Traveling With Reptiles

Do you have a pet reptile? If so, your scaled pal probably doesn’t leave home very often. However, sooner or later, you will need to transport your pet. This can be a bit tricky! Read on as a local Las Vegas, NV vet offers a few tips on traveling with a reptile.

Longer trips present several challenges. You may actually want to consider boarding your pet if you’re going on vacation. However, if you do decide to take your scaled buddy with you, you’ll need to do plenty of research. Many airlines and hotels don’t accept reptiles at all. If you’re crossing any borders, you’ll need a health certificate. Schedule a veterinary appointment within about a week of your departure.

We know, some reptiles don’t really have much of a routine. However, your pet will still be accustomed to specific light, and perhaps temperature, cycles, as well as specific meal times. Stick to this schedule as much as you can. This will help reduce the stress travel puts on many pets.

Choosing the right carrier is very important. You may be able to use a storage tote. Be sure to put ventilation holes in the lid. A hard-shell dog or cat carrier will work for larger lizards or turtles. You’ll want to add something to line the bottom, such as newspaper, paper towels, butcher paper, or pads. Make sure to remove anything that could fall or roll over onto your pet!

Maintaining proper temperatures is crucial to your reptile’s health. Fortunately, in Nevada, keeping a reptile warm probably isn’t going to be a big issue in summer. If you’re just making a quick trip, skip the AC. However, when it’s chilly, you’ll need to take steps to keep your pet warm. One option is to fill a sock with uncooked rice and microwave it. Wrap it in a towel, and put that in the carrier. You can also use a hot-water bottle or hand-warming packs. Make sure it isn’t hot enough to burn your pet.

Put the travel carrier in a spot where it isn’t in danger of sliding around. You can put it on the floor in the back seat. You may also be able to secure it with seatbelts.

As your local Las Vegas, NV vet clinic, we are here to help! Please feel free to contact us anytime!