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Old 02-19-2016, 12:49 AM   #1
velma
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Default Hypothetical hamster travel question

Looking to the future for when I get another hamster: although I do drive, some places are easier to get to by train. Would it be acceptable and fair on a hamster to travel back with one on a train? Or is it just too noisy?
And has anyone travelled by train with a hamster in the UK. Is there a problem with the staff if you have an animal on the train?
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Old 02-19-2016, 03:18 AM   #2
Fluffagrams
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Default Re: Hypothetical hamster travel question

I've known and seen people travelling on trains with hamsters many times and whilst some have been scurrying around in their cage, a fair few will just go to sleep. As I don't drive I am planning on taking James on the train to the Real London Show in Bracknell later in the year and there's a possibility that I'll be taking him to Cardiff by train too if Mum is not keen on going. He usually falls asleep in his carrier anyway so he won't know any different.

The only time I've seen a guard frown upon it is when people have tried to bring a full sized hamster cage on to a busy rush hour train but if you've got your hamster in a secure carrier and you've got him or her on your lap or something then they barely notice. After all a lot of train companies allow dogs too.

I'd probably say that very long or complicated journeys by train are best avoided but on a whole, I wouldn't say there's an issue.

Last edited by Fluffagrams; 02-19-2016 at 04:20 AM. Reason: Fixed spelling error
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Old 02-19-2016, 03:52 AM   #3
Vectis Hamstery
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Default Re: Hypothetical hamster travel question

I've taken hams on trains and my friend brings her Syrian hamster back here (I bred him). As Fluffagrams says, use a sensible-sized secure carrier with food, bedding and a water source and they curl up and go to sleep. If it's a baby from a breeder then it should be ok. An elderly, unwell or nervous rescue hamster may tolerate it less well. My friend pops the carrier into a fabric bag for life as it makes it more secure for the hamster and also reduces unwanted attention from other travellers wanting to stroke him.

Do bear in mind the weather also. If it's in cold weather then make sure you have extra bedding in there, and I wouldn't recommend non-essential (ie not vet journeys) by train in snow/ice.
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Old 02-19-2016, 05:43 AM   #4
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Default Re: Hypothetical hamster travel question

Thanks! That's really helpful
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Old 02-19-2016, 08:38 AM   #5
Purdy Bear
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Default Re: Hypothetical hamster travel question

As a side note check out You Tube for what to put in your travelling cage, there are a few good ones on there. I love this one by Erins Animals:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p4T8HA8pRE
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Old 02-19-2016, 08:58 AM   #6
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Default Re: Hypothetical hamster travel question

When i collected my syrian girl, Harvest, from the rescue i took her home by train and bus. She burrowed down into her carrier and slept.

Rosewood Small Animal PET POD Carrier Hamster Gerbil Guinea PIG Medium Large | eBay

It was that style, for guiiea pigs.
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Old 02-19-2016, 10:22 AM   #7
Fluffagrams
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Default Re: Hypothetical hamster travel question

I've got a couple of different carriers that I've used to transport my hamsters to shows.

Ferplast Aladino Medium: Ferplast Aladino Guinea Pig Carrier, Medium, 30 x 23 x 21 cm, Red: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

I used this one for May as she was a bit anxious in the smaller carriers, it's big enough for a Syrian and the coloured sides can help the hamster feel more secure.

I've also got two carriers made out of these plastic clippy boxes from Poundland: Plastic Clippy Box

Vectis gave me one of these to bring James home in and he was quite content in there for the majority of the day. She'd put several holes in the lid with a soldering iron but you could always use a drill if you didn't have a soldering iron. I bought a second one as it was only £1 as it always pays to have a spare. It probably wouldn't be big enough for a Syrian but it was fine for a smaller species such as a Chinese.
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Old 02-19-2016, 11:16 AM   #8
peasypea
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Default Re: Hypothetical hamster travel question

Pixie used to come home from uni on the train with me, I just used a little carrier and she used to go in her house and sleep! She was so chilled out, nothing phased her!
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Old 02-19-2016, 11:21 AM   #9
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Default Re: Hypothetical hamster travel question

I've only taken Charlie in his pet carrier twice. Same one as Fluffagrams has. As well as plenty of bedding I had two small houses in it (he liked being in a house), and some food hidden in the substrate for him to find. I also put a blanket over it while we were travelling so it was dark, and light and distractions didn't affect him.
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Old 02-19-2016, 11:58 AM   #10
velma
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Default Re: Hypothetical hamster travel question

Cheers, people! I have the alladino that Fluffagrams has. I think it's a really nice sturdy carrier. And nice and dark for them too.
It's something I've only ever done by car before now (either collecting new hams or taking the hams to a friend for pet sitting) and hadn't really thought of the train as a possibility until I thought I saw a few people on here mention it. Glad to know its a possibility and particularly that Vectis as a breeder isn't having kittens about the idea of her hams going on the train so other breeders likely to feel the same.
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