If you travel often, you may wonder if you can take your hedgehogs with you. Generally, hedgehogs are not fussy pets and are low-maintenance. However, these small mammals can get easily stressed. Therefore, one can wonder if they travel well.
While the best place for a hedgehog is home, they travel well if planned and executed the right way.
As hedgehogs are sensitive animals, they need some extra care and attention. Perhaps the most important thing you must consider when travelling with a hedgehog is temperature control. Hedgehogs cannot survive cold or hot temperatures; therefore, it is necessary to maintain the perfect temperature.
Do Hedgehogs Like Car Rides?
Many owners avoid making travel plans if their pets do not like them. However, sometimes it becomes important to travel, and leaving your hedgehog behind may not be an option. If you are travelling by car, you may wonder if your hedgehog likes car rides.
Your hedgehog will not be tagging along if the care environment is safe and it is well-fed. You can create an environment similar to your hedgehog’s cage, so it does not feel out of space. In addition, getting your hedgehog to become familiar with your car is also a good way to ensure that the car ride will be smooth.
Hedgehogs are sensitive to new smells, so it should not be much of a problem if they are already familiar with your car.
Whenever you do have to carry your hedgehog in your car, it is best to use a travel bag. You can place the travel bag in the back seat of your car. By securing the travel bag, you will ensure that your hedgehog is safe and does not around as you drive.
As aforementioned, hedgehogs are sensitive to smells; therefore, you can let your hedgehog get familiar with the travel bag. In addition, you can practice putting your hedgehog in the travel bag, so you face no problems as you travel.
It is important to regulate the temperature of your car according to your hedgehog’s preference. You must ensure that your car is not excessively hot and it is not too cold. The entire journey, it is essential to maintain these temperatures. Otherwise, your hedgehog may suffer health-wise.
What Do You Do with a Hedgehog When You Go on Vacation?
If you are planning some time away for a vacation, you may need to make arrangements for your hedgehog. Which road you choose to take with your hedgehog depends on the kind of vacation you are having.
For instance, if you are going for an overnight trip, leaving your hedgehog alone should be no problem. It is important to give your hedgehog enough food, so it does not get hungry. Moreover, it would help if you also made arrangements for freshwater for your hedgehog.
However, if you are travelling for a long, you can get a pet sitter. You cannot leave your hedgehog alone for too long as its food will run out, and so will the water. Moreover, you need someone to clean the cage and ensure that the room is at the perfect temperature. You can either get your relative, friends or neighbours to look after your hedgehog.
Also, you have the option of getting a professional pet sitter.
Leaving your hedgehog behind in good hands is important. Therefore, whoever you get to look after your hedgehog, you must ensure that they are trustworthy and compassionate. Moreover, the pet sitter you have must have experience dealing with hedgehogs and be comfortable carrying one. While you may wish that your hedgehog is with you, it will be happier, staying home in its comfort zone.
Before leaving for your vacation, you must ensure that you have a sufficient supply of bedding and food. In addition, you must check the heat source and ensure that it is working well. Moreover, it can be helpful to have an additional heat source if something goes wrong with the current one.
You can give your pet sitter a checklist of things they need to do when they visit your hedgehog, so the instructions are clear. In case of emergency, you must let your sitter know about the vet so they can get your hedgehog treated if need be.
Apart from getting a sitter, you can also look into some home boarding options for your hedgehog. With home boarding, someone will constantly look after your hedgehog, and you will be assured that it is well-taken care of. However, hedgehogs can take a while to adjust to their new surroundings and become stressed. Many breeders also offer boarding services, and as they have experience, it is a sound option.
But, your hedgehog is likely to catch fleas or anything contagious from the other hedgehogs.
If you do not wish to take your hedgehog with you, you can also board it at the vet office. Many veterinarians offer boarding services. You will need to take your hedgehog’s supply to the vet. If you choose this option, you do not have to worry about your hedgehog’s health or injuries as they will be tended to. Again, however, your hedgehog will need some time to adjust to the new surroundings. In addition, the vet may be too loud for your hedgehog and may cause it to stress and become nervous.
Summary
You may sometimes wish to travel and wonder if you can take your hedgehog with you. Hedgehogs are low-maintenance pets and can travel well, given the conditions are in their favour. If you are travelling with your hedgehog in a car, you must ensure the environment is according to their preference and the temperature is not too hot or cold.
If you do not wish to take your hedgehog with you can get a sitter to look after it until you come back. Moreover, you can also board your hedgehog with the vet or someone who offers these services. You can choose whichever option works best for you and your hedgehog.
