Whether you’re a frequent traveler or if you only take your bunny with you for the occasional vet visit or bunny-sitting, you need a proper rabbit carrier.
Rabbits are much safer when they’re in a carrier during car transportation since they’re less likely to be flung around in the car and injure themselves or fellow passengers. Also, you’re not going to carry your bunny on your shoulders when you’re out and about, are you now?
Let’s take a look at how to find the best rabbit carrier and the top products available.
The best rabbit carriers for 2021 include:
What To Look For In the Best Rabbit Carrier
Here are some features to consider that will keep your bunny safe and comfortable during transport in their carrier. Remember that there isn’t a magical product that fits all rabbits, however, and you need to choose a carrier that your furry friend feels comfortable in.
Material
In terms of hard carriers, you shouldn’t go for a plastic carrier since your rabbit is likely to break through the flimsy walls and not be safely restrained within the carrier.
Instead, choose sturdier materials such as stainless steel, which is corrosion-resistant and won’t break as easily if you experience a car accident. They should also be chew-proof so you’ll be safer going for metal carriers than those made of wood.
For soft carriers, any material that’s waterproof is a great choice. Breathable mesh fabric should also be included to keep your rabbit cool at all times.
Size
As with rabbit cages or hutches, the size of your bunny carrier depends on the size of your bunny. Your furry friend needs to be able to both sit up and lay down comfortably and shouldn’t feel cramped. If you have a baby rabbit, consider its full-grown size so you won’t have to buy a new carrier 6 months from now.
However, the carrier shouldn’t be too big either to prevent your rabbit from being tossed around inside the carrier if you happen to brake suddenly in your vehicle. So the perfect size is slightly larger than the length and width of their body.
Portability
Since you’ll be carrying your rabbit carrier, it needs to be lightweight. In terms of weight, go for those that weigh less than 5 pounds, so you can carry it easily.
Also worth considering is how sturdy the handle is and if it’s comfortable to hold. If you have a larger bunny and need a larger cage, you might want to invest in a carrier with straps or wheels as well to make it more portable. The best rabbit carrier might also have both handles and a shoulder strap so you can choose how to carry your pet.
If you want to bring your rabbit on a flight, also make sure that the carrier fits in your hand luggage. The International Air Transportation Association states that the maximum carry-on baggage size should be 22 by 18 by 10 inches.
Ventilation
Just like us humans, rabbits need to be able to breathe properly at all times. Therefore, the carrier should have ventilation holes and perhaps doors with bars that allow air to flow freely. For soft carriers, look for those with breathable mesh windows.
Access Points
To make it easier for you to remove your rabbit from the carrier, consider getting one with a large door or even several different access points so you can reach your bunny at all angles.
Make sure that the carrier is easy for your rabbit to enter and exit by themselves as well since this is the best way of getting your pet into the carrier. Those that come with access ramps or similar make it easier for your rabbit to do this.
Easy to Clean
When you’re traveling with your pet, you’re likely to encounter different environments and potentially harmful germs and bacteria. For this reason, you need to clean your carrier regularly. Therefore, carriers that come apart are a good investment since they’re easier to clean. The material should also be waterproof, and some owners put puppy potty training pads on the bottom for easy cleaning.
Also, poop and hay from the carrier shouldn’t spill over onto the floor or your car either. To prevent this, get a carrier that prevents spilling with a high edge or similar.
Comfort
Finally, your bunny should stay comfortable inside its carrier. Therefore, the flooring should be smooth and soft so their feet won’t hurt during long trips. Also make sure that there are no sharp edges or nails popping out so your bunny won’t get injured while staying inside the carrier.
Reviews of the Best Rabbit Carriers for 2021
Now let’s continue with the fun part: our product reviews!
Our Overview
The Henkelion Pet Carrier comes with an adjustable and padded shoulder strap which makes it easy to carry. The loop handles offer a balanced way to hold it, and you have the option of how to carry it. It’s also airline-approved, so you can bring your pet with you even on longer trips.
