good carrier recommendations??

[Arloismybunny]

the carrier I’m currently using is bad. It’s small and a soft fabric. Although my rabbit doesn’t go in the carrier a lot I do know that he needs a better safe one. I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations? The ones I saw online all had bad reviews :/

 

[John Wick]

Hard-sided and advertised for dogs/cats will get you more secure carriers. This is fine for most small-to-medium single rabbits: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062JFGKW

For larger rabbits or bonded pairs, I recommend this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062JFGFC

 

[SableSteel]

I definitely recommend a wire carrier with a wire floor like this one from KW cages: 16 x 8 x 10 Transport Cage, 1 Compartment
The wire floor helps them keep good traction so they dont slide around and they open from the top so its super easy to get rabbits in and out of them. I like the wire because it helps with air flow but you can also put a towel around it if you want it to be darker or more sheltered. As a somebody who shows rabbits, I travel with them all the time (just spent 8 hours travelling with rabbits last weekend), and this is the only style of carrier that I would use.

 

[catneedham1994]

I like the Petmate two door top load cat and dog carriers I got the medium size for my bonded trio of Holland Lops they're very secure and safe you can buckle them in the car as well and I also love the Petmate kennel cab carriers PETMATE Two Door Top Load Dog & Cat Kennel, Medium, Tan - Chewy.com it really well made.

 

[Ryes]

I definitely recommend a wire carrier with a wire floor like this one from KW cages: 16 x 8 x 10 Transport Cage, 1 Compartment
The wire floor helps them keep good traction so they dont slide around and they open from the top so its super easy to get rabbits in and out of them. I like the wire because it helps with air flow but you can also put a towel around it if you want it to be darker or more sheltered. As a somebody who shows rabbits, I travel with them all the time (just spent 8 hours travelling with rabbits last weekend), and this is the only style of carrier that I would use.View attachment 61864

@SableSteel what size transport cage would you recommend for two bonded mini lops? This would be for a 7-8 hour trip a couple of times a year.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

Each time we take our bondeds or smaller-size singles, or large buns, to the DVM, the hard-sided carrier with plenty of room for a litter pan in back, and soft towel for their feetsies, worked well. Similar to the links @John Wick and @catneedham1994 provided.

I also bring along a stuffie pal, a jingle toy or two, and a roll-towel tube stuffed with hay. I agree that a soft carrier can be challenging if you have chewers, and the soft carrier is a bit small for an extended stay.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

The hard-sided carriers to provide security and comfort come in various sizes. Yes, some bun guardians mention a top-loading carrier is perfect for their companion especially if your bun is unfamiliar with being picked up and handled.

Often rescues or alternate rabbit-focused forums have a plentiful amount of unused carriers from surrendered rabbits people no longer wanted. Just in case you do not want to buy brand new?

This hard-sided carrier was designed for a medium size dog, and the handle was very sturdy. At the DVM office the buns are comforted when larger rowdy canines start to sniff and approach the carrier. There is plenty of room for two or three buns in such a unit, and a larger pet to recline.

Many times we traveled to the DVM with our bondeds sharing one unit, with a towel for their feet, litter pan in back, etc.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

I always provide a soft towel, litter box depending on length of trip, and toys, and hay.

 

[Ryes]

Each time we take our bondeds or smaller-size singles, or large buns, to the DVM, the hard-sided carrier with plenty of room for a litter pan in back, and soft towel for their feetsies, worked well. Similar to the links @John Wick and @catneedham1994 provided.

I also bring along a stuffie pal, a jingle toy or two, and a roll-towel tube stuffed with hay. I agree that a soft carrier can be challenging if you have chewers, and the soft carrier is a bit small for an extended stay.

We will be getting one the size that you, @John Wick, and @catneedham1994 mentioned. But is this big enough for a 7-8 hour road trip? We do this a couple of times a year and want to make sure they have enough room. Also, what about exercise stops on a long trip? How often?

 

[Blue eyes]

We will be getting one the size that you, @John Wick, and @catneedham1994 mentioned. But is this big enough for a 7-8 hour road trip? We do this a couple of times a year and want to make sure they have enough room. Also, what about exercise stops on a long trip? How often?

Those carriers are the same size I use (and mentioned in your other thread regarding travel). We used it for a 6 hour trip to California. They don't need more room and will feel more secure snuggled together. If they get comfortable enough while traveling to munch on some hay in the carrier, then they are doing quite well. They do not need any exercise stops. That just adds to their stress (and also risks a roadside escape).

The least stressful for them is to do the trip in one shot without stops. Of course we had to have our own potty stops and used those to see how the rabbits were doing. We would put a water bottle on the cage door and have a couple handfuls of hay in there as well. Some like to keep some wet greens in a cooler that they can offer the rabbits when they make a pitstop. With shorter trips, rabbits seldom seem to be interested in eating. On longer trips, as they get settled into the routine and hum of the engine, they may relax enough to munch on some hay.

Once they are settled at their destination, they'll have plenty of opportunity to explore and exercise.

 

[Ryes]

Those carriers are the same size I use (and mentioned in your other thread regarding travel). We used it for a 6 hour trip to California. They don't need more room and will feel more secure snuggled together. If they get comfortable enough while traveling to munch on some hay in the carrier, then they are doing quite well. They do not need any exercise stops. That just adds to their stress (and also risks a roadside escape).

The least stressful for them is to do the trip in one shot without stops. Of course we had to have our own potty stops and used those to see how the rabbits were doing. We would put a water bottle on the cage door and have a couple handfuls of hay in there as well. Some like to keep some wet greens in a cooler that they can offer the rabbits when they make a pitstop. With shorter trips, rabbits seldom seem to be interested in eating. On longer trips, as they get settled into the routine and hum of the engine, they may relax enough to munch on some hay.

Once they are settled at their destination, they'll have plenty of opportunity to explore and exercise.

I'm glad to hear we will be able to use the same carrier for long trips; and thanks for addressing trip stops. For longer trips, will they just switch out using the small litter box at the back or should we expect to be cleaning up a mess during or after a long trip? Also, if we use bowls for feed and water at home, will they have any trouble using a water bottle and hanging feeder on the long trips?

 

[Blue eyes]

I'm glad to hear we will be able to use the same carrier for long trips; and thanks for addressing trip stops. For longer trips, will they just switch out using the small litter box at the back or should we expect to be cleaning up a mess during or after a long trip? Also, if we use bowls for feed and water at home, will they have any trouble using a water bottle and hanging feeder on the long trips?

I've handled potty issues a couple different ways when traveling. I would put a folded towel in the bottom of the carrier for traction and comfort. Sometimes I would have the folded towel cover the entire bottom except for the back 5" and would put wood pellet litter down in that back 5" area. Other times I would just use the towel and know I'd be cleaning that at the end of the trip. Since the towel is folded (full bath size towel), it can absorb quite a bit. I chose to not use a designated litter box in the carrier so as not to divide the limited space.

That absorption would also come in handy for when I would put a small water bowl down (and I mean small). I did that since I wasn't confident they would drink from the water bottle. If that little bit spilled, it wouldn't soak the towel. I can't confirm they ever drank anything during the course of the trip. They would munch on hay. If they are willing to eat wet greens, that's one alternate way to ensure they are getting some water.