vacation?

[eponine454]

Hi there.

If you go on a little weekend trip (let's say three days), what is the best way to deal with your hedgie? Leave him at home with extra food and water? Take him with you? Take his whole cage with you?

And what if I'd like to take him/her with me to visit my folks or for a short trip...what's the best way to travel with them?

[who00knows]

I was wondering the same things.

[barton]

If it is only one full day without seeing them (as in leaving on friday back on sunday) then i will give extra food mostly because my boy use to get car sick and isnt big on change. If i wont be home for more then one full day then i take them with me. ideally it would be best to bring their full cage so taht the animal isnt as stressed. Usually i dont have room to bring both cages so i bring the boys since he is the sensitive one, and i make a cage for my girl with the extra cage material i have...those metal cube things, when i get where i am going and in the meantime she hangs out in her hedgie bag on my lap for the drive. she is more open to change so i know i can get away with it when it comes to her, but i know to never try taht with my boy because he likes the comfort of his own space. so i guess you have to go by the type of piggie you have in determining what will cause the least amount of stress

[Kerrie]

I would say either get a "pet sitter" or take him with you. Alot can happen if he is left alone with no-one to check on him.
He could knock over his water bowl.
If you use a bottle...it could get clogged or the water could seep out.
How will you maintain the room temperture?
What about light requirements. On 12 hours, off 12 hours.
Being away 1 night I think is fine, but 2 nights...I couldn't do it. This is why hubby and I take seperate vacations now. Well hubby doesn't (he stays with critters) I do..:laugh:

[Love4Hedgies]

Also, when you take him with you make sure that he is in warm enough conditions. :)

[Ododad]

Yep, I agree. A hedgie must be checked on every day. Either take him with you, or get a sitter that will check EVERY day. Hedgies are nortorius for spilling water or food bowls, turning wheels over on top of themselfs, escaping, you name it. They can get into so much trouble even in their own little homes. I would never leave any of mine unattended for more than one day. JMO

[eponine454]

thank you all for your advice.

I got a cool carrying pouch today for her (when she gets here.) They retail for 32 bucks but I found it brand new at a thrift store for 3.96! I was thrilled! and I also got a great deal on some polar fleece at Hancock Fabrics. Now to make liners and blankies and the like. :)

[Pippin'sMom]

I wouldn't leave a hedgie home alone for more than one night. Too many things could happen without you knowing. If you do have to take them (say, a weekend trip) it's probably a good idea to invest in a small Rubbermaid bin to use as a mini "travel cage". Same concept as a permanent cage, just on a smaller scale. However, if you're taking your hedgie with you for a longer vacation, I'd take the whole cage and some supplies.

[SherAlana]

I travel alot so if I am goine for 3-5 days I usually do the following:
I leave written DETAILED instructions with all my family members, I assign one person to their care (usually my younger sister), I walk them through my daily routine with them physically so I can make sure they are doing it properly. I leave food premixed in seperate bags labled with each day I am gone in the fridge (Mon, Tue, Wed., etc) -- excluding veggies and meats, I have a measuring cup for that and I write what is to be cut up given on what day. I clean the cages before I leave and I tell my co-workers I am going out of town (I work at an Emergency Animal Clinc) so they have a heads up if my family calls with an emergency and can just put any work ups on my account. I give everyone my cell number, and I usually call 2-3 times a day to check up on my baby.

[Ododad]

I travel alot so if I am goine for 3-5 days I usually do the following:
I leave written DETAILED instructions with all my family members, I assign one person to their care (usually my younger sister), I walk them through my daily routine with them physically so I can make sure they are doing it properly. I leave food premixed in seperate bags labled with each day I am gone in the fridge (Mon, Tue, Wed., etc) -- excluding veggies and meats, I have a measuring cup for that and I write what is to be cut up given on what day. I clean the cages before I leave and I tell my co-workers I am going out of town (I work at an Emergency Animal Clinc) so they have a heads up if my family calls with an emergency and can just put any work ups on my account. I give everyone my cell number, and I usually call 2-3 times a day to check up on my baby.
You got it going on! :)