Driving from California to Utah with pets

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

We've got plans to move cross States by car. We're moving so the pets have to come with us. My concern is my hamster. The first part of the drive is a 5 hour drive stopping only to get gas. The second part is a 6 hour drive, again stopping only for gas.

Is there anything that I can due to reduce hamster stress? I will have to ride in a uhaul with my hamster, cat and lizard.

Right now I'm not even sure how my cat will relieve himself if needed. I've thought of a throw away liter box but there is no room for it nor will he want to come out. This topic is mostly in regards to Aria but suggestions for Aria or my kitty Salem then please do comment. I know there is a sedative for cats. Is there anything for hamsters?

[kyrilliondaemon]

A lot of hamsters do long trips to shows on a regular basis, ours've been in the car for over four hours at a time with no trouble. Most just go to sleep
I'd just put your ham in a carrier with food, some veg for water, substrate and bedding and leave her to it to be honest. Chances are she'll sleep the whole way

[Piebald]

I don't know about the hammie but I have done 20+ hours roadtrip with cats more than once. If you haven't already take your cat on a test trip. I wouldn't sedate unless you really have to (some cats go completely bonkers in the car). Sedation impacts their ability to regulate temperature and respiration. Also some cats fight sedation and it just annoys them. So test a trip sedated if you think that's how you want to go. This is the most important step! Skip at your own risk!
Have a large good strong carrier that can handle cat pee and poo. Make a hidy nest in one part and a pee place in another if you can't fit a small litter tray. Bring disposable bedding (puppypads are good), a sealable plastic bag for soiled bedding, and disposable plastic gloves. Some petsafe cleaner and papertowels.
Bring some extra bath towels. You may need to hold kitty without getting clawed-- use a towel.
Make sure there are rules about opening the door-- everyone needs to check first that kitty is locked up safe before opening. He may come out, I have slept at rest stops with kitty out of his carrier.
Bring dry food, wet is rather messy and smelly. Make sure he is well hydrated before hand-- I suggest adding warm water to his food for a couple of days before leaving to encourage hydration. Of course that will mean a bit more pee but that's better than dehydrated cat. They can be reluctant to drink when in a stressful situation.
FYI did a family cross country once with a sedated cat, an unhousebroken puppy, a dog, and two turtles. Enjoy LOL.
Now sorry for threadjacking the hammie question I hope this helps!

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

Originally Posted by kyrilliondaemon

A lot of hamsters do long trips to shows on a regular basis, ours've been in the car for over four hours at a time with no trouble. Most just go to sleep
I'd just put your ham in a carrier with food, some veg for water, substrate and bedding and leave her to it to be honest. Chances are she'll sleep the whole way

That sounds pretty simple enough. here I am all sorts of stressed on how to stop Aria from stressing out. Ha ha. It really is reassuring to hear that you've been doing this on a regular basis with no trouble. That really helps put me at ease.

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

Originally Posted by Piebald

I don't know about the hammie but I have done 20+ hours roadtrip with cats more than once. If you haven't already take your cat on a test trip. I wouldn't sedate unless you really have to (some cats go completely bonkers in the car). Sedation impacts their ability to regulate temperature and respiration. Also some cats fight sedation and it just annoys them. So test a trip sedated if you think that's how you want to go. This is the most important step! Skip at your own risk!
Have a large good strong carrier that can handle cat pee and poo. Make a hidy nest in one part and a pee place in another if you can't fit a small litter tray. Bring disposable bedding (puppypads are good), a sealable plastic bag for soiled bedding, and disposable plastic gloves. Some petsafe cleaner and papertowels.
Bring some extra bath towels. You may need to hold kitty without getting clawed-- use a towel.
Make sure there are rules about opening the door-- everyone needs to check first that kitty is locked up safe before opening. He may come out, I have slept at rest stops with kitty out of his carrier.
Bring dry food, wet is rather messy and smelly. Make sure he is well hydrated before hand-- I suggest adding warm water to his food for a couple of days before leaving to encourage hydration. Of course that will mean a bit more pee but that's better than dehydrated cat. They can be reluctant to drink when in a stressful situation.
FYI did a family cross country once with a sedated cat, an unhousebroken puppy, a dog, and two turtles. Enjoy LOL.
Now sorry for threadjacking the hammie question I hope this helps!

That's actually all really useful information. I hadn't had a chance to look into sedation just yet. We did take him to the vet recently and he did just fine. So I might skip sedation since he doesn't seem to need it.

I will have to look into a hard plastic carrier. He had a small one that he really likes but he can't turn in it at all. I don't llike the idea of him not being able to stretch and turn.

Thank you So much for the kitty tips. You offered some really good advice that iI would've never even thought about on my own!

[kyrilliondaemon]

Originally Posted by Oatmeal_Cupcake

That sounds pretty simple enough. here I am all sorts of stressed on how to stop Aria from stressing out. Ha ha. It really is reassuring to hear that you've been doing this on a regular basis with no trouble. That really helps put me at ease.

Good The only other things we regard as really important are making sure the car stays at a reasonable temperature and making sure the carriers are secure, we seatbelt ours in if we can.
In the UK we have a fair few hamster shows a year, lots of people attend with lots of hamsters and I've not heard of anyone having a problem going. We've been going to 4-5 shows a year for about three years now and all the hams (and mice) we've taken have always been fine.

[Thin Lizzy]

I'd recommend cucumber, put this in her cage so she keeps hydrated. Extra bedding for comfort. Something with your scent, a tissue so she's got some more of your scent.

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy

I'd recommend cucumber, put this in her cage so she keeps hydrated. Extra bedding for comfort. Something with your scent, a tissue so she's got some more of your scent.

Okie Dokie! I'm thinking placing Aspen from her bin into the cage along with some of her nesting material so she can have as much as of a familiar scent as possible. II'll be sure to take your suggestion on the tissue with my scent.

[Piebald]

Glad to help. Experience is good to share.
Another thought (cat related) take water from home with you. It will at least taste familiar and give you a better chance of kitty drinking.
I see you're in California. Presumably you are making this trip soon so it shouldn't be too hot. I did drive across desert with cats in summer once but I did it at night to avoid the worst of the heat. It's an option to consider depending on when you are traveling.
The carrier will be nice for kitty when you get to the new place. Leave it out for him with bedding from the old place to hide and sleep in. It becomes a familiar den in the strange new surroundings.
It'll be fine, take some pics of your traveling pet nest for us!