Top 7 Tips for Safely Transporting Your Pet Reptiles by Car

Are you concerned about traveling safely with your reptile?  Read the article to know everything about transporting your pet safely by car.

Traveling with a lizard might seem like a daunting task if you do not know the essential facts. You must prepare beforehand to make it easier. However, if you’re still looking for the right gecko species to keep as a pet, consider good choices.

Whether you’re planning a road trip, relocating, or making a quick tour to the vet by car, here are some tips and guidance on how you can ensure your Household Pets such as your reptile arrives safe and sound.

1. Preparation for Travel

When you are planning to move your reptile by car, make sure you get prepared well. Make sure to take your pet to the vet 10 days before your scheduled departure for a checkup and to get a signed health certificate. In some states, you might need to present this document before they allow you and your pet across its borders. You can also hire a professional service for pet relocation to ensure your pet’s safe and comfortable journey.

It will be better if you can adhere to your reptile’s routine before, during, and after your road trip. This can help you minimize the travel-related stress your reptile might experience. Also, make sure you bring your pet’s food and drink when traveling.  If you run out of its regular food, remember to order some from trusted sources such as TopFlight Dubia Roaches.

2. Using a Comfortable Container

While moving your pet, you need to carry it in a comfortable state. You can carry it either in its usual enclosure or in a different transporting carrier. Get expert transport help with Perth courier services.

Using Its Usual Home

Carry your reptile using its usual container or tank, while you are traveling, especially if you stay at the destination for a longer period. But you have to be cautious of a few things.

First, look inside the container to see if there is anything that could fall or move. Remove those objects. Next, if you’re keeping your pet in a tank with an open top, be sure there’s nothing nearby that could fall into the tank. Because usually on a long trip, you are most likely going to experience some bumps in the road and of course, you do not want your reptile to be injured by anything.

Lastly, make sure the container is kept in a safe position where it will be the least likely to be moved. Also, make sure that the carrier is not going to slide around the car. Put your reptile in a smaller and more secure container to minimize the possibility of injury because of the car’s movement.

Transporting in a Carrier

Select a soft-sided or hard-sided container if your reptile does not have a usual home or you are not willing to carry a glass container.

The size you choose for the travel carrier relies on your reptile’s species. Typically, the container needs to be large enough for your little friend to move around inside. But make sure it is not so big that your pet can get thrown around inside the carrier at the time of transportation. You can trust this same day courier service London.

You can also use a sealable plastic carrier. But make sure it has air holes. Or you can just punch some air holes in it. If your reptile is of a larger breed like iguanas you can carry it in a plastic cat or dog carrier.

3. Preparing the Carrier

You have two options:

Using a Grippy Material

This can be a paper towel, newspaper, or pads. You can also place blankets on the bottom if you like, though this is not suggested in the winter. Make sure to line the carrier’s bottom with wet towels if your reptile needs a moist environment and dry towels while it doesn’t. This can also provide your reptile with some extra cushioning and comfort while traveling.

Warming It If Necessary

Depending on the species of your reptile and the weather, you might need to control the temperature of your pet’s carrier. It can also depend on the duration of your journey. You might like to use heat packs or hand warmers to emit heat for several hours. Popping an extra blanket inside your pet’s carrier can be a good idea for insulation. You can also wrap the container with old jumpers or blankets. For shorter journeys, using a hot water bottle for keeping them warm might do the work.

4. Making the Carrier Comfortable

When you are using a travel carrier, make sure to buy it at least 1 week earlier. This is because you need your reptile to feel at home and relaxed in the carrier so that you may minimize its stress. Maintain its routine to make it feel comfortable.

5. Packing the Necessities

The number of travel necessities will depend on the duration of your car trip. When you are just traveling for a short drive to the vets, you will only need the basics. However, if you are planning on a long car drive, you might need to pack more, keeping any emergency in mind.

• Food and water
• Cleaning supplies
• Bedding, blanket and towels
• Thermometer
• Harness
• Spray bottle
• Heaters – hand warmers, hot water bottles, or heat packs
• Vet’s number

When you are planning on traveling somewhere far and staying overnight, then you may need the following as well:

• Heat-mat
• UVB or basking light
• Hideout

6. Being Disciplined on the Day of Travel

On the day of travel, make sure you get prepared thoroughly.

• Prepare your pet’s carrier as mentioned above.
• Secure the carrier’s position so it does not have any risk of falling in your car.
• Try to minimize the stops so that you can reach the destination sooner.
• Check up on your reptile from time to time while in the car to avoid any emergency.

7. Maintaining Post-Travel Facts

After reaching the destination, return your reptile to its normal environment or try to recreate it as accurately as possible. Look out if there are any signs of sickness after transporting your pet in the car. If you suspect your reptile is sick, do not wait and bring him to a vet as soon as possible to get properly checked out and avoid any further complications.

Final Words

Whatever your pet is you always need to consider its habitat while you are traveling with it anywhere for its proper safety. When traveling with your pet reptile in the car, you must need some early planning and preparations. But, you can do it stress-free by following the tips above. Make sure to secure your pet properly so that it does not get injured. Being a little cautious can make everything go smoothly without any hindrance.

Have a safe journey!