taking breaks every few hours can give your rabbit(s) a moment to de-stress and eat. Bring a sock-covered frozen water bottle and extras in a cooler if high temperatures are in the forecast.
Plan your route in advance and research the following:
Pet-friendly places to stay overnight: If a hotel or Airbnb does not allow pets, they may deny accommodations. Finding places to stay overnight will also allow your rabbits a less stressful environment than the car and may be more inclined to eat and drink normally.
Exotic, Rabbit-Savvy Vets & Emergency Vets: In case of GI stasis or other medical emergency, it’s better to have a list rather than trying to research in situations you may have limited signal.
To read a firsthand experience for traveling by car, we have multiple accounts of moving with rabbits:
Racheal’s move from San Diego to South Carolina
Shannon’s move from San Diego to Virginia
Nikki’s move from Los Angeles to San Diego (article in progress)
By Plane
Traveling by plane with pets has changed so much over the years, and every airline is different. The best option for traveling by plane would be airlines that allow you to bring your rabbit(s) in cabin with you. This way you can monitor your rabbit(s) and the environment they are in, but some airlines only allow rabbits to travel in cargo. Many airline policies only allow trained service animals to travel in the cabin per ADA policy, which only includes dogs and miniature horses. Exotic animals and emotional support animals (ESA) are not included, so unfortunately, these policies typically exclude rabbits.
Airlines that do allow pets to be brought onboard typically charge additional pet fare on top of your boarding ticket and the airline must be informed ahead of time. The carrier housing your rabbit(s) must also be small enough to fit under the seat. Before booking a flight, ensure the airline first allows rabbits onboard.
To read a firsthand experience for traveling by plane, we have multiple accounts of moving with rabbits:
Christine’s move from Sacramento to San Diego
Leigh-Anne’s move from United States to Canada
By Pet Moving Services
If bringing your rabbit with you in a car or plane is not possible, research pet moving services. A quick web search now pulls up multiple companies that can assist with transporting pets out of state and even out of country. Try searching for “pet moving company” or “pet moving service.” Some questions to ask in your research on these websites or a customer service representative include:
Have they successfully assisted moves with rabbits before?
Have they successfully assisted moves with senior rabbits and/or rabbits with medical needs?
What travel conditions will they be providing your rabbit?
What route will your rabbit be traveling?
How will they coordinate arrival time to your destination with your travel and arrival?
What measures do they have in place in case a rabbit goes into GI stasis or experiences a medical emergency?
How will they handle and address other complications that may arise for the transport?
Will they handle the documentation necessary for the travel of your rabbit(s)?
To read a firsthand experience using a pet moving service, we have multiple accounts of moving with rabbits:
Marisol’s move from California to Germany (article in progress)
Mitzi’s move from California to Wisconsin (article in progress)
Other Options
If you are moving temporarily and anticipate being back in your original location, consider the duration of your relocation. For shorter term or temporary moves, it may be possible to:
Board your rabbit with a boarding service or pet sitter until you are back in town. To read through recommendations for screening for a credible caretaker, check out our related article here.
Work with friends or families to arrange for care of your rabbit(s) until you are back in town.
Wishing Safe Travels
As you can see, moving with rabbits may pose challenges, but can and has been accomplished by many families. One family even successfully moved with not only two rabbits, but a tank full of fish! We hope with this article and accompanying blog posts, moving feels more approachable with your furry companions.
