How to go on holiday and leave hamster

[Em_]

Hi, i need some advice on what to do if you need to leave a hamster at home for a week incase that ever happens. If you got a friend to come
i’m and check on it, what do they need to do and what would I have to do for the hamster if i was ever in that situation?

 

[RainbowBrite]

I would write a list which has your hamsters vet (in case they need to be seen in an emergency) and then instructions for your friend such as what food to feed, to ensure fresh water is given and the bottle or bowls washed. One week should not mean your friend needs to do any cleaning. I would ask the friend to check daily if it were me.

 

[Maz]

I have a pet sitter come to the house if we go away for a week. Same idea as your friend coming in. She comes a few days before we go so I can show her everything - where the food goes, how to change the water in the bottle and make sure it's working ok etc. How to open and close the cage and make sure it's closed properly

I then leave everything out and labelled on the table - the hamster food, any daily extras and a sheet of paper saying how much food to give each day - where the veg is in the fridge and how much of that to give each day. That kind of thing. It's easier to have it all on paper in case they forget.

Someone needs to come in every day, even if it's just to put out food and water. Hamsters know when they feel abandoned so I think they need to know there will be a routine every day. Ideally at the same time every day - eg 6pm. We found if she feeds early enough - like 5 or 6pm the hamsters are not inclined to try and jump out of the cage. Usually they hide away when it's a strange person coming in to feed and only come out again when I get back! The petsitter is always disappointed not to see them.

On the sheet of paper I add info like - tap the bottom of the water bottle daily to check it's letting water out. And check to see if the veg has been eaten from the day before. If it has - no need to worry.

I ask her to text me or call me if she has any concerns and then make a decision about if a vet is necessary or what to do. But yes leave a vet number in case there is an emergency and they can't get hold of you.

 

[Maz]

Oh and I also ask her to talk to them for a few minutes, whether they see her or not - so they don't feel too abandoned.

 

[Maz]

One thing I didn't think about that could be an idea - is leaving a pet carrier set up they can use - in case of an emergency vet visit - and a tube for getting the hamster out of the cage and into the pet carrier (explaining about putting a smelly treat in the cage so the hamster walks in). I have never had any issues so far though! I think a week is long enough though. 10 days maximum.

 

[Em_]

I would write a list which has your hamsters vet (in case they need to be seen in an emergency) and then instructions for your friend such as what food to feed, to ensure fresh water is given and the bottle or bowls washed. One week should not mean your friend needs to do any cleaning. I would ask the friend to check daily if it were me.

ok thank you