Other features of this rabbit carrier include a safety leash so you can secure your bunny on the inside of the carrier as well as a comfortable wool mat on top of a wooden board. The carrier is also breathable with its mesh windows and is durable at the same time due to the anti-scratch surface of the fabric.
Customers love the premium zippers that are sturdy and not prone to breaking. They also like the roof opening, making it easy to access your rabbit from all sides of the carrier and even comfort it during your travels.
However, some users state that it’s hard to clean, as all the components aren’t entirely machine-washable. The wool mat tends to lose its comfiness after being watered down as well. It reportedly also has a strong chemical plastic smell straight out of the box.
Pros:
- Padded and adjustable shoulder strap.
- Airline approved.
- Safety leash inside the carrier.
- A comfortable wool mat for your rabbit’s feet.
- Great-quality zippers.
- Large roof door.
Cons:
- Difficult to clean.
- It has a chemical smell when first used.
Our Overview
For those looking for a hard-sided carrier that you can keep your rabbit in without holding on to it, the MidWest Homes for Pets product is a great choice. It’s available in three colors and has several ventilation holes that provide airflow and visibility for your rabbit.
In terms of materials, this carrier consists of plastic which is easy to clean, and you can simply wipe off any dirt from it. However, it’s not the safest material for a car ride since your bunny might break through the walls in a car crash.
That being said, customers love how easy to assemble this carrier is since it requires no tools and simply “snaps” into place. At 2.14 pounds, it’s also very lightweight and easy to carry around. Finally, users like that this carrier folds up and is stackable when not in use.
Less popular among buyers is the door design that you have to pop off completely. It’s not a swinging door, and it isn’t possible to open up the carrier just a little bit, which is a con.
Pros:
- Three colors are available.
- Several ventilation holes.
- Easy to clean.
- Easy to put together.
- Lightweight and portable.
Cons:
- Plastic isn’t the safest material.
- Poor door design.
Our Overview
In terms of a comfortable bed for your bunny, the morpilot Pet Travel Carrier Bag takes the prize, in our opinion. It reportedly has a soft and fluffy fabric that’s also removable for easy cleaning. In fact, the bedding is also washing machine-friendly, and the whole bag is waterproof.
Another pro with this carrier bag is the included foldable blue bowl you can use to feed or hydrate your rabbit and then easily fold it flat for storage. This carrier further comes with both handles and shoulder straps that are adjustable and padded for your comfort. It also gives your bunny lots of airflow with breathable mesh windows.
This travel carrier is appropriate for animals up to 15 pounds, which is a great fit for most average-sized rabbits. According to customers, it’s also scratch-proof. They also like that it comes with a safety strap that you can attach to your bunny as well as that it opens both in the front and on the top.
However, there is no wooden plate or similar underneath the bed, meaning that it’s not very rigid and tends to sag. Also, while morpilot advertises this product as airline-friendly, several users report that it’s too big to fit under your seat.
Pros:
- Comfortable, soft, and fluffy bed.
- Waterproof bag and washing machine-friendly bed.
- Includes a foldable feeding bowl.
- Comes with adjustable shoulder straps and handles.
- Scratch-proof inside.
- Two large doors.
Cons:
- The carrier tends to sag.
- Reportedly too big for an airplane.
Our Overview
If you’re looking for a cheaper rabbit carrier, we recommend this affordable soft-sided bag. It’s available in four colors and is a bit smaller than other carriers on our list, making it a great fit for smaller rabbits. This also makes it very lightweight, at just 1.32 pounds.
According to users, the ZaneSun carrier is sturdy and won’t sag around your rabbit. The bottom won’t sink either. It’s also small enough to use on airplanes, making it very travel-friendly.
Some other features of this carrier are the side pocket that can be used to store food or toys for your rabbit, as well as the removable bed for easy cleaning. Also, note that the fabric is waterproof. Another pro is that the ZaneSun carrier comes with both handles and straps, so you can choose how you want to carry your bunny around.
As for cons, the bed isn’t very comfortable since it’s not cushioned. Another minus is that the zipper is flimsy, which can result in the carrier opening up during transport. Also reported is that the material in general seems to be rather cheap.
