How-To: Taking a Trip with My Hamsters

A month back my landlord wanted to come into my apartment and do some kind of check. I am not actually supposed to have pets unless I speak with them first, but who can resist little hamsters? And it's not like they can cause any damage to the apartment, so I had figured why not get them? However, since I like where I live I needed to figure out where I could hide the little guys for the day. (Since then I have spoken to the landlord about it and things are in the works so all is good.)

Dillan & Kai exploring their main habitat

Anyways, I had mentioned the problem to my boss and she offered to allow them to hang out in her office with her for the day. So, that morning I packed them up and brought them to work. They were perfectly, well-behaved, little hamsters all day. Occasionally they came out to get water and such and my boss had said that she heard them at one point, but by the time she turned to look they were gone. LOL. I bet they hadn't even fully surfaced. Sometimes they just poke their heads through the bedding to get to the water and then go back under.

The point of this post is to help you know what to bring with your hamster on a field trip. You want to make sure that the trip is not stressful. So here are a few tips.

Dillan in a small travel carrier

Short Trip
If your trip is only going to be an hour or less you won't really need much, but there are a few things that will definitely help reduce your pet hamster's stress.
1. Small Travel Carrier - Use a small secure carrier that your hamster will not escape from. Hard plastic is a good choice. The Super Pet Small Animal Critter Trail Off To School Habitat is a good choice.
2. Used Bedding - Put some of your hamster's used bedding inside the travel carrier so that he can burrow underneath and sleep or hide if he wants to. This will also make him feel more comfortable because he will have his scent all around him.
3. Food - Put a little of your hamster's food and favorite treats in the travel carrier. This will ensure your hamster is not stressed because he can't get to his horde and that he will not go hungry.
4. Water - If you have a small water bottle that will fit in your travel carrier you can put that in as well. However, I don't feel as though water is absolutely needed if it is only a short trip so don't worry if you can't give your hamster water.
5. Bag - If you can, put your travel carrier inside another bag (not see through) to reduce unusual or unexpected sights. Nothing scares a hamster more than being face to face with a big goofy dog that just happens to be passing by as you are walking out of your apartment.
6. Be Reserved - Don't show your hamster to everyone you see. Doing this will cause more stress. If you absolutely need to show your hamster to someone remind them to keep quiet and move slowly. Try not to startle your hamster as being in a new location will be stressful in itself.

Kai in a small travel carrier

Long Trip
If your trip is going to be longer, a couple hours to a several days, you will need everything from a short trip plus a few more items.
1. Small Travel Carrier - *see short trip* This will be used until you get to where you are going. Once you are there place your hamster into his main habitat.
2. Used Bedding - *see short trip*
3. Food - *see short trip* Plus enough food to last your whole trip.
4. Water - This is a must for a long trip. If the trip to your destination is longer than an hour you must have a water bottle in the travel carrier. If it is less than an hour then having water when you place your hamster back into his main habitat will be sufficient.
5. Bag - *see short trip*
6. Be Reserved - *see short trip*
7. Main Habitat - Once you get to your destination place your hamster into his completely set up main habitat. (Main habitat should have bedding, nesting material, food bowl, food, water bottle, water, toys (tunnels, wheel, things to climb, etc.), chews, and a hidey.)

So there you have it. Two complete lists for both Short and Long Trips. Hope this was helpful!