Travelling with an exotic pet requires more planning than travelling with most dogs or cats. Birds, reptiles and other unusual companion animals can be sensitive to changes in temperature, routine, handling and surroundings, and some species are subject to wildlife licensing or interstate movement requirements.
Before planning a trip, the first question should be whether the animal needs to travel at all.
For a veterinary appointment, house move or permanent relocation, transport may be unavoidable. Taking a pet on holiday is different. Many exotic pets cope better when they remain in their normal enclosure with an experienced person caring for them. Familiar temperature, lighting, food, hiding places and routine can be less stressful than several hours in a vehicle followed by an unfamiliar environment.
If an animal does need to travel, preparation should begin well before the day of departure.
Decide Whether Travel Is Necessary
Owners sometimes assume that taking a pet with them is better than leaving it behind. That is not always the case with exotic animals.
Birds vary greatly. A well-socialised parrot that is accustomed to transport may cope with a short trip reasonably well. Another bird may find the same journey extremely stressful.
Reptiles are particularly dependent on environmental conditions. Their body temperature, digestion and activity are affected by external temperature, so a long journey can become a health problem if the transport environment becomes too hot or cold.
Older animals, animals receiving treatment and pets with chronic health problems may also be poor candidates for unnecessary travel.
Consider the length of the trip, weather, destination, type of transport and the individual animal. If the main reason for taking the pet is simply that nobody is available to care for it at home, arranging an experienced carer is often the better option.
Prepare the Carrier Before the Journey
A suitable transport container is essential.
The carrier needs to prevent escape and injury while providing appropriate ventilation. The design will depend on the species.
Bird carriers should be secure and simple. A stable perch may be suitable for some birds, but the setup should minimise the chance of falling or being struck by objects moving around during transport. Loose toys, heavy bowls and other items that can swing or move should generally be removed for the journey.
For reptiles, transport containers need to maintain a safe environment without giving the animal enough space to be thrown around during sudden braking or cornering. Snakes and some other reptiles may require secure inner containment as well as an outer transport box.
Guinea pigs and other small mammals need good ventilation, secure footing and protection from temperature extremes.
Check doors, clips and lids before leaving. A frightened bird or reptile escaping inside a vehicle creates an immediate safety problem for both the animal and the driver.
If the pet is not accustomed to its carrier, introduce it before the trip where practical. Allowing an animal to become familiar with the carrier can reduce the number of new experiences occurring at once on travel day.
Temperature Control Is Critical
Temperature is one of the main risks when transporting exotic pets.
Vehicles can heat rapidly, even on days that do not initially feel particularly hot. Never leave an exotic pet unattended in a parked vehicle.
Reptiles present an additional challenge because different species have different temperature requirements. A reptile that normally has access to a basking area and a cooler zone will not have the same ability to regulate its temperature inside a small transport container.
Plan around the weather. In warm conditions, travel during the cooler part of the day where possible. Keep carriers out of direct sunlight and ensure there is adequate ventilation.
Cold-weather transport also needs planning. Heat sources should never become hot enough to burn the animal, and an animal should not be placed in direct contact with a heat pack or similar device. The temperature inside the transport container should be monitored when there is any concern about heat or cold.
The same principle applies when you reach the destination. A reptile cannot remain in a travel container for an extended holiday simply because the trip itself is over. Suitable heating, lighting, humidity and enclosure conditions need to be available at the destination.
Our guide to seasonal care for exotic pets has more information about temperature, humidity and environmental changes affecting birds, reptiles and other exotic pets.
Keep the Journey as Calm as Possible
Transport is stressful for many animals even when it is handled well.
Secure the carrier so it cannot slide around the vehicle. Keep noise moderate and avoid unnecessary opening of the carrier during the journey.
Some birds are calmer when part of the carrier is covered, provided ventilation remains adequate. Other birds may prefer to see their owner. There is no single arrangement that suits every bird, so previous experience with that individual animal is useful.
Reptiles generally benefit from being left undisturbed during transport. Repeatedly opening the container to check or handle the animal can increase stress and creates an escape risk.
Do not sedate an exotic pet for travel unless a veterinarian who has assessed the animal has specifically recommended it. Sedation can affect breathing, balance and temperature regulation, and the response to medication varies between species.
Food and Water Need Some Planning
Feeding during travel depends on the species and the length of the journey.
A short veterinary trip is quite different from an all-day road journey. Some animals can safely go without food for the duration of a short trip, while others have much more frequent feeding requirements.
Do not make a major diet change because you are travelling. Take enough of the animal’s normal food for the trip and the time away, particularly if the diet contains specialised pellets, supplements or foods that may be difficult to buy at the destination.
Our article on exotic pet nutrition explains why feeding requirements vary considerably between species.
Water also needs to be considered. Open bowls can spill in moving vehicles, leaving an animal wet and the carrier without usable water. How water is provided will depend on the species and journey length.
For longer trips, discuss feeding and hydration with your vet beforehand if you are unsure.
Plan the Destination Before You Leave
Arriving safely is only part of the job. The destination needs to be suitable for the animal.
For reptiles, this may mean taking or arranging:
- Correct heating equipment
- Thermostats and thermometers
- Suitable UVB lighting where required
- Hides and appropriate substrate
- Equipment for monitoring humidity
- Food and supplements
- A secure enclosure
A temporary plastic box without suitable heating and lighting is not an adequate holiday enclosure for an animal that normally depends on carefully controlled conditions.
Bird owners should consider cage security, perch setup, sleep, household hazards and whether there are other animals at the destination. A bird that is safe in its usual home may encounter open doors, ceiling fans, unfamiliar dogs or cats, cooking fumes and other hazards in a different house.
Our article on creating a healthy home environment for pet birds covers many of these issues in more detail.
