Moving beardie cross country

[Elmontare]

Ive been thinking about moving a few states over...but getting my dragon there safely is the only thing holding me back. Shes about 5 years old and has been through 4 different owners including the original pet store and i dont want her to have to go through another. She recovers from stress fairly quick and hasnt been sick since ive had her (1.5 years). She has a very set daily routine too.

Im just wondering what would be best for her? Take her with me or find a new owner? What kinds of things would help her stress/health wise on a long bumpy car ride? Right now shes plastered on her cage door begging me to let her out for nap time.

 

[CooperDragon]

I'd take her with for sure. She's part of your family =)

They all react differently to car rides, but my experiences have been positive. Start off with a bunch of cross town trips to see how she does in the car. If she seems to handle it well, she should be fine on a longer trip. I used to take Cooper on 4-6hr rides across state lines fairly regularly. He loved to sit on a towel up on the dashboard and look out the window. Sometimes he'd get squirmy but I put his leash on him so he couldn't get into much trouble. I used a big shoebox for him to lay down in. I wrapped a couple of hand warmers up in towels to keep them warm (always in the towels, not touching Coop). When he got tired he'd just lay down in the box and go to sleep. I could even stop for dinner and he wouldn't budge (he was a heavy sleeper). Some folks have small animal carriers that work well for more skittish dragons.

 

[Elmontare]

Thats a good idea taking her for a few rides prior. I have an older jeep so its by no means a smooth ride...but she sits fine on my shoulder when i walk around, i guess as long as her feet have shirt and skin to dig in to lol. i read in another post about the animal carrier being small and making them feel more secure so ill probably go that route. My dragon, as far as ive been told, really wasnt exposed to anything outside her cage so the few times ive tried taking her outdoors she was in panic mode. Im just worried since shes kind of getting up in years that the stress will impact her more negativly.

 

[Elmontare]

Thats a good idea taking her for a few rides prior. I have an older jeep so its by no means a smooth ride...but she sits fine on my shoulder when i walk around, i guess as long as her feet have shirt and skin to dig in to lol. i read in another post about the animal carrier being small and making them feel more secure so ill probably go that route. My dragon, as far as ive been told, really wasnt exposed to anything outside her cage so the few times ive tried taking her outdoors she was in panic mode. Im just worried since shes kind of getting up in years that the stress will impact her more negativly.

 

[CooperDragon]

I'd still give it some trials. Put her in a small carrier with some towels/blankets to make her nice and comfy and drive around town a bit and see how she feels. I'll bet once she's used to it the longer trip will be OK. You can then set her tank up the same way at your new place and she'll feel right at home.