There’s an abundance of advice available when it comes to taking your four-legged friend along with you on road-trips, but what if your friend has two legs and feathers? Not as much information, for sure. Admittedly, a large part of the reason for this is that traveling by car is stressful for most birds. However, if, after doing proper research, you find that hitting the road is your best or only option, here are a few tips that might help:
Small pet carrier or cage? Some people recommend transporting your bird via a small pet carrier. Others suggest a cage. I’ve tried it both ways, and honestly? It really depends on your bird’s temperament and what’s convenient for you. This may sound vague, but it’s true. Some birds find a dim, shaded pet carrier — lined with a small towel — cozy and comforting, as well as more stable. Others prefer a cage that’s more aerated and lets light in, as well as allows somewhere for them to perch.
If you decide to go with a cage, remember to remove dangling toys that might injure your bird (or risk tangling a foot in). Also, empty the water dish so that your pet doesn’t get splashed during the trip — getting soaked during car-rides is no fun! Also, check to see how the cage fits in your backseat. If it doesn’t fit snugly, you might have to strap it in for extra security.
Go on practice-runs. Before your road-trip, take your birds with you on short car-rides. Take this opportunity to see which is the best seat to place their cage, keeping in mind your blind spot and your ability to view your rear window clearly. Bring your birds to work, or to the local park, and reward them at their destination with treats, sights, and positivity. This helps them associate car-trips with good experiences and adventure, and eventually they will perk up with interest whenever you bring out the bungee cords.
Speaking of which. . . .
Bungee cords. These are incredibly helpful. Hook these around the bottom part of your bird’s cage to prevent rattling trays and shaky bars. They cost very little to get at your local hardware store, but you’ll find them to be one of the best investments in terms of travel. My birds feel so at ease that they’re able to remain on their perch without problems while we’re on the road.
(Related to that, you might also want to consider a Prevue Clean Life Cage for a less messy car and hotel room, as well as Comfy Perches, which are not only easily cleaned and adjustable to keep your birds’ interest, but are also secure enough for them to hold on to in a moving vehicle.)
Have a go-to bag. Whether it’s a short trip that only requires a small amount of bird food, or a major journey that requires you to pack up your worldly belongings, you don’t need to lug your entire supply of cuttlebone into every (pet-friendly) hotel room. Designate a single bag to contain birdie essentials, so that all you need to do at the end of each day is grab the cage, the go-to bag, and your own overnight bag before checking in.
Examples of items in the go-to bag (all in their own small plastic baggies): three-inch-long pre-cut millet, pellets, seed, cuttlebone, any necessary medicine. Also recommended: newspaper for lining, small towel, cage cover, water bottle or squirt bottle, tissue paper. Remember, it’s a go-to bag, so don’t over load it with extras.
Take plenty of breaks. Don’t set off on the road until after your birds have eaten their food and drunk their water. Allow plenty of time in your schedule to park and stretch your legs; this also gives them time to eat, drink, and sleep, which they won’t be able to do much of while traveling. Help keep their weight up with millet, and let them enjoy their surroundings — hey, they should have their share of the fun too!
I’ll add additional tips as they come along. If you’ve traveled with birds by car before and have some advice of your own, feel free to share. Happy travels!
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