What To Bring

[Rebecca1122]

When I go to pick up my chinchilla (in less than 2 days!) from the breeder, what should I put in the carrier?

I just have a plain cat carrier.
I'm also going to put the extra fleece that I have on the bottom of the cage so he is more comfortable.

Anyway, what should I bring in my carrier for my chinchilla? Hay, food, water, chews, any of that?

I am going on Friday night, so there could be traffic. It could take anywhere from 30 minutes - 1 or 2 hours.

(When I was visiting the breeder to pick out my chin it took almost 3 hours to get there because of traffic. But it was also the weekend of 9/11, so they were stopping cars and such.)

 

[GorillaJTA]

When I use my carrier, I usually just use some fleece in the bottom and throw some sticks in there. Some people put hay, but not usually food or water (too much of a mess).

 

[ChinnyMom]

i would say a few apple twigs/sticks and a handful of hay. fleece for the bottom of the carrier and you're all set! chins quite often will just go to sleep during a car ride anyway. a water bottle will just drip and make a mess (he'll be fine without water for the ride).

don't forget to put him out of direct flow from the air conditioning vents. the back seat is safest, with the seatbelt around the carrier and threaded through the carrier handle if you can.

 

[danilinn]

i just layered the fleece so it was fluffy and brought along some apple sticks for Jonesy's hour ride home. she chewed her stick for about two minutes while i talked to her, then fell asleep on my hand. (she has a soft carrier with zippers, so no escape route.)
but you should wear a hoodie, 'cos you might have to run the air conditioning for him!

 

[javachin]

You should be fine really. Sometimes I'll put in a hay cube, but that's about it food wise. The only thing I'd be worried about is making sure the AC in the car works. (Not sure what the weather is like over there.)

 

[AznTiger]

When I went, I had fleece, small handful of hay and some apple sticks. my chins were checking everything out until it calmly fell alseep. Im sure they were nervous so I even kept the music low so Tum Tum could sleep peacefully.

The back seat is better, but on my ride I left Tum Tum in the front with the seat belt. Im excited for you! I was like crazy when I 1st got Tum Tum and then Bam Bam! the excitement never ends!! Good lucky!!

 

[ticklechin]

Short trip like that just the fleece and a couple of sticks will be fine!

 

[Rebecca1122]

Okay, thanks, everyone.
I will probably just put fleece on the bottom and bring a few wood sticks. And the breeder will give me some things, too.
I will definitely turn the A/C on high for him, though the breeder's house wasn't too cold. But, it has started getting cooler over here in NYC. It's supposed to be 70º when I pick up Oliver.

I'm so excited! I can hardly wait!! But first I have to study for a math exam and get through that tomorrow before I can get my chin

 

[Rebecca1122]

I'm leaving in a few minutes to go pick up Oliver!
I just got the cage stocked with food, hay, wood, etc., and put water in my lixit water bottle, only to find that it won't stop leaking!! I also ordered a back up water bottle, but they ran out!
It keeps leaking a drop or two at a time constantly.
Should I just get a new water bottle at the pet store tomorrow??

 

[ChinnyMom]

i've had a good experience with the glass superpet bottle. got it from petsmart.

 

[ticklechin]

Congrats! Have a fun trip getting your new fur-kid!

 

[Rebecca1122]

I got him!!

The breeder said you could leave him alone for a few days with extra food and water and such and it would be okay for a few days. Is that ok?
I never thought so.
Because we have to go away next weekend to our other house. Should we leave him or take him?

 

[ticklechin]

I would not leave a chin alone for more that 24 hours without someone checking on it. I would take him, but then again I am biased since I take mine all over the place!

 

[ChinnyMom]

the breeder meant to not interfere with him too much the first few days, other than checking in on him to ensure he has food/water/hay, so that he could settle in without being stressed out by you. i'm very sure she didn't mean leave him all alone while you go away for a few days. any way you might be able to stay behind that weekend or have somebody check in on him? or could the breeder chin sit for you? if your chin wasn't newly home today i would say take him, but that could be additional stress during the period of him getting used to his world being turned upside down by going to live with you.

 

[Dewdrop]

the breeder meant to not interfere with him too much the first few days, other than checking in on him to ensure he has food/water/hay, so that he could settle in without being stressed out by you. i'm very sure she didn't mean leave him all alone while you go away for a few days. any way you might be able to stay behind that weekend or have somebody check in on him? or could the breeder chin sit for you? if your chin wasn't newly home today i would say take him, but that could be additional stress during the period of him getting used to his world being turned upside down by going to live with you.

I agree. I use to travel with mine frequently but we had them at least a month before we attempted it the first time..............

If I can't take them with, 24 hours is about my cut off. Before I hire someone Could they go longer? yeah, probably....But for peace of mind knowing their safe, it's worth it.

 

[Rebecca1122]

Okay. There isn't anyone I know of who can care for my chinchilla this weekend, and the breeder told us she was going away.

 

[ticklechin]

I have brought brand new rescues on road trips with no problems, I would take him.

 

[Rebecca1122]

Okay. I am going to take your advice and take him. He is starting to seem more comfortable with me than before and I would hate to leave him anyway He is too adorable!

 

[ChinnyMom]

just want to confirm that your other house has an air conditioner, right? if not, take yours along, as much of a pain in the tookus it may be to haul it back and forth.

 

[ArmyWife]

I agree with ChinnyMom, the glass superbet bottle is the best bottle I've found. I have one for each Chin and it never leaks! You can find them at petsmart and petco