Weekly travel with a hamster?

sarm · 03-23-2019, 02:42 PM

Hi Everyone!

I am looking to adopt a male Syrian hamster. I live in one stable location, however, for 2-3 nights a week, I reside with my significant other who lives about an hour away from me (he also has a cat, which is very tame and hasn't bothered previous rodent pets of his), but that would contribute to a new smell for the hamster.

I'm thinking maybe start with occasional moving (i.e. once a month to get him used to it, followed by more frequent visits as this will be my living situation for the next year.)

Essentially, I am looking for opinions on the best options. I have seen posts that frequent travel with hamsters is OK, and some that say never travel with them unless necessary. What would you do if this was your furry companion? Do you have any tips for leaving your hamster multiple nights? Have any travel tips?

I haven't adopted a hamster yet because I wanted to weigh these options and make the best decision possible before welcoming one into my life.

Thank you in advance for your time as well as any comments or advice you provide!

Ria P · 03-24-2019, 03:58 AM

I have a new hamster and the same querie because I live in the south of England and my family lives a 12 hr drive away in the north of Scotland! Personally, I'd take the hamster because you're only an hour away from your destination. I wouldn't trust the cat though, animal instinct and all that and keep hamster in a room the cat can't get into. That is only my opinion because I'm in the process of learning about our furry housemates myself.

mangoandmimi · 03-24-2019, 08:01 AM

Well it isn't exactly an ideal situation but you might be able to work around it. Weekly moves is a lot, even if the cage is the same at each end as you said the environment change including the presence of a cat is a lot. Not sure what the cat situation is but regardless of how harmless the cat is it's best to have the hamster in a room where the cat can't get in, they are prey animals so it's to keep their stress levels down. It would be a trip every few days and even if it's just an hour it would just be a lot of constant stress.
Generally you won't want to leave him for over one night, maybe 2 occasionally but I wouldn't do 3. If you have someone who can come and check on him in the evening to make sure everything's ok then that would be fine. If it was me I wouldn't take him more than once every few weeks really or not very often at all.

Ria that's a very long drive! I'm between the south coast and midlands myself and occasionally have had to bring my robo with me, she really doesn't like the drive of course and she takes a while to get settled at each end. So with a 12 hour drive I would definitely try and get a pet sitter if possible.

Ria P · 03-26-2019, 05:19 AM

Let us know how you got on. After reading mangoandmimi's reply I've decided that hamster is staying home.

Pebbles82 · 03-26-2019, 06:41 AM

I think it's better not to move them weekly. If it's 2 nights you can leave food and water out and leave them at home, although no longer than 2 nights. It would be stressful for the hamster.

Ria - if you go to Scotland say for a long holiday of a week or two, then an occasional holiday might be ok - but the real issue is the length of time travelling. It might be better to get a pet sitter.