Warning about small animal "carriers"

[starrylight99]

I think it must have been the tank style. Their cages have bars, and we let them play in a shallow playpen, so they're never in their balls, either. It was so frightening Seeing poor little Apples covered in drool...it was something I've never seen before.

[Christmas_hamster]

Well I've always suggested letting the hamsters explore the carriers prior to any trip in them, let them get used to their scent and what they are, etc. Using them as something in their cage or play pen is a good idea too, like Pomegranate suggested. I don't think carriers are evil or bad, yours were just stressed from all the commotion most likely and didn't take kindly to the new space. Cages, if possible, are usually the best option for travel anyways in order to help keep stress levels down.

[starrylight99]

Originally Posted by Christmas_hamster

Well I've always suggested letting the hamsters explore the carriers prior to any trip in them, let them get used to their scent and what they are, etc. Using them as something in their cage or play pen is a good idea too, like Pomegranate suggested. I don't think carriers are evil or bad, yours were just stressed from all the commotion most likely and didn't take kindly to the new space. Cages, if possible, are usually the best option for travel anyways in order to help keep stress levels down.

Yeah I probably should have kept the carrier in their cage for a while ahead of time. I think that definitely would have helped.

And I realized that maybe I shouldn't have titled the thread "warning," because I was really just typing about a bad experience, not necessarily telling others not to use them. I do think they are a good idea (which is why we bought them), but in my case, I probably won't be using them anymore.

[LocoRocoPanda]

I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience with the carriers.

Izu is in and out of his carrier once a week to get him used to it. Plus I put a bit of cheese in there as well which keeps him happy. Makes him think "Ohhh it's the place with cheese!!"

[stellanova1]

Poor little guys

Could it have been too hot in those smaller tank style carriers and the ventilation isn't great?

I really don't know. I use ones like this Small Pet Carrier Options Pod Large

And not had any problems. Personally I think the ventilation is better in these than the tank ones, but each to there own. Most of my hams are used to tank style cages though so maybe it was just too different for your hams and they freaked out

[DoomSlave]

Originally Posted by AliKati

Dearie me, that's quite a reaction, poor little things. So far, both my hams aren't too bad in their carriers, except for meerkating and peering out. Evie, however, was put into a little cardboard box and pellets dumped on her head, when I first got her, and boy, did she squawk the house down!

I LOVE when hamsters Meerkay! If you ever get the chance would you post a few pics of your ham meerkatting? I absolutley love it.

My little Gandalfenstein doesn't mind being in a carrier but I can definitel

Y see how another Ham would be very stressed. Than you for the warning. I never really thought about this.

[Lucy]

Originally Posted by stellanova1

Poor little guys

Could it have been too hot in those smaller tank style carriers and the ventilation isn't great?

I really don't know. I use ones like this Small Pet Carrier Options Pod Large

And not had any problems. Personally I think the ventilation is better in these than the tank ones, but each to there own. Most of my hams are used to tank style cages though so maybe it was just too different for your hams and they freaked out

I have the same carrier for Jaffa Cake and he was fine in it last time and he is easily freaked out by new places !

[Teddybearhamster420]

Hmm..I always wonder abuot those things.. they are pretty small, even for short distance! Good that you threw them out

[starrylight99]

Originally Posted by stellanova1

Poor little guys

Could it have been too hot in those smaller tank style carriers and the ventilation isn't great?

I really don't know. I use ones like this Small Pet Carrier Options Pod Large

And not had any problems. Personally I think the ventilation is better in these than the tank ones, but each to there own. Most of my hams are used to tank style cages though so maybe it was just too different for your hams and they freaked out

Unfortunately I'm in the US, and I've never seen those in the stores before. The mini sized terrarium-style carrier cage was the largest non-cloth carrier for rodents. Either way, Apples is doing fine, and no harm done. Although I know it could have been worse and we will just transport him in his cage from now on.