TRAVELING WITH A BIRD

Weather it's to a relative's house or a bird-friendly hotel; more people take their birds on vacation. A variety of reasons contribute to this trend. "Pet sitters often don't know a lot about birds and if the bird is left with a veterinarian, there is the potential for contracting a disease, so people take their birds with them, "The bird is a part of the family."

As with their human family members, bird owners don't want anyone to feel left out of vacation time. "A lot of our customers suggest that they take their birds because of separation anxiety". Even when they leave the bird with a friend, they find that the bird has an attitude when they come back. It might be a little punishment. Bird owners also are very bonded to their pets. They want to take the bird with them. Vacationing with a bird is not like taking the family dog or cat. More details and planning are involved with a bird. Here are a few ideas to help your customers during the vacation season.

Planes, Pains and Automobiles

Boarding versus traveling? "More people board birds than travel with them. Travel does put stress on a bird, but it depends on how the bird does. You want to do what's best for the bird. If the bird is a pet, it will generally do okay. Know a bird's personality before attempting to travel with it. More people travel with their birds in a car than take them on a plane. That gets much more involved. The people who take their birds traveling are people going to visit family. They don't usually take them to a hotel when they are going to be out sightseeing most of the day.

When traveling in a car, placement of the bird is important. People are not familiar with the fact that their birds will be in the car with the air conditioning on, so they can't sit them right in front of the vent. Place birds in a safe position where a moderate temperature is maintained, and keep them out of drafts.

Know where you're going. If someone is traveling with birds, they should check with the Department of Agriculture within the state lines they will cross. Some birds are not permitted in some states. You do not want your bird confiscated in the middle of a trip!

Housing and Safety

When traveling by car, should a bird be loose on someone's shoulder or contained in a cage or carrier? This year there are quite a few different designs in car perches. Some of them suction cup to car windows and a car seat-type perch is available; however, we still recommend the traditional kennel cab for a bird's safety.

Encourage customers to use carriers for all travel. "A carrier is very important". If an accident should happen and paramedics need to have access to the car, the minute they open the door, the bird will escape if not contained. A carrier is a very convenient way to travel with a bird. Some of them have T-perches on top so that the bird can come out of the carrier once the destination is reached."

Do everything you can to reduce stress. One customer had a terrible time taking her bird to the vet-it would bite everyone-but when she used a clear carrier; the bird took a nap on the way home. Companion birds like to see their owner. But if someone doesn't have a transparent carrier, they should at least face the cage toward them so that the bird can see them."

In addition to a carrier, bird owners need a cage for travel. Bird owners should purchase a cage that's feasible to take with them, but not too small for the bird. It should be large enough for the bird to climb around and have a toy or two. I like to use a cage rather than a carrier because it has a tray that pulls out, a wire bottom and seed cups. It should be the bird's second home. We remind customers to familiarize a bird with a cage and to take the bird riding in the car five to 10 minutes a day, especially if the bird hasn't gone on vacation before. Let the bird get used to everything, so the stress is not as hard on it. Most birds will not have a problem if it's done this way.

You can't just stick a bird in a carrier and take off, like you might with a hardier animal like a dog or a cat. Preparation is key. We recommend that customers bottle the water that their bird is used to drinking. When they stop at gas stations and restaurants, often there will be different things in the water, such as a different chlorination level. The bird tends to do better with its regular water.

Take care of everything ahead of time. Make sure a bird is fully groomed, in terms of wings and nails, before going on the trip. Don't get stuck in an emergency. We remind bird owners to locate an avian veterinarian in the area where they will be going prior to departure. You can call a local zoo and ask who they use. In case of emergency, make sure to take copies of the bird's health papers from your veterinarian. Be aware of the problems a bird can encounter while traveling. A spray bottle should be taken on the trip, especially with summertime traveling, so they can mist the bird if it becomes overheated.

Be equipped for anything. We highly recommend [owners] take a little first-aid kit with them. The kit should include styptic powder, a basic antibiotic and something for dehydration. You certainly don't want a bird in a strange place and notice something wrong and then have to run around trying to find these items.

More Travel lips

The bird's favorite toys are essential, too. Acrylic toys are good for travel because they don't fall apart and leave a mess in the car. They are very durable, so they will last the trip, and owners won't have to go out searching for another toy.

Keep the bird distracted. A music box toy is very effective, once the bird has had it for a while. The bird will be familiar with the music it plays and will give it a sense of its own home. Parrots learn by basic association, so the music brings back their safety and comfort. 

Travel To-Do

• Allow a bird to become familiar with a carrier, and take short trips in the car to prepare the bird for the long trip.
• When traveling by car, place a bird in a safe place away from vents and drafts.
• Use a travel carrier for safety and convenience. Face cage carriers toward the owner or use clear carriers to reduce stress.
• Carry on the trip the water the bird traditionally drinks.
• Include the bird's favorite toy(s).
• Have a bird groomed-nails and wings clipped-prior to departure.
• Be prepared for emergencies. Bring a copy of a bird's health papers and a first aid kit that includes styptic powder, a basic antibiotic and something for dehydration.

Reprinted by Pretty Birds from Pet Product News by Nikki Mustaki

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