Surviving Bunny Vet Visits & Foot-Flicks of Doom
If you are a first-time rabbit parent, let me let you in on a little secret: nothing prepares you for the sheer, unadulterated drama of taking a bunny to the exotic vet.
When my husband, Rob, and I first brought home our dynamic duo, Pumpkin and Spice, we had absolutely no idea what we were doing. Back in the early days, Pumpkin was a wild little man (honestly, I thought he was the devil incarnate before he got neutered) and Spice was Little Miss Hormone, trying to hump literally everything in sight.
Flash forward through the spay/neuter era, and they’ve grown into total sweethearts. Pumpkin is now my little gentleman shadow, and Spice is a proud girly-girl who loves all things her (treats and cuddles, strictly on her terms). But put a vet clinic on the calendar? The drama returns in full force.
If you’re currently stressing over an upcoming check-up, here is the honest truth about rabbit vet visits, a few laughs from our own personal history, and the exact routine we use to make it through in one piece.
The “First-Time Bunny Parent” Vet Visit Panic is Real
Let’s travel back to Pumpkin’s neuter surgery. Rob and I were so profoundly stressed as first-time bunny parents that we actually rented a hotel room next to the veterinary clinic just to be close to him. We were terrified.
When we got to the hotel room the night before his surgery and opened his top-loading carrier, our brawny little king of the condo did something he had never done before: he practically climbed right into Rob’s arms. That was the exact moment we realized just how much these little creatures rely on us when their world gets turned upside down.
(Spoiler alert: Pumpkin handled the surgery like a total champ, and it completely changed his personality for the better!)
The Bunny Poker Face (Or Lack Thereof)
Some people say rabbits have unreadable faces. Those people have never looked a worried rabbit in the eyes.
When it’s time to head to the clinic, getting Pumpkin and Spice into their carriers isn’t actually the hard part. It’s the “poker face” that melts my heart. As soon as that door clicks shut, the wide eyes and worried little bunny grimaces start.
At our last routine check-up, Spice was so unimpressed with the whole situation that she literally tried to climb up the clinic’s exam room wall like a wild Spider Woman. Yes, maybe it was because she had to get on the scale. I don’t like others knowing how much I weigh either.
Our Travel Routine: Keeping Buns Safe and Hydrated
Through all the anxiety, we’ve realized a major truth: the vet visit is usually way more stressful for the bunny parent than the bunny.
Our Vet Visit Checklist
- The Backseat Copilot: Rob handles the driving, and I sit directly in the backseat right next to the carrier. This lets me monitor their breathing, give them gentle cheek or forehead rubs, talk softly, and simply be present to react instantly if they start panicking.
- The Bunny “Nervous Eating” Mix: We always pack the carrier with a fresh pile of Timothy hay and a sprinkle of rolled oats. During the car ride, they will mindlessly chew on the oats and hay. It’s the rabbit equivalent of stress-eating a bag of potato chips, and it works wonders for keeping their digestive systems moving.
- The Hydration Station: I never leave the house without a bottle of water and a small bowl for them. Rabbit GI tracts can shut down fast under stress, so keeping them hydrated is everything. Plus, exotic vet clinics are notoriously busy. If the wait in the lobby runs long, I want to make sure they have water accessible right then and there.
- A Scent of Home: I also make sure to tuck a small, familiar item into the carrier with them, like a little blanket or one of their favorite stuffed toys. Having something that smells like their safe space provides massive emotional comfort when the chaotic sights, sounds, and smells of the car or clinic start getting overwhelming for them.
Post-Vet Grudge (& Recovery)
The drama doesn’t end when you leave the clinic. Oh, no. Rabbits are masters of holding a grudge.
The second we get home and open the carrier doors, both Pumpkin and Spice will do a dramatic “burst away” sprint. They will literally flick their back feet at us—the ultimate bunny middle finger—find a corner, and turn their backs to us for hours.
If this happens to you, don’t panic! It’s completely normal behavior. Give them their space, let them throw their little temper tantrum, and let them take a good nap. Within a few hours, they’ll wake up, realize they are safe at home, and return to being your sweet, treat-loving companions again.
Over to You!
What is the funniest or most dramatic thing your bun has ever done at the vet? Do they give you the silent treatment when you get home? Let me know in the comments below!
💡 Quick Tip:
If you are shopping for a new carrier, always choose one that opens from the top. Trying to pull a little bun out of a front door feels like an awful game of tug-of-war. A top-opening carrier allows the vet to gently lift them straight up, which is way less stressful for everyone involved.
“Veterinarians don’t just treat animals, they treat the people who love them.” — Anonymous