Travel Tips Wanted

[ILoveMyMonsters]

So my birthday is coming up....

And I might be going to visit one of my closest and oldest friends in the next state about two hours away for a couple of days. I have a few concerns about leaving Gauge behind with all of the craziness with her recently so I asked if I would be able to bring her. The family I would be staying with said I could. Gauge seems to handle car rides pretty well (she mostly sleeps ) and is well-accustomed to strangers thanks to her intense socialization these last few months.

I would love to bring her along, but I have never travelled this far with a BTS, so I really have no idea what to do here. What do I do about food, water, space, lighting, etc.? Any concerns with her potential MBD I should know about?

Also: if I have to leave her behind after all, would this be okay? I would only be gone for a couple of days, but you can probably understand my concerns. Which of these is a better option?

[Susann]

If you are only gone for a few days, Gauge will be perfectly fine at home. He would be fine even if you were gone longer. He might even just appreciate a break from all the vet visits and what-nots, to just sleep and hang out in his tank while you’re gone.
Don’t know how old your kids are—if you have kids, if whoever is left at home will leave Gauge alone, if you trust them enough while you’re gone...
If he is alone, and his source of heat is on a dependable timer, I wouldn’t worry about leaving him.

Being away from his home for a few days may be more stressful for him, but you would have to be the one to decide which way to go.

IF you take him, the hardest thing will be a heat source that supplies his travel-container with a warmer and a cooler side, so he can regulate and be comfortable while away from the home he is used to.
I have a small UTH, and would use that as the heat source, but it would depend on what type and size of container you will be using. I definitely recommend bringing emergency heat-pouches for unexpected occurrences.
Next, something that allows him to comfortably burrow and hide.
A small bowl to offer him water.
I wouldn’t worry about food too much. Maybe bring his favorite “snacks” or “treats” and spoil him a bit?

You know Gauge, and will know what would be best.

[Bird_Brain]

I agree with Susann. Id leave him at home. For a trip that will last a couple days, it is not worth the stress to make him travel with you.

[Alioop]

Ditto to what Brad and Susann said. As long as your heat & light sources are on timers and he's got fresh water, he'll be just fine.

[Jeff]

I wouldn't even think about taking her! Why give yourself something to worry about. She will be much happier and feel more secure at home, so if you take her it will be for YOU. I would just leave her at home, and enjoy yourself.