Best type of carrier for rabbit transport
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Rabbits
are easily stressed and their transport represents a challenge. Allergens,
sunlight, car lights, noise, hot or cold temperatures, and being subjected to
visual observation by people or other animals could potentially stress a
rabbit in a carrier. The carrier used for transporting should, thus, be
sturdy so as to protect the animal from exposure to the environment as much
as possible and prevent escape. The
carrier should, furthermore, have a solid bottom, with no grid or holes that
can cause injury. Nylon or cloth pet carriers, as well
as cardboard boxes, must be avoided since a rabbit can easily make holes in
these materials. A rabbit that has escaped from the carrier in a car can lead
to extremely dangerous situations. The rabbit can startle the driver by
jumping onto his or her lap, thereby distracting the driver's attention and
concentration away from the road, or the driver may need to locate the rabbit
in the vehicle, all potential causes of accidents. A free roaming rabbit in a
car can, moreover, be propelled through the windshield during a sudden
unexpected stop.
Adar,
a Flemish giant rabbit travelling by train Never take chances !!! A rabbit should travel
in a sturdy carrier that ensures a safe environment. The waiting room at the veterinary clinic
is a further source of stress for the rabbit. When removed from the safe
environment of its carrier, it may panic, bite, and scratch in an attempt to
escape The carrier of choice has a front
opening and a top opening:
Duncan
The top opening is convenient for
checking on the rabbit, petting, feeding, or giving fresh drinking water
during a stop. The rabbit cannot get out and escape as easily as through the
front. If the rabbit reaches up to the top opening, it can be gently pushed
down in the carrier.
A top opening is, furthermore, useful during a visit to the
veterinarian. Rabbits tend to crawl into the back of their carrier when the
surroundings are not familiar or when they hear strange noises or smell
unusual odors. When approached from the front, they respond with aggression,
biting and scratching the hands of the owner or veterinarian, thereby making
it difficult to be removed from the carrier. When a rabbit sees hands
approaching through the top opening, it has a tendency to crouch downward.
Usually the rabbit can be picked up through the top opening without much
trouble, with a firm hold to prevent escape, and support of the lower spine
region and hips to prevent fracture. Care must, nevertheless, be taken that
the rabbit does not charge out or escape through the top opening. Usually, the rabbit can be picked up through the top opening without much trouble, with a firm hold to avoid escape, and support of the lower spine region and hip of the rabbit to avoid fracture.
For safe carrying methods of a rabbit,
see: “Safe carrying of a rabbit”
Padding of the transport carrier
Ventilation of the transport carrier
Size of a carrier Aside price and quality, the choice of carrier depends on the size and number of rabbits that will travel in it. It should not be oversized nor overcrowded. The carrier should provide comfort and allow lying down and stretching out.
Different carriers used to transport one to two rabbits: ·
The smallest (left, 27*43
cm / 10.6*17.2’’, 30 cm / 12’’ high) can transport two dwarf rabbits or one
small sized rabbit. ·
A mid-sized carrier
(30*46 cm / 11.8*18.1’’, 36 cm / 14.1’’ high) can be used for one giant breed
or two medium sized rabbits. ·
The folding carrier
(right, 46*54 cm / 18.1*21.3’’, 35 cm / 13.8’’ high) was used to transport a
giant Flemish giant and a medium sized rabbit. |
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A big special thanks to Duncan for his help
and demonstration of his transport carrier.
Thank also to little Stampi and giant Adar.
Thanks to B. Salt and T. Saarony for their contribution.
e-mail: info@medirabbit.com
