Aaron Widmar
No Comments

Tips for Transporting Your Hamster in the Car Without Traumatizing It

Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Text Size Print This Page

Advice for safely travelling with your mouse, gerbil, or other small rodent without scaring it

gerbil in car carrying case travel transport rodent pet hamster
Photo: The News Wheel

Whether you’re bringing your beloved rodent with you over the holidays or taking him to the vet for a checkup, it’s important that your small furry pet is safe and calm while riding in the car. Travelling with a gerbil, mouse, or hamster is much different than riding with a dog or cat, so make sure you’re taking proper measure to transport your rodent in the car without traumatizing or injuring it.


Honda SUVs Make Great Vehicles for Busy Families: Here are the best Honda models to buy pre-owned


Keep him in his cage

It’s important that your fuzzy friend stay calm while moving in the car, and the best way to achieve this is to keep him in a familiar environment. So, if possible, transport his entire cage he normally stays in. That way, you’re minimizing how many uncommon stimuli he’s experiencing at once.

Or, use a designated travel carrier

If the normal cage is too big for travelling or not secure enough to take on the road, use a compact travel terrarium. These plastic, ventilated enclosures are easy to carry and are quite cheap. You can get one from a pet store for around $10, and it’s secure enough for your hamster to stay in for a period at your destination. Fill it with shavings from his cage that have his scent on it, as well as some food and a couple of chew toys.

Remove any dangerous items, and add extra shavings

You don’t want to hit a pot hole and cause a hard or weighty object in the cage topple over and collide with your hamster’s fragile head. Remove any dense wooden blocks, ceramic feed bowls, etc. Use a lighter item as a substitute nesting domicile during the travel; so, replace that wooden hut with a plastic igloo or cardboard teepee. The best way to protect your friend from impacts is to add extra paper bedding to the cage so it cushions his body. It’s like adding air bags to the cage.

Strap the cage to a seat

Minimize how much the cage is jostled around during the trip to reduce internal injury or trauma. Instead of setting the cage on the floor, where the bumps in the road are more intense, place the enclosure on an empty seat and strap it in with a seat belt. Don’t trust a passenger to hold it, as they might accidentally drop it or lose their grip at a bad time. You don’t want the cage to fly through the air if you’re in a fender-bender. Also, place a sheet of cardboard against the back of the chair so the cute critter won’t chew on the upholstery!


Are You a Recent College Graduate? We suggest you check out these recommended used cars to commute to you first job


cute hamster in toy car adorable rodent pet
Photo: The News Wheel

Give him the right food

Instead of using a water bottle for hydration, remove that hazard and supply a couple of slices of a moist snack like melon or cucumber for hydration and nourishment. The metal tip of a bottle could be dangerous if the hamster is thrown against it during the ride. Plus, it’ll leak the whole time and you’ll wind up with a soaked cage of sloppy shavings.

Stay quiet, and play relaxing music

Even with all these precautions, your hamster or gerbil will probably be a bit anxious in the car. Provide him with emotional comfort by minimizing loud noises that could further panic him. Speak softly and don’t yell or raise your voice when talking to other passengers. Don’t place the cage too close to a speaker. If you must, cover the outlet with a pillow to muffle the noise.

According to Pet Educate, small animals actually enjoy listening to music, as long as it’s gentle, soothing instrumental material that’s played at a low volume. Put on some new age tunes, smooth jazz grooves or piano concertos. Just make sure it doesn’t lull the driver to sleep, too!

Bring a towel for shade

You don’t want the sun to shine on the cage all day, so bring a towel to cover the cage and keep it out of the direct sunlight. Just make sure there are still plenty of openings for fresh air. Covering the cage also alleviates more stress on your hamster by reducing environmental visual stimulation.

Don’t open the windows

Stick to the air conditioning to keep the cabin cool while you’re travelling. Don’t roll down the windows or sunroof on the road. The blasts of wind can scare and potentially harm an animal that size.

Don’t leave him in the car

If you take a stop for lunch or a hotel stay overnight, bring the cage with you (make sure you’re staying at a place whose policy allows this). Don’t leave the little guy in the hot or frigid car, because temperatures can get extreme in that enclosed, glass greenhouse.

Hamsters, gerbils, and other rodents are easily transportable and make great companions on road trips. Just make sure your pet enjoys the adventure as much as you do.