Traveling with rabbits: carriers, car trips and leaving them with a sitter
A vacation, a move, a vet appointment… Rabbit owners always end up asking the same question: How will I take my rabbit, and should I take it at all? The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) is clear: rabbits are prey animals and don't enjoy traveling in a car; only take your rabbit on journeys that are truly necessary. The RSPCA also recommends not taking cats, rabbits and small animals that aren't used to traveling and new places on vacation, because the experience is likely to be too stressful for them. In this article, we cover both situations: when you have to hit the road, and when you leave your rabbit behind while you're away.
- No trips unless necessary: According to the RWAF and the RSPCA, rabbits should only be transported when it's truly necessary.
- Let them stay home on vacation: The RSPCA recommends finding someone to care for your rabbits in their own home, where things are familiar.
- A sturdy carrier: One your rabbit can't chew through or escape from, well ventilated, opening from both the top and the front; no cardboard boxes (RSPCA).
- Together with a companion: Bonded rabbits should travel together (RWAF, RSPCA).
- In the car: Secured with a seat belt, out of the sun, never in the trunk. According to the RWAF, around 18–22 °C (64–72 °F) inside the vehicle is ideal.
- Information for the sitter: Daily routine, food, health information, your vet and an emergency contact (RSPCA).
First ask: Is this trip necessary?
According to the RSPCA, rabbits find traveling stressful, so they should only be transported if it's absolutely necessary. If you can, choose a vet or boarding place close to home so a long journey isn't needed. The RWAF also recommends keeping journeys short and choosing a rabbit-savvy practice near you. For trips you can't avoid, such as a vet visit, a little preparation makes things much easier.
The right carrier
- Sturdy and airy: According to the RSPCA, the carrier should be sturdy, non-collapsible, well ventilated and built so your rabbit can't chew through it or escape. Cardboard boxes aren't suitable; rabbits can chew through cardboard.
- Size: According to the RSPCA, your rabbit should be able to lie comfortably in any direction and turn around easily inside. According to the RWAF, rabbits prefer a small, secure space for traveling, so don't pick a carrier that's too big either.
- Opens from the top, too: The RSPCA recommends a carrier that opens from both the top and the front. According to the RWAF, a top-opening carrier lets you lift your rabbit out easily without its legs splaying and getting caught.
- Non-slip floor: Line the floor with newspaper or a towel and add hay on top (RSPCA, RWAF).
- Familiar smells, a place to hide: The RSPCA recommends putting familiar-smelling toys from home or a handful of unsoiled bedding in the carrier. Add a small cardboard box or tunnel so your rabbit can hide; if there's no room, cover part of the carrier with a blanket or towel.
Get your rabbit used to the carrier ahead of time
Don't bring the carrier out only on vet day. According to the RSPCA, put the carrier in your rabbit's living space ahead of time with the door open, and tempt your rabbit inside with a healthy snack or some greens. The RWAF recommends doing this a few days before the trip and putting its favorite foods or treats inside. A step-by-step method for reward-based training: rabbit training.
Before you set off
- A full tummy: The RWAF recommends feeding your rabbit well before the journey, offering its favorite herbs or greens just before you leave, and putting some in the carrier too. There should be hay or grass in the carrier.
- Water: According to the RSPCA, your rabbit needs constant access to fresh, clean water; there are non-spill travel bottles and bowls. The RWAF, however, warns against non-drip bottles on longer journeys: if the vehicle stops suddenly, your rabbit could be injured by the spout, especially in the eyes. The RWAF's advice: offer leafy greens on the way and water at stops.
- Bring the companion too: According to the RWAF, always take two rabbits that live together to the vet together. That way, the rabbit being examined is less stressed and doesn't come home smelling different, which could cause a fight.
- Partly cover the carrier: According to the RSPCA, this helps your rabbit feel secure, especially when it's very bright or when headlights shine at night. Make sure there's still good ventilation.
