A hamster isn’t the first pet you think of when you consider bringing your pet along on a trip. But since these animals are small and compact, it is quite easy to pack them up and take them with you on vacation. You would need to consider just a few things to ensure that it is safe to travel with a hamster and not create stress for them. These are also useful tips to know if you are moving and bringing a hamster to your new home.
If possible, keep your hamster in their normal cage. This way, they are in a familiar setting. Take their water bottle out, so it doesn’t leak water onto your vehicle or inside their cage. To provide any hydration needs, leave a cool carrot or cucumber inside the cage. Take out any bowls or anything else inside that could roll around and cause injuries. However, leave their wheel, so they have an outlet if they start to feel stressed during your travels. Also, keep their bedding inside, so they have a place to relax. If you can, put something inside their cage that provides your hamster with a place to hide if they get scared. But nothing heavy that could cause injuries if it moves around or flips over. Don’t forget to leave your hammy something to gnaw on. Forgetting that could cause even more stress for your creature. Hamsters will pass out if they are overstressed.
If you are traveling by car, strap your hamster’s cage in so it can’t move around. If the cage is small enough for a passenger to hold it securely, that would be the best option. Hamsters can develop motion sickness, but that is less likely if they are secured in your vehicle.
If traveling by car, keep your hamster away from heat or direct sunlight. Heat is very dangerous to hamsters. Don’t place their cage by a heat vent or in direct sunlight.
If you are unable to transport your hamster in their usual cage, look for a specific travel cage for your animal. These cages are much smaller than the typical hamster cage, but they will come with the safety features you need to safely transport your animal. The key is to make sure that their travel cage is as well ventilated as their regular cage.
Are you flying with your hamster? Check with your airline first to see what animals they will transport and what rules you must follow. You may not be able to bring your hamster with you in the cabin, which would mean your animal would be flying in the cargo hold. If that is the case, label your hamster’s cage with all your information in case you get separated.
If you are taking a long trip, plan accordingly. If their cage is well laid out for them with food, bedding, etc., you can keep your hamster in a cage for 8-9 hours without issue. Any longer than that could be a problem. Your rodent friend will need a break for food and water. If going by car, schedule these breaks into your travel plans.
Schedule a vet appointment before you take your vacation. Travel is stressful enough for some hamsters. You don’t want the stress from travel to trigger a medical episode. A pre-trip visit also ensures you will have any needed medical paperwork. However, most places require less documentation on hamsters than for other animals like cats or dogs.
When possible, cover their cage with a towel. The darkness can help keep them calm since they can’t see anything. Since hamsters are nocturnal, they might think it’s nighttime and relax and run on their wheel. Or, if they see any daylight poking through, they may go to sleep.
Keep the travel area at the same temperature. As already mentioned, hammers don’t do well with heat. They also don’t do well with the cold. Hamsters pretty much can’t deal with swings in temperature. Get their space to the proper temperature and then maintain it. Don’t have open windows near your hamster because they also don’t like gusts of wind either.
As a small animal, it is easier to pack up your hamster than a cat or a dog. But hammys require a bit more planning and forethought before you embark on a journey. But if you check off all the steps above, you can have safe travel with your hamster.
