Rabbits are quiet, but they are fragile in a way owners do not always expect. Changes in food and heat cause problems faster than they do in dogs, so preparing your rabbit's setup is the main job.
Hay first, always
The House Rabbit Society describes hay as the base of an adult rabbit's diet, roughly 80 to 85 percent, with leafy greens and a measured amount of pellets. Pack enough of your rabbit's usual hay for the whole stay plus extra, in a sealed bag. Keep pellets and any greens the same as at home, because abrupt changes in food can upset a rabbit's digestion. Write the daily amounts on a card.
Heat is the bigger risk
Rabbits tolerate cold better than heat, and a hot day is a danger. The Central Valley regularly sees triple-digit days, so ask where small pets are housed and how that space is kept cool before you board any small animal. Do not leave a rabbit in a parked car, even for a minute; California law forbids confining an animal in an unattended vehicle under heat-endangering conditions.
What to pack and how to hand over
The kennel may ask you to supply the cage. Include a water bottle or heavy bowl, a hide box, a small litter pan with your rabbit's usual litter and a favorite chew. Label everything. The small pet packing list has the full list. Mention medications, any past gut slowdown and your vet's name on the form.
Check the rabbit boarding page and the cage question page for current details.
Signs to watch after he comes home
A rabbit that stops eating or passing droppings is a veterinary emergency, not something to wait out. Watch appetite, droppings and energy for the first day back, and call a vet that treats rabbits if anything changes. The Merck Veterinary Manual and the House Rabbit Society are good places to learn the signs before your trip. Also tell the staff about any habits that are normal for your rabbit, such as thumping, hiding or eating droppings at night, so the unusual stands out from the ordinary. A rabbit that is sitting hunched, grinding teeth or refusing a favorite treat deserves a quick call to the vet rather than waiting.