In the car
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Strap the carrier in with a seat belt or secure it in the footwell behind a seat (RSPCA) | Don't put the carrier in the trunk of a sedan; there's no light and little air there (RSPCA) |
| Keep the car cool and well ventilated; according to the RWAF, around 18–22 °C (64–72 °F) is ideal | Don't put the carrier in direct sunlight, and don't travel during the hottest part of the day (RSPCA) |
| Keep the noise down and check on your rabbits regularly (RSPCA) | Don't transport them at the same time as other animals such as dogs; according to the RWAF, rabbits shouldn't see, smell or hear predators |
| On long trips, stop often and offer food and water (RWAF) | Don't leave your rabbit in the car on a warm day (RSPCA) |
We've covered why hot weather is so dangerous for rabbits separately: rabbits in hot weather.
According to the RSPCA, keep an eye on your rabbit's eating, drinking and toileting on a long journey. If you notice any change, talk to your vet without delay. If your rabbit is pregnant, talk to your vet before traveling, too (RSPCA).
Going on vacation: being cared for at home is best
According to the RSPCA, if you're going away, try to find someone who can look after your rabbits in your own home, because it's familiar to them. According to the RSPCA's pet sitting guide, the best option is a friend or family member. If that isn't possible, a pet sitter who stays in your home, or failing that a small animal boarder, can be considered. Arranging care can take time, so plan ahead. The RSPCA's rule is clear: never leave your pet on its own without a responsible person to care for it.
- Meet the sitter first: The RSPCA recommends meeting the sitter beforehand, checking their references and asking whether they have insurance that covers your pet in an emergency.
- Introductory visits: According to the RSPCA, introductory sessions before you leave help your pet settle in with its new carer.
- If you need a boarder: The RSPCA recommends visiting first. Is the place clean, dry, draft-free, secure and shaded? Are predator and prey species kept apart? Do they ask for proof of vaccination? Are there enough staff for the number of animals? If they won't answer your questions or you're not happy, keep looking.
- Keep pairs together: According to the RSPCA, pairs or groups of rabbits should stay together at a boarder; take familiar items such as their toys, too.
The RSPCA recommends leaving the sitter this information:
| Leave the sitter | Details |
|---|---|
| Daily routine | Your rabbit's usual routine and why it's important to stick to it as much as possible |
| Food and treats | Its usual food and how to feed it; if fresh food is needed, where to buy it |
| Health information | If it takes any medication, when and how to give it, as your vet instructed |
| Behavior | Its personality and how to approach it |
| Exercise needs | When and how it gets exercise |
| Supplies | Litter trays, toys |
| Familiar smell | If your rabbit isn't staying at home, some used but unsoiled bedding |
| Contacts | Your vet's details (including the out-of-hours service) and an emergency number to reach you |
Tüylüm's Pet sitter note on the Today page gathers your rabbit's daily tasks, medications, vet details and emergency contact into a single message you can share through apps like WhatsApp. If you've saved your clinic in My vet, its details are ready in the note.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave my rabbit alone for a few days?
According to the RSPCA, you should never leave your pet on its own without a responsible person to care for it. The RSPCA wants rabbits' toilet areas cleaned every day, so a sitter needs to come by every day. Care in your rabbit's own home is usually best.
Only one of my rabbits needs to see the vet. Can I leave the other at home?
According to the RWAF, rabbits that live together should always go to the vet together. If one has to stay at the clinic, the RWAF recommends keeping both in, within sight and smell of each other; talk this over with your vet in advance. According to the RSPCA, being separated can cause stress and lead to problems when you put them back together later. If you need to reintroduce them: introducing two rabbits.
We're moving house. What should I keep in mind?
The RWAF recommends thinking about the water: water from different areas can taste different, and your rabbit may refuse the new water. Take some water from your old home and switch to the new water gradually over a few days or weeks. The RSPCA also recommends moving some used but unsoiled nesting material into the carrier and the new home.
Keep track of your pet's care in TüylümLog vet visits, vaccine and medication dates, and we'll remind you when it's time. Share it all with your family in Home.
Sources
- RSPCA · Taking your pet on holiday
- RSPCA · Transporting your rabbits
- Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund · How to transport your rabbits safely
- RSPCA · Pet sitting
- RSPCA · Creating a good home for rabbits
By Tüylüm · Published and last checked: October 28, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Write to [email protected] and we'll fix it right away. Photos are from Wikimedia Commons, used under the license shown below each photo.
