Hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, bunnies and all our little fury friends can be wonderful pets. It can be a difficult task on a child to have to leave their furry friend behind during an emergency. If you decide to take it with you, here are some tips.

Try and have a travel cage, something a little smaller and easier to carry. It will also make it easier on your hosts if the cage is as unobtrusive as possible. Remember, most motels and hotels frown on “rodents” as a guest.

Clean your cage just before leaving and put plenty of food in the cage. Leave the water bottle empty, as it will drip excessively in a moving vehicle. Put a few pieces of carrot or potato for moisture in the cage. Carry plenty of regular food in a zippy bag for freshness, and a couple of bottles of the water you normally give your pet, enough for 4 days. This helps eliminate the intestinal stress of a water change and helps prevent diarrhea.

Cover the cage to help prevent stress and drafts.

If you decide to leave your pet at home, here are the precautions you should take.

Make sure the cage is clean with plenty of extra bedding. Since you may not be home to clean it for a week or more, make it extra thick.

Put plenty of dry food in, no fresh fruits or veggies as they will mold and draw bugs.

Put an extra water bottle in the cage for water.

Cover about the top of the cage with something waterproof but not directly on top. Sort of a tent to keep out water, but allow air in.

Place the pet on top of a chest or piece of furniture incase of flooding.

Most small pets can go 5 to 7 days on their own if they have to. It may be a little smell, and we may be hungry, but he should be fine

Good luck!