If you are staying in rented accommodation, confirm that animals are permitted before travelling. Do not assume that accommodation described as pet-friendly will accept birds, reptiles or other unusual pets.
Interstate Travel Can Involve Permits
Owners travelling between Australian states or territories should check the legal requirements before transporting an exotic pet.
The rules are particularly important for native birds and reptiles. Wildlife licensing is managed by individual states and territories, and an animal that can legally be kept under one jurisdiction may be subject to different conditions elsewhere.
Interstate movement itself may also require approval.
For example, Queensland requires movement permits in some circumstances when live protected native animals are taken into or out of the state, including some interstate holiday travel. New South Wales requires an import or export licence for the interstate movement of most native animals, while other jurisdictions have their own permit systems.
Do not assume that an existing wildlife keeper licence automatically allows an animal to cross a state border.
Before travelling:
- Check whether you are legally permitted to keep the species at the destination.
- Check the wildlife licensing requirements in your home state or territory.
- Check the requirements of the destination state or territory.
- Find out whether an import, export or movement permit is required.
- Allow time for any permit application to be processed.
This should be done before accommodation and travel arrangements are finalised. If a journey involves several states, requirements may need to be checked for each jurisdiction.
Biosecurity rules may also apply to animals, animal products, food and other items being carried interstate.
International Travel Is Not a Holiday Option
For exotic pets, overseas travel should generally be considered only in the context of permanent relocation, not a holiday.
Australia has strict biosecurity controls on the export and re-entry of live animals, and many exotic species cannot simply leave the country and return. Reptiles and amphibians are especially restricted, and pet bird movements are also tightly controlled.
Even where an animal can legally be exported, owners may face import requirements in the destination country, airline restrictions, quarantine rules, wildlife trade controls and difficulties bringing the animal back into Australia.
For a normal overseas holiday, the appropriate option is to arrange experienced care at home or suitable boarding with someone familiar with the species.
If an owner is permanently relocating overseas with an exotic pet, they should investigate Australian export requirements, the destination country’s import rules, airline requirements and any relevant wildlife permits well in advance.
A Health Check May Be Sensible Before a Long Journey
A routine trip to the vet does not require another veterinary appointment before it. For a long-distance journey or relocation, however, a pre-travel examination can be useful.
This is particularly relevant if the animal:
- Is older
- Has a chronic medical condition
- Is taking medication
- Has recently been unwell
- Has lost weight
- Has shown changes in appetite or behaviour
- Has not had a veterinary examination for some time
Travel can make an existing health problem harder to manage. Discovering that a bird has been losing weight or a reptile has an underlying respiratory problem halfway through an interstate move is far from ideal.
A pre-travel appointment also provides an opportunity to discuss temperature management, medication, feeding and what to do if the animal becomes unwell while away.
Our article on regular health checks for exotic pets explains why baseline weight, body condition and husbandry information can be useful when assessing these animals.
Take Medication and Veterinary Information With You
If your pet takes regular medication, bring enough for the entire trip plus a reasonable margin in case plans change.
Keep medication in its original labelled packaging and follow the storage instructions provided by your veterinarian. Some medicines need refrigeration or protection from heat.
Take the details of your usual veterinary clinic with you, along with any relevant medical information for an animal with an ongoing condition.
For longer trips, identify a veterinary practice near the destination that is able to treat your species. This is particularly important with birds and reptiles, as not every veterinary clinic routinely treats exotic animals.
An exotic animal vet has additional experience with the anatomy, physiology, husbandry and medical problems of these species.
Leaving an Exotic Pet at Home
For many exotic pets, staying home is the preferred arrangement for a holiday.
That does not mean asking someone to refill a bowl occasionally. The person caring for the animal needs to understand its normal routine and know what would indicate a problem.
Leave clear written instructions covering:
- Feeding amounts and frequency
- Fresh water
- Heating and lighting schedules
- Temperature and humidity ranges where relevant
- Cleaning requirements
- Medication
- Normal behaviour
- Warning signs of illness
- Your veterinarian’s contact details
- What to do in an emergency
For reptiles, the carer needs to know how to check heating and lighting equipment. A failed heat source or thermostat may require attention before the owner returns.
Bird carers should understand basic household safety as well as feeding and cleaning. A well-meaning person unfamiliar with birds may use an aerosol product nearby, allow unsafe access to the kitchen or open a door while the bird is out of its cage.
If possible, have the carer meet the animal and go through the routine before you leave.
When Travel Should Be Postponed
An animal that is unwell should not be taken on an optional trip.
Reduced appetite, breathing changes, diarrhoea or abnormal droppings, weakness, vomiting or regurgitation, significant weight loss, abnormal posture or marked changes in behaviour should be investigated before unnecessary travel.
There are exceptions when transport is required specifically to obtain veterinary treatment. In that situation, contact the clinic and ask for advice about transporting the animal safely.
Pregnant or actively reproductive animals, very young animals and animals recovering from surgery or significant illness may also need additional consideration before travel.
When in doubt, ask your vet before leaving.
Good Planning Reduces Travel Risk
Some exotic pets travel regularly and become accustomed to it. Others find even a short trip stressful. Species, health, temperament, previous experience and the conditions during the journey all matter.
For necessary travel, use a secure carrier, plan temperature control, take the animal’s normal food and medication, prepare suitable housing at the destination and check legal requirements before crossing state borders.
For holidays, consider whether travelling actually benefits the animal. In many cases, leaving an exotic pet in its familiar environment with a competent carer is the safer and less stressful arrangement.
If you are planning a long journey or interstate move with a bird, reptile or other exotic pet, Currumbin Vet Services can assess the animal’s health and discuss practical transport and husbandry requirements before you travel.
