Moving across the country with beardie

[lovemylittleyoshi]

Hello,

Next month I'm moving across the country and I'm bringing my beardie, Bella. She is 5 years old, healthy, and tame. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced moving their beardie. How can I keep her calm during the move and make it less stressful? I'm moving in my car and I will need to stay in a hotel for 2 nights. Her viv will be in the U-Haul and I'm worried about the lighting and heat she will need. I plan on keeping Bella in the car with me. Please keep unhelpful criticism and/or rude remarks to yourself as I am only looking for helpful ideas and tips during this transition in my life. Thank you.

 

[AHBD]

Hi there...Bella should do fine on your trip. If you get a large plastic storage tote you can set her up in it in your hotel room with a heat lamp over the side for a few hours of warmth. Don't feed her much at all, she'll travel better with less food in her tummy. You can keep her in a small gym bag or pet carrier lined with newspaper in the car, with paper towels handy for messes. She will be O.K withoit UVB for a couple of days. Beardies are very hardy and she may be a bit stressed for a few days but should be fine nonetheless.

 

[CooperDragon]

I agree with AHBD. In my experience they tend to travel very well and it shouldn't be a problem to drive with her for a few days. A bin of some sort will be fine while you're at the hotel. Maybe bring an adjustable lamp stand to hold the lights over the bin or stop a few times a day for natural sunlight if the weather allows it. Maybe try some short drives around town to see how she handles the car rides and get a feel for if you'll need a carrying case for in the car or if she'll stay relatively calm during the drive.

 

[lovemylittleyoshi]

Thank you AHBD and CooperDragon! Do you think she can hang out on the dash if the sun is shining for some warmth? Will she be ok for 2 days without food? If I bring an adjustable lamp to put over the tote for a few hours in the hotel, is it ok if it's only the heat lamp and not the UVB? I'm sure everything will be ok but I want to be prepared.

 

[AHBD]

You're welcome. She'll be fine for 2 days with no UVB....they brumate for months without it. And I would not let her ride on the dash personally. If she were to suddenly be scared and leaped down, she could even end up under your feet....it's just too risky. Or if she had to poo and then you have to pull over ....imagine it rolling down in your vent ? Best to keep her in a carrier with the sun shining on that spot.

 

[CooperDragon]

As an adult, she should be fine without food for a couple of days. You could bring a small bag of greens perhaps to offer as a snack but I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you can provide some time outside at a rest stop for natural sunlight it will easily take the place of artificial UVB. Even as little as half an hour would be great. Again, an adult can go for a few days without UVB without an issue so don't worry about it too much, just do what you can. You can put her on the dash on a towel or something if you want. Sometimes they like looking out the window. I wouldn't do it unless you have someone in the passenger seat to keep a close eye on her though. Otherwise you may just want to put her in a box or something on the passenger seat and let her hang out in a more enclosed space so you don't have to worry about her roaming around while you're focused on driving. As long as the car is at a reasonable temperature (above 70 or so) she will be OK at car temps.

 

[SDragon]

Not sure why you thought people would be mean, it's a perfectly reasonable question. I'd avoid having him out, there are so many things that could go wrong and it could be stressful as well as very hot if he's on the dash. Likewise I'd be concious if you have air con of it not being too cool (it's also very drying).

I'd probably stop feeding a couple of days before and make sure he defecates before you drive but is well hydrated. Use a plastic tub and put it in a footwell to stop it moving if possible (not near a draft, or fan though.) Within that I would include a small dark hide that is fixed in place at one end, only just bigger than him, I'd place him in here but make it so he can enter and leave. This way he has a secure place, and if at any point, the roads becoming winding or rough, he can be in there and not slide about.

If you can set up a portable basking lamp for a couple of hours in the evening that would be great, I'd only offer water no food and at night only. If you are worried about the car being cold, portable heat packs can provide a hot spot, but I'm not sure you will need it. Don't leave him in the car parked up, if a dog can overheat so easily in a parked car think about a small lizard. For that reason being able to cover the tub with something to avoid a lot of attention when you are stopped off might be good.

Good luck with the move

 

[lovemylittleyoshi]

Thanks so much everyone! All your advice is greatly appreciated. In addition, I'm also bringing my cat. This will definitely be an interesting trip but I know it will all be worth it in the end.
Thanks again!