Hamsters can become like family in a short period which explains why many of us devote lots of time to provide the best care for them. However, when you have to go away for a vacation or mini trip without them, seeing to their feeding, hydration, and other important needs can become a real problem.

This article looks into how to feed hamsters when on holiday by providing the exact blueprint to guarantee your furry babies never run out of food and essential supplies such as water during your time away.

We also look at potential causes of trouble such as water bottle malfunction and offer foolproof ways to nip it in the bud. Let’s get started.

How to Feed Hamsters When on Holiday

Provide enough food to last throughout the duration of your planned time away and then some. If your hamster eats 10g of pellets daily, for instance, make sure the food bowl contains about 60g of pellets for a 3-day trip in case of emergencies that extend the duration. Also, fit 2 extra water bottles in the cage to ensure continuous access to water even if one or two of the bottles malfunction.

Even after sorting out their food and water needs, having someone checking in on them daily can be lifesaving in many instances. These little guys may suffer ill health at any time and things can go downhill rather quickly from there.

Having a human checking in at least once daily could minimize the risks of coming home to dead hamsters especially if you’re raising babies or elderly breeds.

Automatic Hamster Feeder

They automate the process of feeding your hamsters specific amounts of food for more than a week in your absence. Automatic Hamster Feeders can be a great option when traveling without your furry pal as it guarantees that the little guys will only get access to their daily required quantities of food.

This may prevent hoarding in their cheek pouches and food wastage in various capacities while also minimizing the risk of overfeeding and resultant obesity.

What Do You Do With a Hamster When You Go on a Vacation?

While you may be able to get away with leaving your hamsters alone in the apartment for a 2-3 day vacation, situations that demand spending a considerable amount of time away can arise. Here are a few options to consider when you’re planning a longer vacation, business trip, or family emergency.

Friends or Family Members

Friends or family members can be a logical choice when you need someone to pop in once a day to check in on your beloved furball. Neighbors may be a great option too due to their proximity to your home or apartment.

Either way, it’s always a great idea to have someone that is currently raising or with past experience keeping one of these guys because hamsters can be a little pesky. If you have no luck finding a current or past hamster parent, a responsible adult or teen may be able to get the job done after a crash course in Hamster Parenting 101.

Professional Pet Sitter

If you live in a large city, the chances of finding a professional pet sitter to pop in daily can be high as long as you’re willing to pay the fees involved. They typically charge by the hour and often demand a daily minimum set of hours to look after your little guy.

If you go down this route, be sure to provide the pet sitter with vital information about your pet hamsters to prevent surprises during their together. Remain in touch from time to time to be sure that your little guy is healthy and safe for your own peace of mind.

Exotics Pet Boarding

An exotics pet boarding service can be another solid option for hamsters when traveling on a vacation. This is often recommended if you have no one to look after them and are unable to find a professional pet sitter to provide what your little guy needs.

These boarding services will take your hamsters in and offer them 24-hour care for as long as desired when you pay the charged fees. They often have dedicated staff that provides everything from feeding to water changes as well as other essentials for your pocket rodents to thrive in your absence.

Although the hamsters will miss your presence, pet boarding services can often act as a reliable resource to get their needs taken care of till your return.

How Long Can You Leave a Hamster On Vacation?

You may be able to leave your hamster alone at your apartment or home for a maximum of 2-3 days without human supervision and interaction.

Longer periods of absence will require neighbors, friends, family members, or professionals to pop in daily to check in on the health and general well-being of the hamster. The daily visits can also come in handy for feeding, water bottle refills, and cage cleaning.

How Do You Make a Hamster Boredom Breaker?

One of the easiest boredom breakers for hamsters is to stuff healthy food such as seed mixes in Willow Balls and toss them into their cage. The little guy gets to work immediately by trying to dismantle the stuffed Balls to get to the seeds.

Another popular boredom breaker is to cut triangular holes on each side of used toilet roll tubes, stuff them with some orchard hay, and place a couple of different hamster seeds in them. Then stuff with additional hay, add more seeds and leave them in the hamster’s cage.

This keeps the little guy busy as he’s forced to rip at and destroy the toilet roll tubes to get to the food.

A third easy-to-make boredom breaker requires buying a Kabob from the local Walmart. You need to get a couple of fresh fruits and vegetables, string them on the Kabob, and hang it in the hamster’s cage as he is forced to work to get to the vegetables.

Chewing at everything hanging on the Kabob gets the hamster busy and eliminates boredom.

Do Hamsters Get Lonely at Night?

Hamsters may get lonely at night during their wake periods in your absence. This is especially true if you’ve been spending some time together each night just before going to bed. Boredom breakers can minimize how much your little guys miss you during the time away from home.

Do Hamsters Explode on Planes?

Hamsters cannot explode on planes and any such reports are nothing more than a myth. Feel free to travel with them if the airline permits and the pets are not illegal in the destination city or country. You could even sneak them on the flight in many instances.

How Do You Sneak a Hamster on Planes?

You may be able to sneak a hamster on a plane by getting a travel cage that fits the little guy as well as his food and water. The travel cage should fit in your carry-on while you check-in at the airport like normal without trying to draw attention to yourself.

Some industry players such as Frontier Airlines allow passengers to travel with pet hamsters anyway but always double-check to be sure they’re legal in your destination. You don’t want to end up on the wrong side of the law upon arrival.

Can Hamsters Fly On Planes?

Frontier Airlines are one of the few that allow passengers to fly with small pets such as hamsters for a fee. Rivals like Aegean Airlines and Japan Airlines allow these guys to be flown in the cargo section for extra fees.

Is it Safe to Bring a Hamster on a Road Trip?

Hamsters are safe accompanying you on a road trip but try to make the journey as comfortable as possible by keeping them in a familiar cage. Make sure they’re given healthy treats along the way and remove water bottles to prevent dripping during bumpy parts of the journey.

How Much Does it Cost to Fly With a Hamster?

Frontier Airlines charges $100 for hamsters to fly with their human owners. This fee may be paid during check-in or when booking the flight. Other airlines may charge different fees depending on destination and other factors.

Can You Bring a Hamster to a Hotel?

Sneaking a hamster into a hotel is relatively easy as most won’t even notice so feel free to check in with your little guy in any hotel in the world. No need to search specifically for hamster-friendly hotels as long as you don’t make it obvious that you have one of these adorable furballs with you.

Conclusion: How to Feed Hamsters When on Holiday

Always make sure hamsters have enough food and water supplies to last them the entire duration of your time away when leaving for short holidays. In addition, fix 2-3 water bottles in the cage to prevent death from dehydration in case one or two of the water bottles is unable to dispense water due to malfunction.

If your vacation is meant to be longer, consider enrolling a friend, family member, or neighbor to check in on your hamsters daily. Feeding, water bottle refills, cage bedding cleaning, and other vital chores can be promptly sorted in your absence.

You may also hire a professional hamster sitter or take the little guy to small pet boarding houses to get them looked after while you’re away.