Sometimes hamsters travel with their owners, so to ensure everything goes smoothly, you will need a hamster carrier.
With such a device, you can transport your baby to a new place of residence, on a visit, or take it with you on vacation. It is more convenient to transport in a container than in a regular cage, because it is bulky. The hamster is not picky when transporting, but the owner must make sure that he has food and water. It is important that air enters the carrier; it should not be left in the cold, near heating devices. Is it possible to transport a hamster on a train? Definitely yes, and you can use a hamster container for these purposes. Plastic retains heat - just put a little of the usual bedding on the baby, he will burrow and sleep the whole way, especially if the journey falls during the daytime.
Hamster carrier and container, transportation in transport
Many owners of hamsters are interested in whether it is possible to transport a hamster, both on a train and in other vehicles. It often happens that a move affects absolutely all family members and even its pets. To make the animal comfortable on the train and other types of transport, you need to purchase a container for the hamster in advance. When choosing it, it is worth taking into account the basic rules for transporting these animals, the internal equipment of their temporary home, and the features of certain models.
Choosing a Carrying Bag
When purchasing a container for your hamster, you need to pay attention to several details:
- Carrying size. A small container is suitable for transportation. If the rodent requires a lot of free space, then you can choose a larger one.
- Material. Metal containers are practically no different from a rodent’s usual home and have a low cost. It is most convenient to use a plastic container - it is easy to wash, the hamster will not be able to chew through the hole, and there is enough light from above. Animal bags made of fabric are suitable if you need to transport the animal over a short distance.
- Price. There are both very cheap models and more expensive containers. You need to choose based on the financial capabilities of the owner and the necessary properties of the container. The main thing to remember is that low price = fragility and unreliability.
Basic rules of transportation
Before organizing the relocation of hamsters, it is worth buying a container for the hamster. It is much more convenient, adapted for transporting animals on a train, allowing the animals to bury themselves in the sawdust poured inside and sleep the entire way. The animal carrier must be equipped with containers for water and food, and in no case should it be placed in a draft or left where it is very cold. To reduce the stress of pets during transportation, it is worth following its basic rules in various types of transport.
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In airplane
For hamsters, transportation by plane is highly undesirable. There is information that Djungarians and Syrians may not survive the flight at all, dying from a stroke, which occurs due to sudden changes in pressure. In addition, it is important to find out in advance the conditions for transporting animals, because when checking documents, if some of them are missing, the pet will be confiscated.
By train
Transportation by train is one of the most successful “travel” options for individuals of the hamster order. The main thing is to make sure you have the following documents:
- form No. 1;
- certificate for transportation (taken from the state district clinic);
- ticket indicating “baggage with you.”
If you are planning to travel on a train for a long time with your pet, you should take care of a large number of accessories inside the temporary home so that he does not get bored and does not feel the change in the situation around him.
By car
When thinking about whether it is possible to transport a hamster in a car, you should not look for reasons to refuse such an idea. This method of transportation is considered one of the most convenient when it comes to traveling from one city to another within the same country. The animal will not need any additional certificates about its health status or vaccination. Pet carriers used in the car must be well insulated, especially in the winter. It is best to wrap them in scarves, warm blankets, and put as much sawdust and napkins inside as possible so that the pets do not freeze.
How to choose a carrier?
When choosing a container for your hamster, you need to take into account the time of year in which the transportation will take place. A temporary house for hamsters, even if they travel on a train in winter, should retain heat perfectly and provide enough space to move around inside it. Preference should be given to high-quality plastic, hard, strong, which definitely does not deform under high pressure.
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It is important that the temporary housing for hamsters is well ventilated, otherwise they will die from lack of oxygen. This aspect must be taken into account first of all when creating a house for a hamster with your own hands. If you have a long journey on the train, you should make sure that it has the following equipment:
Naturally, the cost of such a device will be many times more expensive than usual, however, its use will allow you to transport your pet with maximum comfort for him. In addition, it is important, before sending the baby into a new home, to place sawdust from the old cage there. Hearing his native smell, the hamster will not experience much stress when traveling on the train.
Carrying rules
With proper care, a container for a hamster, so necessary on a train and other means of transportation, can last for decades. After transportation of the animal is completed, the built-in amenities and accessories must be disinfected, washed, and dried. Such a temporary “home” of an individual should be stored in a box or case. It must be stored in a dark place, since when the plastic is constantly exposed to sunlight, it begins to crack, dry out, and deteriorate.
How to make your own carrier?
