104 replies to this topic

[HoppingHammy]

^That's a positively awesome kit you have there, Jess. Well done on making those carriers and thanks for sharing! I really need to do this and have a better plan put into place as well. This is such a great post of information for everyone to refer to.

 

So how often do you think you would replace the food in those baggies? I love the idea of having them organized and divided like you do, but I might try and find some small, flat tupperware that will keep it airtight for a bit longer. Maybe I'll put everything in a tote or backpack.

[jess32247]

Hehe thanks HH! Glad you like it!

 

I've been wondering the same thing about keeping the food fresh as well, I'm actually not sure how often I'll replace them.. hmm. What would you recommend? Would every couple of months be to too far apart, like three/four times a year? I feel a bit guilty to say that I'm not sure how long there food keeps, I really should be more aware of that. :( After a while (hopefully not before the baggies go bad!), I'll feed them the food in it so I don't waste anything.

 

I think I'll start freezing the main bag of food and just keeping a container of each kind handy for daily feedings then, too. :P

Edited by jess32247, 29 October 2013 - 01:55 PM.

[HoppingHammy]

Hmm, it's hard to say actually. One reason I wondered is because I've oftentimes used those same bags to put snacks in on a road trip (stuff like chips and crackers) and within a week or so, it became stale and lost it's crunchiness. I worried that the same thing might happen with the hamster food, but of course I don't really know. It's just speculation.  

 

It's hard to think of another flat, convenient container that wouldn't take up much room though! Unless all of the bags would be put into one, very flat and small tupperware? Perhaps that would extend the date a bit (and the crunchiness. )

 

I'm really excited to make up a kit now, thanks to everyone's great ideas!

[nebit]

Hmm, it's hard to say actually. One reason I wondered is because I've oftentimes used those same bags to put snacks in on a road trip (stuff like chips and crackers) and within a week or so, it became stale and lost it's crunchiness. I worried that the same thing might happen with the hamster food, but of course I don't really know. It's just speculation.

 

On the otherhand, if it were an emergency, and that was all you had, you'd probably still eat the stale/no crunchy chips and crackers. It doesn't have to be perfect, just edible in an emergency.

 

It is probably possible to find some smaller air-tight plastic containers like in the plastic ware section though, yes. That would fit easily in a go-bag or small emergency supply box.

[Quill]

I would like to find something like this, but with a lid and more compartments:

 

 

 

It is fabric, so it can be folded up and stored next to the cages... and if it has multiple compartments, each compartment can contain one hamster. It doesn't weigh a whole lot, and it would be very easy to scoop up each hamster and put them in, close the lid, and then run out of the house in an emergency. It's also soft, so if you're in a big panic and you slam the lid down and run, it's unlikely that you'll hurt any of your hamsters.

 

I know it doesn't have much space, but that is what makes it practical for use in an absolute emergency. In a situation where there was notice, something like this would not be necessary. The outsides could also contain a small amount of food and a little bottle of water, just enough to last for one night if necessary. I don't want a big, bulky carrier because I'm sure once I got to the hotel or wherever I'd be staying, I'd just be able to ask for some boxes to put my hamsters in temporarily. 

Edited by Jolty, 31 October 2013 - 10:13 AM.

[nebit]

I would like to find something like this, but with a lid and more compartments:

 

 

 

It is fabric, so it can be folded up and stored next to the cages... and if it has multiple compartments, each compartment can contain one hamster. It doesn't weigh a whole lot, and it would be very easy to scoop up each hamster and put them in, close the lid, and then run out of the house in an emergency. It's also soft, so if you're in a big panic and you slam the lid down and run, it's unlikely that you'll hurt any of your hamsters.

 

I know it doesn't have much space, but that is what makes it practical for use in an absolute emergency. In a situation where there was notice, something like this would not be necessary. The outsides could also contain a small amount of food and a little bottle of water, just enough to last for one night if necessary. I don't want a big, bulky carrier because I'm sure once I got to the hotel or wherever I'd be staying, I'd just be able to ask for some boxes to put my hamsters in temporarily. 

 

Something like that made of plastic maybe, like a bin with dividers. Most hamsters I've known could chew straight through those fabric dividers in no time flat (I have several items of clothing with holes in the pockets to prove it), not at all what you want to be dealing with while trying to navigate traffic out of a potential emergency situation.

[Quill]

True, although I'd also want it to be soft in case they were getting josstled around. 

[H&A]

Perfect! Thats amazing! so helpful i will make an emergency kit right now lol! I have a beta keeper (Bigger than a critter keeper) would that be okay but i can ALWAYS grab her cage because its a Habitrail Retreat so i can quickly grab that and it has all her appliences  Anyways Thanks for the Awesome Artical!        

[tbiM20]

This is a great thread! I saw just the thing for multiple hamsters, these "snap and stack" Christmas ornament boxes that are basically plastic compartments that latch together, and the top has a lid. I'll probably grab me one and drill a few holes in the sides.

 

[Nibbles<3Meia]

Another thing to do would be keep the travel case with bedding in it, a water bottle attached, and a food bowl. If you have multiple lets, you could put BOB bags in lunch bags and stuff them in your bookbag. You should also out BOB bags in your car. You never know when you're traveling and something happens, or you may not have time to grab a BOB bag and your pets.

[((HammiesRMyLife))]

Thanks so much for the tips!

[Emma&Chester]

Last week I had to evacuate my two hams (as well as 4 guinea pigs, a rabbit, three cats and the dog) as oir neighbours kitchen went on fire and our house is joined onto theirs. Quite a stressful time as I had literally nothing prepared for an emergency, my dad took the dog, my sister shoved all three cats into a freinds house across the way (just In case they got ran over by a fire truck in a hurry, or ran back into our house or the neighbours) and had to wait with them to make sure they were ok, and my other sister and mam took the hams while I was left evacuating a rabbit and four guineas that were not being at all cooperative (to make matters worse, I only had two hamsters carriers which was fine, but I only had one small cat carrier for the piggies and none for the rabbit so it was quite a tight squeeze for The pigs, and I had to carry Holly under my harm).

Thank god there was no serious damage and all got out fine .

I'm Definetly going to use these tips, thanks for sharing! The bag idea with the supplies in it sounds like a brilliant idea, and certainly something I'm going to do!

Edited by Emma&Chester, 02 January 2014 - 11:46 AM.

[hamsterhollie]

wow great info!!!!! i never really thought of this! thanls!!

soory for the secon comment but you could also make up a binder that you coud put on the BOB that can telll u anythi ng u may need

[HamsterHuey]

I've been wondering what to do with him if there's an emergency, thanks!

I normally keep a carrier with bedding and a hideout in it ready because it's just simpler that way. I used to keep baggies of food ready, so that I could store the main food, but I found that especially in hot weather, the bags would pop open and the food would go stale. I'll definitely continue keeping my carrier and food at the ready.

[hamsterhollie]

my emergency happoned th9is morning...i put him in a box and covered the box with a blacket and put a lottle but of food i dont grab my bug out bag becaause it was 700 in the mornig and i was frazzled but we were only out of the house for 2 hours and he did absoloutly fine