Pros:
- Affordable.
- Super lightweight.
- A sturdy bag that doesn’t sag.
- Airline-friendly.
- Side pocket for extra storage.
- Comes with both shoulder straps and handles.
Cons:
- Not the softest bed.
- Flimsy zipper that tends to come undone.
- Cheap materials.
Our Overview
The Henkelion Bubble Bag is both stylish and functional, plus it gives your rabbit a huge window to look through. The space capsule backpack is also easy to carry since it comes with two padded straps, and you can transport your rabbit on your back. In terms of colors, the bubble bag is available in six different designs.
This carrier gives your rabbit room to breathe through the nine air holes that are located on different sides of the backpack. Included are also a pet leash for your bunny’s increased safety, as well as a removable fleece pad that gives cushioning to your rabbit. Take it out, and it’s easy to clean as well.
Another pro, according to buyers, is the side pocket that allows you to interact with your pet without opening the whole carrier.
Note that this is one of the heavier carriers on our list, weighing a total of 10 pounds. The zipper is further flimsy and prone to breaking, according to customers. Finally, the bed fabric tends to slip around inside the carrier, which can cause your bunny to move around inside the bag.
Pros:
- Beautiful design that gives your rabbit a wide field of view.
- Padded straps and backpack design is easy to carry.
- Nine air holes for ventilation.
- Includes a safety leash.
- The bed is removable.
- Pocket allows for interaction with your rabbit.
Cons:
- Rather heavy.
- Flimsy zippers.
- The bed fabric slips around, causing your pet to slide.
Our Overview
Finally, we have the YUDODO Pet Sling Carrier that comes in a sling bag design that allows you to carry your rabbit hands-free across your shoulder. The bag comes with a padded, adjustable strap so the carrier can feel comfortable on all body types. This sling bag is also the lightest on our list, weighing only 0.62 pounds, so you can keep it around your shoulders for a long time.
Other features of the Pet Sling Carrier include a neck pocket where you can store your phone, keys, or other belongings, as well as a leash inside the bag to further keep your rabbit safe.
In terms of material, the bottom is waterproof, while the top is breathable mesh, so your bunny will stay cool and get plenty of air. According to customers, the bag is also very sturdy, and the material seems to be of good quality.
But some users feel that the strap is too long even at its shortest length and that their pet keeps bumping on their pelvis. It doesn’t have the softest bed either, so it’s not ideal for carrying your bunny in for a long time. The drawstring design that goes around your rabbit’s neck isn’t ideal either since some bunnies tend to chew on the string.
Pros:
- Hands-free carrying bag.
- Padded straps that feel comfortable.
- Very lightweight.
- Neck pocket for storage.
- Leash to keep your rabbit safe.
- Waterproof and breathable fabric.
Cons:
- The strap is long.
- The bed isn’t very soft.
- Drawstring is easy for rabbits to chew off.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Big Should a Rabbit Carrier Be?
The carrier you choose to transport your rabbit needs to be big enough for them to move around but not overly spacious. Make sure your rabbit is able to lie down and stretch, but also gets comfort from the carrier.
Can You Put 2 Rabbits in the Same Carrier?
If you have two rabbits that live in a pair, it’s often best to take them out together to avoid distressing them. If one needs to see the vet, for example, take them both to keep each other company in the carrier and provide comfort to one another.
Summing Up: The Best Rabbit Carrier in 2021 Is…
Now you know that the best rabbit carrier is safe, lightweight, and breathable. It should also be comfortable both for you and your bunny.
In our eyes, the product that lives up to this criteria the best is the Henkelion Pet Carrier. It has adjustable and padded straps and comes with a comfortable wool mat for your rabbit’s feet and a leash for their safety. It’s also lightweight, airline-approved, and has a large roof opening so you can access your bunny easily.
If you want a more budget-friendly alternative, we recommend the ZaneSun Soft-Sided Pet Travel Carrier instead. It’s also very light, sturdy, and comes with both handles and straps so you can choose how to carry your pet.
But which is the best rabbit carrier of 2021 according to you?
