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Post by angelfish on Apr 22, 2011 11:04:34 GMT -5
We're heading 2 hours away to Maryland this weekend. I convinced my husband's cousin to let us bring the furbies but they'll have to sleep in the garage. (Partly because she thinks they'll stink and partly because she's allergic to cats so we're not sure how she'll react).
The low temperatures are supposed to be in the mid-50s. I assume that with lots of warm blankets, they'll be fine overnight, am I right? My concern is more about the day time since it's supposed to his 78 during the day, but I figure I can bring the under their outside covered patio if need be.
I have a 1-level superpet cage (which used to be a 3 level) for them to share for the weekend and two 8 panel playpens that I going to set up for play time. Plus, his cousin has her own yard so they'll actually get to explore outside for once!
I was planning on bringing a litter box, lots of toys (some cage safe), enough frozen food for 2 days plus extra, bedding, and their halters in addition to the cage/playpen. Does it sound like I'm missing anything?
I'm also worried about the car ride down there. None of them were carsick months ago when we brought them home, but they're more active so I'm wondering how they're going to take 3 hours in a carrier. How would you set up a litter box in a carrier? The carrier is fairly large (small dog air crate) but I don't see anyway to secure it.
I THINK I've thought of everything. It might be a little stressful, but I think they'll enjoy is more than being trapped in their cage for the entire weekend with only 30 minutes a day of play time (that'll all the petsitter can give them).
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Post by fearless on Apr 22, 2011 12:17:19 GMT -5
You could get some of those little clamps... uhh let me search Google... www.ted-kyte.com/3D/Pictures/Paper%20Clamp.jpgif it's a wire crate like I think it is, otherwise you could drill holes in the litter box and get some wire and tie it down through the little air holes of a carrier. Either way would work for the litter box. I know when I was in Texas with my fuzzies, I got an ice pack, froze it and put it inside those sleeper hammocks and turned it upside down so they couldn't get in there with it. Mine loved it. You can also freeze water bottles and wrap them in wash clothes or towels if you think it might get too hot. Bring some towels or blankets to cover all but one side of the carrier in the car... I had a dog who got car sick if she could see out, we use to face the one side we didn't cover to the middle or inside of the car, she couldn't see out and she never got sick, it's weird but it worked. So cover all but one side of the carrier and face it so they see inside and not out.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2011 12:46:22 GMT -5
I use velcro to secure a litter box to walls, so it might work in the crate Have a great time and take lots o pictures!
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Post by fearless on Apr 22, 2011 12:49:00 GMT -5
Ohh velcro is smart! You're nifty Jackie
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2011 12:51:20 GMT -5
Hehe, why thank you Be careful, I know some ferrets (like Katts Koda) try to eat the Velcro. Definitely not good. Mine have no interest in it.
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Post by angelfish on Apr 22, 2011 13:20:04 GMT -5
Drilling holes in the litter box might be the best. My boy loves to eat velcro, unfortunately. fearless, I'm not sure what you mean by turning the sleeping sack upside down. Did it have a zipper or something?
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Post by fearless on Apr 22, 2011 13:39:34 GMT -5
No it's a pocket hammock? Yes that's the word that escaped me I turned the pocket hammock upside down and put the ice pack inside it. This prevented them from touching the ice pack and causing freeze burns to their skin and fur.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2011 14:44:54 GMT -5
One thing that helped us on our last trip was to use disposable plastic plates and spoons so we wouldn't have to worry about washing the dishes in a hotel or in someone else's kitchen if they didn't have the right soap/sanitation equip. etc. One less thing to worry about on a trip! We have a double cat carrier and the dishbin style boxes fit perfect in there with a small blanket, food, and water bottle. The litter box never moved around since there really wasn't room to. The air slots on the sides are just right for hanging a hammock. A hammock really helps to absorb the bumps on the road too
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Post by Sherry on Apr 22, 2011 19:26:36 GMT -5
You might also want to take along a water bottle for the trip, if you can attach it to the carrier. Some pure pumpkin for any stress poopies, as well as some rescue remedy to help alleviate any stress.
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Post by angelfish on Apr 23, 2011 7:24:26 GMT -5
Sherry, thanks for the reminders about pumpkin and RR. It wouldn't have occurred to me to bring pumpkin. I also rubbed a drop of RR on their ears tonight and I'll do it again before we get in the car later today. Wow. I thought the car was full before with all the stuff for 2 humans + the dog. It's jammed pack after adding all the furbie stuff.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2011 8:49:54 GMT -5
Hehe, my mom jokes that I pack more for one ferret than I do for myself.
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Post by Sherry on Apr 23, 2011 10:18:34 GMT -5
It's like taking kids ;D
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Post by hails on Apr 23, 2011 15:18:09 GMT -5
I'm sure they'll be fine on a 2-hour trip! My kids had to go on a 3-day trip from Texas to Alabama and then stay a week in a motel. I just put a puppy pad to line the carrier in case any water spilled and then placed the litter box in it. I hung a hammock up for a place to sleep and I didn't hear a peep out of them. They'll probably just go right to sleep and then be ready for playtime and exploring when you arrive.
I also find that it's generally cooler outside when there's a nice breeze going. If you feel it's getting too hot in the garage, I'd set up their playpen in the shade and maybe mist them down to cool them off. Great excuse to sit under the patio and sip on lemonade, too!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2011 19:00:52 GMT -5
Paulie loves traveling. When I switch his blankies to the carrier, he goes in and out as I finish packing. When I get close to the carrier, he runs in the carrier, buries under a blanket and peeks out like "Is it time yet?"
I love it!
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