Flying with hedgies...

[wbarnhill]

Ok, not talking about a jet, but a single engine prop (70-90dB). Been thinking about flying to pick up my new hedgie, but just want to see if anyone else has taken a hedgehog up in a general aviation aircraft. I thought this might be easier on him since it'll only be a 1.5 hr flight versus a 5 hr drive.

I'm thinking if need be, I can line his carrier with acoustic foam, which should deaden a lot of the noise and block out a good bit of light so he could sleep.

Thoughts?

[HedgieMate]

I've never flown with a hedgehog in a commercial or private aircraft, so I can't offer any practical advice based on experience. However, my guess is, after making sure your hedgie doesn't get cold in high altitudes, it would be same as taking a new-born baby on board.

Acoustic foam sounds like a good idea, but you may be faced with a ventilation problem??? Dehydration might be another possibility? I guess it may depend on how long of a flight it will be. Oh, an earache could be a problem too. (I've recently flew with a commercial airline where a person in front of my seat had a cat in a carrier. The poor kitty meowed loudly the entire flight suffering from what appeared to be an earache...)

When I picked up our hedgie, he got carsickness because he was fed shortly before our arrival You may want to ask your breeder not to feed your baby right before your flight, but an empty stomach is equally bad, so you may want to ask your breeder to feed your baby several hours before the flight. Good luck! :)

[PrettyHate]

Id bring along some hand warmers to make sure he/she stays warm enough.

[hemi_mygirl]

Actually, if the light was blocked out, he'd be more active.

Like everyone else has said, I'd been worried about ear problems, and motion sickness, as well as getting too chilly. Is it possible to take the hedgie on as carryon? That way, you can easily share your body heat, while allowing the baby to bond with you.

[HedgeMom]

Ok, not talking about a jet, but a single engine prop (70-90dB). Been thinking about flying to pick up my new hedgie, but just want to see if anyone else has taken a hedgehog up in a general aviation aircraft. I thought this might be easier on him since it'll only be a 1.5 hr flight versus a 5 hr drive.

I'm thinking if need be, I can line his carrier with acoustic foam, which should deaden a lot of the noise and block out a good bit of light so he could sleep.

Thoughts?

You're talking vacuum cleaner to motorcycle loud. Not something I'd worry about for an hour and a half. If you're concerned, get some wax ear plugs, break off a hunk and put a plug over each ear opening. If it falls out, it's parafin and it's not going to hurt anything.

Of course, you COULD spring for a tiny headset and let him take the yoke for a bit... And you MUST take pictures. I'm sure he'll have a great time.

[wbarnhill]

You're talking vacuum cleaner to motorcycle loud. Not something I'd worry about for an hour and a half. If you're concerned, get some wax ear plugs, break off a hunk and put a plug over each ear opening. If it falls out, it's parafin and it's not going to hurt anything.

Of course, you COULD spring for a tiny headset and let him take the yoke for a bit... And you MUST take pictures. I'm sure he'll have a great time.

Thanks for the help :) I really appreciate it!