⚠️ GI Stasis is the silent emergency that kills evacuated rabbits
A rabbit that stops eating, produces no droppings, or sits hunched and still is likely entering GI stasis. This is a veterinary emergency triggered by stress alone — no illness required. During evacuation, check droppings and food intake every 4–6 hours. No droppings in 12 hours means call a vet immediately. No eating in 12 hours means call a vet immediately.
Food — Hay Is Not Optional, Ever
Hay must make up 80% of a rabbit's diet and must be available constantly. It is what keeps the gut moving. It is the difference between a rabbit who survives displacement and one who does not.
- Timothy or orchard grass hay — 7-day supply, vacuum-compressed — 2–3 lbs per rabbit per week. Compress into vacuum bag for transport. Always accessible in carrier.Constant access
- Pellets — 7-day supply, current brand, pre-portioned — ¼ cup per 5 lbs of body weight daily. Same brand, same smell. Pre-measured daily portions.Daily
- Oxbow Critical Care — 1 bag, fine grind — If your rabbit stops eating, this is what saves them. Mix with water and syringe-feed. Buy it before you need it.Emergency only
- Filtered or bottled water — fresh twice daily — 50–100ml per kg body weight daily. Dehydration accelerates GI stasis dramatically.Twice daily
- No fresh vegetables during first 48 hours of stress — Fresh produce causes diarrhea during high-stress periods. Diarrhea causes dehydration. Hay and pellets only until settled.Important rule
- Dried chamomile and dried mint — small pouch — Natural gut motility supporters. Mix into hay as a familiar treat. Also mildly calming.Daily
Carrier & Living Space
- Hard-sided ventilated carrier — den-like enclosure — More enclosed and den-like than wire carriers. The sense of being hidden is deeply calming for rabbits.Every trip
- Familiar bedding — scooped directly from home enclosure — Their own smell in an unfamiliar carrier is the single most effective stress reducer available.Always
- Hiding box inside carrier — cardboard open on one side — A rabbit who can hide is a rabbit who is calming down. Do not remove the hiding box. It is not optional.Always
- Daily free time — 30 min minimum in secured space — A rabbit confined continuously for 5 days will develop stress behaviors and GI issues. Hotel bathroom, secured. Twice daily minimum.Daily
- Exercise pen 24-inch folding — Set up in hotel bathroom for safe free-roam time. Compact, light, packs flat.Daily
Temperature — Rabbits Overheat Rapidly and Cannot Pant
- Target: 60–72°F. Never above 85°F. — Rabbits cannot pant. Above 85°F heat stroke begins within 30–60 minutes. Never in a parked car.Critical constant
- 2 frozen water bottles — place adjacent to carrier — Most effective cooling method for rabbits. Not touching the rabbit — next to the carrier.Hot conditions
- 2 ceramic tiles — chilled in hotel freezer — Rabbits naturally seek cool surfaces. Place inside carrier. Replace when warm.Hot conditions
- USB fan — indirect airflow, never directly on rabbit — Gentle indirect circulation combined with chilled surfaces provides effective cooling.Hot conditions
Health & Emergency
- Simethicone infant gas drops — 1 bottle — 0.5–1ml at first sign of GI stasis helps relieve gas. Confirm dosing with your vet in advance.First response
- Rabbit first aid kit — gauze, vet wrap, saline — Hard surfaces cause sore hocks. Monitor and treat promptly.Daily check
- Avian and exotic vet contact along route — Rabbit-knowledgeable vets are not universal. Identify one before storm season.Documentation
- Recent clear photo — full body — Color and marking detail for identification.Emergency
Essential Products — Amazon Prime
💊
Oxbow Critical Care — Fine Grind
💡 If your rabbit stops eating during displacement, this is what saves them. Buy it now.
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🌾
Compressed Timothy Hay 5 lb
💡 80% of diet. Constant access required. Vacuum-compressed for go bag transport.
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🏠
Hard-Sided Ventilated Rabbit Carrier
💡 Den-like enclosure. More calming than open wire. Secure top. Carry handle.
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❄️
Ceramic Tiles — Cooling Pair
💡 Chill in hotel freezer. Rabbits seek cool surfaces instinctively. Prevents heat stroke.
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💊
Simethicone Gas Drops — Infant
💡 First response for early GI stasis. 0.5–1ml dosing — confirm with your vet in advance.
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🔲
Folding Exercise Pen 24"
💡 Daily free roam in hotel bathroom. Prevents stress behaviors from confinement.
Shop on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my rabbit is entering GI stasis during evacuation?
Warning signs in order of urgency: fewer or no droppings, smaller or misshapen droppings, not eating hay (the critical warning), hunched posture, teeth grinding, reluctance to move, distended or hard belly. Any single sign warrants veterinary contact within hours. Do not wait and see with rabbits — they deteriorate faster than almost any other common pet.
Can my rabbit be in the same vehicle as my cat or dog?
Yes, but only if the rabbit cannot see or smell the predator. The stress response from smelling a predator — even a friendly one — is enough to trigger GI stasis in a rabbit. Use a carrier cover and place the rabbit carrier in a separate section of the vehicle. The rabbit must not be aware of the predator's presence.
What does a rabbit eat if I run out of hay during displacement?
Emergency hay alternatives in order of preference: fresh leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, kale, or dandelion greens from a grocery store (introduce slowly, small amounts); dried herbs such as chamomile, mint, or rosemary; Oxbow Critical Care mixed with water. A rabbit who has consumed no fiber for more than 12 hours needs veterinary attention regardless of what other food they have eaten.