Traveling With Your Rats Some situations call for you to travel with your rats. The following are tips on how to make that travel safe and comfortable. Short Car Trips (Such as to The Vet)... For safety and security, you should transport your rats in a small travel cage. We recommend a few nice travel cages in the "Reviews" section of this site. Put fresh litter in the bottom of the travel cage. If taking a rat to the vet, it is a good idea to bring his cagemate along for the ride. With the two of them together, they will be less stressed. Use an old towel to drape over your rats travel cage before bringing it out to the car. This will help shade your rats from the sun. Plus the darkness will help them feel more comfortable. Draping a towel over the cage is also a good idea if the weather is cold out, to help insulate your rats from the chilly air. Maintain a comfortable temperature in your car. If it does not have air conditioning, and it is a hot day, place a frozen, tightly sealed plastic water bottle of frozen water in the cage with your rats to help them keep cool. (Never use commercial soft ice packs. Rats can chew these open and the gel inside is toxic!) If it is cold out, be sure to warm the car up first before bringing your rats out to it. Keep the radio volume low or off all together. If possible, seat belt your rats' cage down, or place it on the floor. Keep in mind that your rats might chew anything they can reach through the bars, so use the towel as a barrier to protect seat belts, seats, or whatever else they could reach with their little teeth. Never leave your rats unattended in the car. If you have to take a taxi, make sure they except rats in their cab. We don't recommend a public bus. Do not let your rats loose in the car. Long Car Trips... You will need a larger travel cage, large enough to house a small water bottle, food dish, and small sleeping den. If their normal enclosure fits in the car, use that. Put fresh litter, water, and food in the cage. Take the water bottle out while the car is in motion because it will leak. Stop to give your rats frequent water breaks along the trip. Bring extra food and litter if necessary. Use an old towel to drape over your rats cage before bringing it out to the car. This will help shade your rats from the sun. Plus the darkness will help them feel more comfortable. Draping a towel over the cage is also a good idea if the weather is cold out, to help insulate your rats from the chilly air. If possible, seat belt your rats' cage down, or place it on the floor. Keep in mind that your rats might chew anything they can reach through the bars, so use the towel as a barrier to protect seat belts, seats, or whatever else. Maintain a comfortable temperature in your car. If it does not have air conditioning, and it is a hot day, place a frozen, tightly sealed plastic water bottle of frozen water in the cage with your rats to help them keep cool. Also bring a cooler full of many more, so that you can switch them out as they melt and become warm. (Never use soft commercial ice packs. Rats can chew these open and the gel inside is toxic!) If it is cold out, be sure to warm the car up first before bringing your rats out to it. Keep the radio volume low or off all together. Never leave your rats unattended in the car. Do not let your rats loose in the car. Trips on Planes... Call around and find an airline that will let you travel with your rats under your seat or within your cabin. Only some will. Make sure, though, that they don't limit you to only one rat if you need to take more than one on the trip. We don't recommend that you have your rats travel in the cargo hold. You should avoid this at all costs. Get the permission, in writing, for your rats presence on the plane, so that you can avoid possible problems on the day of the trip. Airlines sometimes require very specific travel carriers. Be sure to find that information out. Your rats will need a travel cage large enough to house a small water bottle, food dish, and small sleeping den. Put fresh litter, water, and food in the cage. Bring extra food and litter if necessary. It is best not to tell your fellow passengers that you are keeping rats under your seat. It could be VERY problem causing. I good tip is to hide the cage in a bag, such as a duffle bag or gym bag. Just don't seal the bag up or your rats won't get any air! You should also lock the cage door with a small lock to prevent accidental openings. Be sure to take the key with you! Motel/Hotel Stays... Be sure that the motel/hotel you would like to stay at specifically accepts rats. "Small animals" does not always include rats. You wouldn't want to be left out on the street. Never let your rats loose in the Motel/Hotel. Try not to leave your rats unattended in your room, but if you need to, be sure to pad lock the cage shut, and leave a note warning the cleaning staff so that they don't freak out when they spot them. For motel/hotel stays, you will need a larger cage to give them room to play. Fill it with toys, a sleeping den, litter, have a full food dish, and water bottle. If your rats' regular enclosure is portable enough, just use that. Be sure to bring enough extra food, and litter to clean the cage. Staying at Friends/Family... Be sure that your friends/family are aware that you are bringing your rats along, and that they are ok with that. You will need a larger cage to give them room to play. Fill it with toys, a sleeping den, litter, give it a full food dish, and water bottle. If your rats' regular enclosure is portable enough, just use that. If they have kids, it is a good idea to keep the cage pad locked for safety. Do not let your rats loose in their home. Be sure to bring enough extra food, and litter to clean the cage. When Possible, Leave Your Rats at Home... If it is only for a couple days, and your home is temperature controlled, you can leave your rats to themselves. Add another water bottle to the cage, and provide a large amount of rat blocks for them to eat. Make sure everything is full, and functioning, secure all the cage doors, have the cage clean, and your off. They should be fine. Going for longer than a couple days? See if you can find a friend to come over to your home and pet sit your rats, or hire a professional pet sitter. Be sure to give them all the care information they will need as far as feeding, cleaning, handling, and leave behind plenty of food, treats, and clean litter for the sitter to use. Provide them with not only a number where they can reach you at, but also your vet's number in case of emergencies and instructions on what to do. You want to provide the sitter with everything they will possibly need so that your rats are well taken care of. Can't find someone to come to your home? Maybe a friend will take your rats into their own home. Again, you want to provide that person with everything that they will possibly need so that your rats are well cared for. Another option is to use a boarding facility that will except rats. Some vets will also board rats for a price. Be sure that the place you choose will keep your rats in a quiet room away from barking dogs and meowing cats. Again, you want to provide that facility with everything that they will possibly need so that your rats are well cared for.