Are you planning on traveling with bearded dragon on vacation with you? Here’s a guide that will help you prepare for the trip. Our pets, at some point, become a part of our families, and you care for them the same way you care for everyone else in your household.
Hence, it’s not unusual for people to take them along on their travels. However, don’t get carried away by the excitement of having them with you.
Taking pets on vacation can be very tedious, especially if your companion is a reptile. If you can’t find a pet sitter or simply want to share the joy of your journey with your pet, this guide is for you. Here’s everything you need to know about traveling with bearded dragon.
1. Stock up on essentials
You need to buy food for your beardie when you begin packing for the trip. There are plenty of online stores that have Dubai roaches for sale. You can also head over to your local pet store to look for that.
Next, you need to prepare for any medical emergencies during your trip. Make sure you get a first aid kit and stock up on medicines that your reptile might need. Traveling can put a lot of stress on your bearded reptile, so you should expect some inconveniences.
You should also take some UV bulbs with you. Your beardie needs their daily dose of UV, and it might not always be convenient to leave them outside when you’re on the road.
You might not find food and medicine for your dragon while traveling with bearded dragon. The place you’re going to may not have the food you’re looking for. Just carry your own stash. It’s best for your reptile.
2. Visit the Vet
You will have to head over to the vet for a health inspection before you leave. After all, you should at least make sure your bearded dragon is well enough to make the trip.
When you see the vet, provide specific details about your trip. Tell them where you will be going, how you wish to travel, and what the weather’s like there.
This will give your vet a good idea of how to care for your pet during the vacation and how often you should feed them. They might also be able to prescribe you some supplements in case your pet needs some extra help.
3. Look for Flights That Allow Reptiles
If you plan to fly, you should be wary when booking flights. The majority of airlines do not allow pets on board. There are, however, some exceptions.
There are a few pet-friendly airlines that you can find. A quick Google search will do, but if you want to be extra sure, talk to someone at the airport who can provide you with some options.
Although you won’t be allowed to carry your bearded dragon in the actual seating area, you will be allowed to leave them in cargo. This brings us to our next point—preparing their carrier.
4. Prepare Their Carrier
As I’ve mentioned before, traveling can greatly stress out your beardie. Even though they may seem sturdy, they can still get injured during the trip. This is why you need to prepare their carrier properly.
Start by getting a reptile carrier or enclosure. It’s best not to use boxes; they might break at any time, especially if you’re traveling by plane. The enclosure should be big enough to allow them to move but not so big that they become a hassle to carry around.
Then line the insides with soft cloths or foam. This will prevent them from getting banged up. Also, be sure to place a blanket over their carrier, keeping them calm throughout the trip.
Use Proper Heating Equipment
The best form of heating is heating packs. They’re easy to carry and are least likely to hurt your beardie. Be careful, though, these heating packs can get hot, and if you put in too many of them, you might end up overheating the enclosure.
Use two warmers at first. Wrap them in cloth and leave them in a corner where they won’t come in direct contact with your reptile.
You can use a temperature gun to adjust the heat by taking out or placing more packs accordingly. Your target is to keep the temperature within 70 to 90℉.
5. Find Hotels That Can House Reptiles
Hotels are pretty strict when it comes to pet policies. They don’t want any damage to their property (and pets do tend to do that sometimes), and they don’t want to disturb the other guests.
Do some research to find pet-friendly hotels at your destination. If they don’t have much information about bringing pets on their website, give them a direct call or send them an email.
Be sure to mention that you will be bringing a reptile. Usually, hotels are okay with cats and dogs; reptiles, however, are exotic pets and may cause a bit of a panic.
6. Traveling by Car
If you are taking a road trip, you will have to take the same precautions as you would when taking a flight. However, if you’re going to use a car, you don’t need a full-blown enclosure or carrier.
You can simply make one using a large cardboard box. Just make sure to poke some holes in it to be well ventilated. To secure your beardie’s enclosure, you can strap it in with the seat belt.
Lastly, you will have to adjust the temperature of your car. You still need to do this, even if you’ve already prepared heating for them inside the enclosure.
The external temperature will eventually affect the temperature inside. Before you set out, take some time to adjust the temperature. Ideally, you should keep it between 70-75℉.
In Conclusion
Caring for a pet takes a lot of effort, and as a member of our family, it’s our responsibility to ensure their comfort. Traveling with bearded dragon can be difficult; they need UV for vitamin D and their surroundings to be at the proper temperature. However, it’s not impossible—it takes a few tries, that’s all!
I hope that all reptile parents will be able to follow this guide and enjoy a wonderful vacation with their beards. Good luck!
Also Read:
How To Travel Cheaper and Better!
