Roadtrip Checklist

[Luci]

okie dokie, so im heading home for a week. the drive is about 12 hours and Rob and I will be taking turns driving. Gizmo is coming along cuz my favorite pet-sitter just graduated and moved back to Nebraska.

I've been told chins do alright in long car rides. My car has possibly the coldest AC possible and we have a carrier for him, so I'm not too worried about that.

I'll be taking his pellets, hay, bottled water (for the trip), medications I have on hand (Metacam, Baytril, and Reglan) as well as critical care, lifeline, and acidophilus. I have no idea what else to take.

I'm thinking extra towels for his carrier, some toys...
but is there anything else?

 

[Stackie]

Looks like you got it covered ) I am paranoid and bring a cooler with frozen water bottles just in case my car a/c should stop working or something. Chins do well with travel..I load my boys up in their carriers with a handful of hay and apple twigs and they are good to go.

 

[ticklechin]

This may sound silly to some, but when I take them anywhere when its going to be hot, I plot out along the route the possible Petco/petsmart/ chain pet stores stores right off the freeway so in case the a/c stopped working I could stop in there and wait for help. I also had the blue ice in the cooler just in case, one for each carrier.

 

[mishellyshel]

I line the cage with a nice thick piece of fleece, toss a hay cube & a thick apple stick in there and I'm on my way. Extras that I pack are obviously food, hay, wood, a smaller temporary set up that includes at least a fleece tube and a couple ledges. and all the meds and supplements i give them. just remember to NOT put his carrier on the floor of the car and try and strap his carriers in a seatbelt if possible. i would also carrier a cooler of either frozen water bottles and/or cooler packs. And dont put a water bottle in the carrier, it will just spill all over. have fun!

 

[3CsMommy]

Stuff to chew, if he does get nervous during the stops or as you get started. I usually hide a bunch of twigs and chews in the fleece in his travel cage so he can rummage them out as he wants. Usually Crash just falls asleep, though.

 

[firestar]

i'd bring your chiller if gizmo enjoys it - one of my females absolutely loves hers, so it'll be going in her cage when we move.
how do you guys go about buckling in cages without having somebody chew on the seat belt? i have a new car & have no problem with animals being in it, but want to keep my seat belts in one piece.

 

[PetoftheDay]

Having a layer of cardboard between the belt and the cage or sliding the belt through behind where the water bottle is hung if it's in a corner and the chin can't get to it or even sliding the seatbelt through a somewhat flattened paper towel tube all should be good ways to keep the belt from those curious teeth, but keep the cage securely belted in place.

Luci, you sound well prepared. If you plan on any rest stops where folks might see you with your chin, you might bring along a few copies of an "About Chinchillas" data sheet for curious folks or people with kids!

 

[Luci]

thanks so much for all the advice! i'll get the cooler tomorrow and bring along a few pieces of fleece. tonite im doing laundry so all his things will be nice and clean! he doesnt seem too thrilled about this lol.

i dont foresee any health complications while on the roadtrip, but do chins ever show signs of anxiety? im not even too sure what im asking, but it was just something that crossed my mind. i want to make sure he's as comfortable as possible.


Pet of the Day,
that is such a cute idea! where can i get those data sheets?

 

[Marie5656]

Pet of the Day,
that is such a cute idea! where can i get those data sheets?

I have seen them at PetCo...available for free. Or you can probably just print something up yourself, with cute chinnie borders,

 

[PetoftheDay]

Yes, I was thinking of the ones at PetCo, or you could make your own, and maybe include info from the "Chinchilla FAQ" section here!

Basics like:

What is it?

Where do they come from?

What do they eat?

Then you can get as detailed as you want!