Bring chinchilla on car trip or board?

[Maia]

Next month my bf and I are visiting his family about 6 hrs away. We do this probably about 3 times a year and I was curious if I should bring Sebastian with us or board him at our vet. It would only be for 2 nights... I dunno, I have mixed feelings about it. I would love for him to be ok traveling with us. What would you guys say?

 

[alli713]

When I was in college and went home for a weekend I would bring all my chins with me. That was a 5 hour drive. They all did fine.

I just have small temp cages that I bring along and set up for them for the weekend, and they travel in travel carriers. I have the metal Ryerson ones, but a plastic cat carrier works fine too.

 

[Parkerspetchins]

Your chin would be fine for the car ride, just don't have the heat cranked ). You would need a carrier for the ride of course and then a place for your chin to live while visiting. I think traveling with would be preferable to boarding personally. The best case is when your chin could stay in its own environment with someone coming once or twice daily to feed, water, and check on. That involves the least amount of stress.

 

[Stackie]

I am gearing up to move about 3 hours away from home. Anytime I come back home to visit, my chins will be coming with me. I would be way too paranoid to board them at a vet office or something, where the techs/animal caregivers may not be very chin knowledgeable.

I am buying collapsible cages from Quality Cage and setting them up anytime I visit home. Chins usually do pretty well with travel, everytime I have travelled with one they have slept most of the way.

 

[starleomach]

Many chins do fine with trips like that. I know often when my sister comes to visit they bring their chinchilla here

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

I have traveled to visit my sister in Santa Fe, a 6 1/2 hour drive from Denver with 3 chins.

I put their fleece tube in a cat carrier and they snuggle up and sleep the whole way. I keep a spare cage at my sister's so that they have a spacious home into which they can move when we arrive.

I have also boarded them at the vet. Cost is prohibitive -- $39.50 per day per chin, but a 2-for-1 special for the 2 that are cagemates anyway.

AND, finally, I have a friend who also has chins with whom I exchange chinsitting chores when we need to go on vacation or out of town for a long weekend.

I like to take them with me when I can, though...

I think that you will be fine taking them with you. :thumbsup:

 

[sarah999]

When I first bought my chin, it was a two hour drive from the breeder, and she was in a completely new environment! Yet, the car ride didn't stress her out at all...I would just recommend placing a few of their favorite chews and a special treat to keep them occupied during the drive!

 

[Ippo456]

Tubby has been in 11-hour car rides with me and he's a pro at it!
Just make sure there's lots of food, toys, and water in the carrier cage.
And don't keep the heater in your car too hot.
I also try not to crank up the music if there's a chin in the car.

 

[Maia]

Thanks everyone! Then he shall be going with us! I am glad he will be fine during the trip. I will let everyone know how it goes next month!
I would leave him at home if I had someone I trusted to come by and check on him, but I haven't lived in OH that long and don't really know anyone.