Many people are interested in whether it is possible to make a carrier for such an animal as a hamster with your own hands. It's actually quite simple. In addition, in this way you can save additional financial resources that would be spent on purchasing a carrier for transporting an animal on a train, for example.
There are several options for homemade carriers designed for hamsters. These include:
In the first case, it is extremely important to make sure to make several holes in the transport container to allow sufficient oxygen to enter the baby’s temporary home. Otherwise, he may suffocate. In the second case, you should give preference to strong, breathable fabrics, since, experiencing a feeling of strong fear and anxiety on the train, the pet may chew off part of the homemade container.
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Some people prefer ordinary glass jars so that the baby cannot get hurt during the move on sharp corners, which are often present in homemade carriers made for hamsters. In addition, it is important to consider that when traveling on a train or other types of transport, the animal will still experience a shaking sensation, and therefore it is worth checking from time to time how it behaves and whether everything is okay with it. In order to understand how to make a carrier for a hamster, just watch training videos, of which there are plenty on the Internet.
Features of containers
Each carrier should have small holes for air. Containers for food and water are also required. If you just bought a pet, then a cardboard box is suitable for transporting it home. It should be remembered that such a carrier is not at all reliable: after just a few minutes the animal can gnaw a hole in it and escape.
A glass container can be used for short distance transport, but you need to be careful with it. Plastic containers are considered the most reliable - the hamster will not chew them, and they will not be damaged too much if something happens.
The aircraft is not suitable for transporting rodents
Carrying for a hamster and transportation rules
Almost everyone has a day when they need to properly organize their move. The difficulty often lies not in small children, but in their pets. It is imperative to find out how they tolerate this or that type of transport and how to transport it without harm to the health and life of the hamster. Choosing a carrier for an animal is not difficult, but we must not forget the rules of transportation and the necessary equipment of the home.
Temperature
When transporting a pet, you need to pay attention to weather conditions. Extremely high and low temperatures can have a detrimental effect on an animal's health.
In summer, keep the container with your pet in the shade to avoid sunstroke. Hamsters do not tolerate cold easily, especially frost. It is possible to transport a hamster in winter, but you need to monitor your pet more closely. If he is exposed to cold air for a long time, he may fall into a stupor. Place napkins in the carrier and cover the container with a scarf or blanket. It is important to keep your hamster warm.
Basic provisions for transporting hamsters
Pets do not tolerate any change of environment well. The rodent gets used to certain smells and sounds. Lighting and temperature changes also play a big role: any change can cause extreme stress in your pet. To avoid this, veterinarians recommend creating an atmosphere in the carrier that is familiar to the hamster.
First of all, some of the filler is poured out of the cage to create a familiar smell. It will be a good sign if the rodent buries itself in it and decides to sleep like that the whole way. A normal reaction is when the animal immediately marks a new refuge. Before the trip, you can let your pet get used to being carried, this will make it easier for him to endure the journey.
Dry food is used as food. It is not advisable to place water: there is a possibility that it will simply spill during transportation.
Important! To prevent your pet from dying of thirst, they give him a juicy vegetable, preferably fresh.
Hamsters do not tolerate very high or very low temperatures well.
Air travel
You can transport your hamster over short and long distances using different types of transport. Before transporting an animal on an airplane, you need to find out how this species tolerates stress on the body. Veterinarians warn that dwarf hamsters and Syrian hamsters do not withstand such stress well. Having understood the characteristics of the rodent, you can move on to choosing a container.
It will be difficult to adapt to the requirements of the airline and the country where the hamster’s owners are moving. You need to prepare documents for export from the country in order for your pet to be allowed on the plane.
In addition to your own troubles, you can also harm your pet. You need to think 10 times before finally deciding that there is no other way to transport a hamster. The animal may not survive the air travel at all. With the above species of rodents, there is a possibility of death from stroke due to pressure surges.
Transporting a hamster using different means of transportation
Transportation by wheeled transport
Hamsters tolerate this type of transportation the easiest. To transport a rodent within the country, no certificates are required; they are only needed when crossing the border. It is enough to purchase a comfortable carrier, provide the animal with enough food and water, and also make sure that it is not too cold or hot.
Important! If the vehicle does not have air conditioning, then in summer the animal should be transported in the evening, when the heat subsides. Windows must be open.
Air travel
The aircraft is not suitable for transporting rodents. Some of them cannot tolerate heavy loads. There is a high chance that pressure surges will cause the animal to have a stroke and die. Before traveling, the owner should consult a veterinarian about his pet. Experts say that flying is the worst for dwarf hamsters and Syrian hamsters.
