Traveling with a Syrian

climber008 · 11-19-2015, 06:14 AM

Hi everybody! I am about to go on a trip with my hamster Calyspo, and I was wondering if anybody had some tips and tricks when traveling! My biggest concern is her water. Because I have traveled with her in the past, I know from experience that the water bottle will begin to drip like crazy after a little while. Is there any suggestions on what I should do about this? It is going to be an 8 hour drive, so I don't want ther to be without water for that long!

Pygmypuff · 11-20-2015, 03:45 AM

Hello!

I'm not a hamster expert at all so please don't take my advice without asking anyone else first but I personally would suggest making sure you take regular stops to check on her and fill up her water, as much for your comfort and as for hers. Make sure there is plenty of bedding and food in her travel cage

Wisper · 11-20-2015, 04:15 AM

Take some cucumber with you and pop a small slice in with your ham every now and then it makes a fine replacement for water on a trip.

Shannonmcn · 11-20-2015, 04:18 AM

I assume you're going to be travelling in the daytime? So ideally she will be asleep or at least sleepy for the majority of the trip. You don't want the water bottle to be dripping the whole time you're travelling and getting the bedding soaked, is there a way to keep an eye on her and just put the water bottle down for her if she gets up and seems to want a drink? Or get some nice cold cucumber slices in a little Tupperware box so they stay fresh and give her those periodically? One thing cucumber is excellent for is hydration.

Vectis Hamstery · 11-20-2015, 04:31 AM

I recommend travelling with hamsters in a carrier rather than their usual cage, so there's less space. This is firstly so they are less likely to come to harm in the event of an emergency stop (either through being flung about or through toys falling on them) and also because my hams feel more snug and secure in a carrier and so just nod off. Pop into the carrier some of their usual substrate, plenty of nesting material (especially if it's cold), food and a water source. Keep a check on temperatures and don't pop the heater up too high in the car or the air con on too much. Beware of where you put the carrier in the car and make sure they aren't near any heater vents - I always think before directing hot air to my feet in the drivers seat in case there's a hamster carrier in the passenger footwell. Tuck the carrier somewhere secure that it won't move around but keep material out of paw reach! I often use a seatbelt to secure the carrier.
I'm not a fan of using water bottles on journeys for the reason you describe. I use a nice big chunk of cucumber - about an inch or so cut into half lengthways. That lasts my show hams all day at a show, but it's worth having spare and keeping a check on how much is left.
Don't leave a ham in the car in hot weather (I'm not sure what the temperature is like where you are) as they can overheat rapidly, even in a few minutes. When you stop for breaks, a carrier is easier to pop in a fabric bag and bring with you into service stations so the ham doesn't get too hot/cold if the weather is extreme

HammieLover98 · 11-21-2015, 01:41 PM

Hi my hamster travelled with me to the isle of wight. For that i put her in a guinea pig sized pet carrier with some of her substrate and bedding and a chunk of cucumber as the others have mentioned. I also put in a small house which was made from hay and herbage. Somone on here gave me the idea. It was great as it entertained her while she was awake. I kept the carrier on my lap while in the car.

climber008 · 11-21-2015, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vectis Hamstery

I recommend travelling with hamsters in a carrier rather than their usual cage, so there's less space. This is firstly so they are less likely to come to harm in the event of an emergency stop (either through being flung about or through toys falling on them) and also because my hams feel more snug and secure in a carrier and so just nod off. Pop into the carrier some of their usual substrate, plenty of nesting material (especially if it's cold), food and a water source. Keep a check on temperatures and don't pop the heater up too high in the car or the air con on too much. Beware of where you put the carrier in the car and make sure they aren't near any heater vents - I always think before directing hot air to my feet in the drivers seat in case there's a hamster carrier in the passenger footwell. Tuck the carrier somewhere secure that it won't move around but keep material out of paw reach! I often use a seatbelt to secure the carrier.
I'm not a fan of using water bottles on journeys for the reason you describe. I use a nice big chunk of cucumber - about an inch or so cut into half lengthways. That lasts my show hams all day at a show, but it's worth having spare and keeping a check on how much is left.
Don't leave a ham in the car in hot weather (I'm not sure what the temperature is like where you are) as they can overheat rapidly, even in a few minutes. When you stop for breaks, a carrier is easier to pop in a fabric bag and bring with you into service stations so the ham doesn't get too hot/cold if the weather is extreme

I don't really have too much room to carry both her cage and a carrier, but I want to make sure that I am doing the best thing for my hammie! What size travel cage do you use for your hamsters? Thank you so much for the suggestion about the cucumber! It is going to be really helpful for me! If I can't find a cucumber is there any other veggie or fruit I can use instead?

climber008 · 11-22-2015, 07:56 AM

What other vegetables can you use besides cucumber? I may not be able to find any cucumbers in my area, so I was wondering if there's any other veggie or fruit that I can subsitute it for!

climber008 · 11-22-2015, 07:59 AM

And I also, I know that several people suggested taking her in a travel cage, but I will only have space to take her in the medium cage. Normally she is in a large bin cage, but I will be moving her to the smaller cage for traveling due to space issues. Will she be alright?

Shannonmcn · 11-22-2015, 08:14 AM

Smaller is better, if you pack it with as much soft bedding as you can so she can get nice and burrowed down and snuggly she will be safer in case it gets a bit bumpy.

Cucumber is used because of it's very high water content. A quick google turned up this "In addition to watermelon and cucumber, the following fruits and vegetables all contain over 90 percent water content: cantaloupe, grapefruit, strawberries, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, iceberg lettuce, sweet peppers, radishes, spinach, zucchini, and tomatoes"

Obviously some of those are out, like grapefruit and tomatoes since they're too acidic but I guess there are some other options if you can't find cucumber.