All About Rabbit Carriers

Choosing a Top-Opening Solid Carrier for Your Rabbit

Having a top-opening solid carrier is important for safely transporting your rabbit. It provides easier access, security, and comfort for your rabbit during travel, whether you're going to a vet, relocating to another room, or dealing with an emergency.

Benefits of a Solid Top-Opening Carrier

  1. Safe Handling: The top opening allows you to gently and safely lower your rabbit into the carrier.

  2. Exit Options: You can open the front door for your rabbit to hop out on their own.

  3. Risk with Front Entry: Forcing your rabbit in through the front door can cause injury or stress.

  4. Protection: A solid carrier is like a car seat for children—it offers structural protection and can be secured with a seatbelt or placed on the car floor.

  5. Comfort: Line the bottom with fleece or place a litter box inside to prevent slipping.

  6. Accessibility: Keep the carrier near your rabbit's enclosure so you can access it quickly during an emergency.

  7. Convenience: Use the carrier during cleaning or when moving your rabbit to their play area.

Carrier Reviews

We have not used fabric based carriers due to cleaning challenges. Solid plastic carriers are easier to sanitize and more durable. The following are our personal reviews of several top-opening carriers, many of which we found at flea markets or thrift stores. You can also search online using the term "top-opening rabbit carriers."

Criteria for Review

  1. Top-opening access

  2. Ease of placing a litter box inside.

  3. Solid design and material

  4. Extra features

  5. Size and portability

two petmate top opening carriers side by side
Close-up view of how to lock and uplock carrier
Close-up of the bottom part of a white plastic item with three metal rivets, placed on a pink quilted surface.

Petmate Two Door Top Load Dog & Cat Kennel

  • Top Access: Opens from both sides using a two-finger latch system. The door opens to 90 degrees but doesn’t stay up unless held or propped.

  • Litter Box Access: Difficult. You must remove 8 screws to detach the top. We use fleece instead.

  • Design: Very sturdy, made of heavy plastic. Widely used by rabbit rescue organizations.

  • Extra Features: None noted.

  • Use Case: Vet visits and short trips (e.g., to playroom).

Two Marchiro Top-Opening carrier side by , one smaller and one larger, placed on a colorful floral blanket inside a play area with cartoon character wallpaper in the background. There is a stuffed bunny rabbit toy with a tag in front of the carriers.
A small pet cage with a metal grid door, containing an open container with purple liquid and a pinkish worm or caterpillar on the surface of the cage.
Empty pet carrier with a metal door, plastic sides, and a dark-colored interior, placed inside a room with furry friends visible in the background.
Close-up of a plastic pet carrier with white bars and a purple latch, placed on a colorful patterned fabric.

Marchioro Top-Opening Carrier (May be discontinued; check second-hand markets)

  • Top Access: Requires pressing in tabs to unlock and remove the top.

  • Litter Box Access: Easy—just release two latches on each side.

  • Design: Durable and well-built.

  • Extra Features: Compatible with a shoulder strap for hands-free carrying.

  • Use Case: Great for rescues and mobile transport.

Ferplast Atlas Carrier
Close-up of a white plastic latch on the top of a white pet carrier with blue interior and vent slats.
Empty plastic animal cage with white and blue base and white wire sides and top, placed on a green patterned surface.
Close-up of a white wire animal cage with a plastic handle on the front, with a blue plastic tray underneath, and a colorful rainbow-themed background.

Ferplast Atlas Carrier

  • Top Access: Opens with two sliding latches—simple and efficient.

  • Litter Box Access: Easy—remove the two side latches to lift off the top.

  • Design: Solid construction.

  • Extra Features: Comfortable, ergonomic handle.

  • Use Case: Good all-purpose carrier.

Friscro Top opening carrier

Frisco Top Loading Small Pet Carrier, Medium

Top Access: The top half of the carrier opens easily with a single front lock.
Litter Box Access: Convenient and user-friendly.
Design: The front lock can break breaking after repeated use or using too much force to lock/unlock.

Use Case: Simple to use can light weight to carry.

A lightweight, portable pet carrier with ventilation slats, a handle, and a small door opening.

SportPet Designs Travel Master Collapsible Cat Carrier

We have not used this carrier. We have seen people use this carrier for their rabbits.

It is simple to fold up and setup. It does offer a small profile for storage. 

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right carrier ensures your rabbit’s safety and comfort. Solid top-opening carriers are practical, durable, and easy to clean—making them the preferred option for transport, emergencies, or daily handling. We hope that you use this as guide to chose among the many types of carriers.