Taking rabbit to the vet for the first time - how to make it not stressful for him?

feelinggood_2

Rabbit has to have his Jab on monday. Its the first time he has been to the Vet while being my Bunny, and I wondered how to make it as unstressful as possible for him.

He is used to going in his basket - its used for getting him up the end of the garden to the run (its split level so its safer to have him in a basket).

Should I give him something to munch on while he is in there?

What do I line the basket with? Usually he just goes in it, with nothing (its a cat basket), but as he'll be in it for longer and possibly nervous, should I put his litter tray in there?

When he usually goes in the car, he just sleeps in the dark bit of his travel cage. Does that mean he prefers it dark while travelling? Should I put a blanket over him so its dark?

ClareEmily

Bunnies hate to travel, and mine won't eat anything while we are moving.

We line the pet carrier with newspaper and lots of hay and yes we cover with a towel so dark, because the light moving through the slats stresses her.

If we arrive early we wait until the last moment in the car, because of the noise of dogs and children in the waiting area, and it normally echos like hell.

Good luck sure your bunny will be fine.

Clare x

picklepick

i used to put a little fleecy blanket in with my rabbit when we transported him. it helped him to not slide about on the plastic base of his basket. then if he had a little accident in there whilst travelling we could just pop it in the wash when we got home. he only did on one occasion though. we had one of those proper plastic crates so it was pretty dark in their anyway. is yours more like a metal basket, quite open? id probably put a blanket over in that case.

feelinggood_2

picklepick wrote: »

i used to put a little fleecy blanket in with my rabbit when we transported him. it helped him to not slide about on the plastic base of his basket. then if he had a little accident in there whilst travelling we could just pop it in the wash when we got home. he only did on one occasion though. we had one of those proper plastic crates so it was pretty dark in their anyway. is yours more like a metal basket, quite open? id probably put a blanket over in that case.

Its a wicker type one, with a metal cage front type thing. That lets in a lot of light, so I'll put a blanket over it. Need to dig out a chewable blanket now!

BreakinEven

just be ready to catch when he gets the jab, mine always manages to slip the vet and jump on my chest/shoulder for protection. Think next time I'll hold her myself.

clutterydrawer

Noy all buns hate travelling. Put a blanket in though, ideally one that smells of his cage. a towel over to make it dark would be good too. i usually give mine a little snack afterwards - an inch of broccoli or similar - in the hope that they will learn to associate vet trips with free veg. no idea if it works but they dont seem too upset!

good luck