In order for an animal to be allowed into the territory of another country, it is necessary to prepare the necessary documents and certificates in advance. Each airline may have its own requirements for transporting pets.
Important! For the owners, this means collecting numerous pieces of paper, and for the animal - a direct threat to its health. You should resort to this means of transportation only if there is no other way to get to your destination.
Have you ever traveled by plane with an animal?
Travel by rail
Transporting a hamster by train is not difficult. When purchasing a ticket, you must indicate the carriage of hand luggage and make sure that animals are allowed in the carriage. You must have a carrier with you. Small rodents can be transported without special documents.
Important! Transportation requirements change frequently, so please check with official sources before traveling.
In summer, the temperature on the train can be very high. The owner should try to take a ticket to a carriage with air conditioning to prevent the pet from being exposed to high temperatures.
Animal bags made of fabric are suitable if you need to transport the animal over a short distance.
Travel by rail
It's easier here than in the air. But the majority of those who transported pets in this way are clear that the handlers do not really like such passengers, since they are convinced that they are contagious. Therefore, you must take the appropriate documents and a carrier for your hamster.
The carrier can be purchased in the form of a container for transporting animals. Place shavings or other filler there for the hamster's convenience. And take his favorite food. There is nothing difficult about it.
You must have the following documents with you:
- Form No. 1.
- Certificate of permission for transportation.
- When purchasing a train ticket, indicate “baggage with you.”
Animal bag
A carrier for hamsters is necessary not only for travelers, but also for walks in the fresh air. The right container will provide a comfortable home for the duration of your walk or trip.
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Hamster carriers are sold in regular pet stores. You can choose a container to suit every taste and budget. The price depends on the size and model. Varies from 10 to 20 dollars. For 15 you can find a durable plastic carrier, which will have holes for air and devices for the animal’s comfort. Approximate container size for hamster comfort: length at least 20 cm, width – 30 cm, height – 25 cm.
Main types of carriers:
- The bag has a window and air flows in. Suitable for very small pets.
- Plastic ones are transparent, let in more light to the hamster, and are easy to wash.
- Metal - for those who need to save money. The advantage is that there is almost no difference from the usual rodent home.
When purchasing a carrier, you need to consider the availability of amenities:
- Containers for food and water.
- Drum, ladder and other entertainment.
Such carriers will be more expensive, but then you don’t have to worry too much about the comfort and safety of the hamster. Before going to your pet’s new home, it is better to put old sawdust, he will feel a familiar smell and will not be afraid of the journey.
Is it possible to do without carrying?
It should be remembered that carrying is not someone’s whim, but a necessary measure. It is not safe to transport a rodent in a jar or even in your hands; it is not always possible to transport a huge cage.
If the animal does not leave its habitat, there is no urgent need for carrying. You can buy it for trips to the veterinarian so that the animal does not get hurt on the way, but this item is best suited for owners who go on a trip with a rodent.
This device will ensure his safety and reduce the stress of the trip. Owners do not have to worry that the animal will run away, freeze or get hungry - everything is provided in the carriers.
The rodent gets used to certain smells and sounds.
DIY hamster carrier
It's not difficult to make a carrier for your hamster with your own hands. To do this, you will need to take a bucket with a plastic lid, cut holes on the walls and lid to allow air to enter, put in some filling and a treat. But in the heat it can be stuffy and unpleasant for the animal.
You can take a plastic food container. There are also a lot of holes to be made there. Wash thoroughly and dry dry. You need to put regular napkins on the bottom. To make a handle, make four holes in the lid and thread strong knitting threads through them. This is more of a disposable carrier for short trips, since such plastic is not strong enough for constant use. In the same way, you can make a container for a hamster from a plastic bottle.
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Some people believe that rodents will be fine in glass jars. This option is only suitable as a last resort.
No matter how hard the hamster owner tries to choose the best carrier for the road, the animal will get a little stressed. Therefore, while traveling, you need to monitor your pet’s behavior to see if he is feeling well. But the better the temporary housing, the easier the hamster will endure the trip.
Brief overview of popular models
- Plastic. Easy to clean, you can observe the animal through the transparent top. Versatile: can be used for both short trips and long trips.
- Carrying bag. Made of dense fabric, ventilation and a window for observation are provided. The animal bag is suitable for transportation over a short distance.
- With metal rods. It resembles a familiar cage for a rodent, the most budget option. The bottom is made of plastic so that filler can be poured in and it is more convenient for the pet to move around the container.
You can do simple carrying yourself.
