Chipmunk Behavior

[Marci]

I need some advice. :dono :thinking

Buddy is an indoor chipmunk and he and I are very bonded. I work from home so he sees me all the time. I have had him since Sept 2010 and have nursed him thru several respiratory illnesses and fur loss.

I am taking my first vacation since I got him and going to my beach house for one week. I don't feel comfortable leaving him alone for 8 days due to his compromised health history.

I took a business trip to Ottawa, CA for 3 days and he was fine. Eight days is a much longer time period. When I came back from the businss trip, I could tell Buddy really missed me, he kept licking my fingers a lot over the next several days. He still licks my fingers but not as often, and I know the licking is a sign of affection most of the time because my hands were washed before I handle him.

There are two options for which I want TSB board members to provide their opinion and advice.

1. Take him with me. I have an extra cage that is smaller than his indoor mansion cage. But at least he will be with me every day. The disadvantage is that I know the chippies don't like change and are territorial, therefore become very familiar with their surroundings and smells.

2. Leave him at home and hire a pet sitter. There is a vet assistant who I know that will come to my house a few times while I am gone and take care of him.

What shall I do???

Marci

[Busysqrl]

Hmmmmm, both have pros and cons. I guess if it were me and I could take him with me, maybe I'd try that. Do you think he would eat and drink OK in strange surroundings? Or would he be too stressed? Same goes if you leave him at home with a stranger. Would he eat and drink OK? I'd be tempted to take him with me, probably because of his health history. I'm no expert though. I'll be interested to see what others have to say. :grouphug

[astra]

Hi Marci,
I am no expert either, but as I thought, it looks like he will be under some stress anyway, whether you take him or leave him. So, picking the best of the two evils here, you know.
I think it might be better if you take him with you, because at least he will have you and that might be helpful to reduce the stressfulness of the new environment etc.I don't know how well he does when alone, but if he stays, on top of the strange person and your absence, he will be all alone for a week - seems like a long time for such a tiny creature.

Also, just in case his appetite changes, or some of his problems return, you will be right there to take care of them, you will know what to do. Another thing, you know him so well by now that you will notice if he begins to feeling unwell, whereas a stranger may not notice it, "read the signs", you know.

So, it seems to me it might be better if you take him, but again - I am no expert. Just some thoughts.

[Tickle's Mom]

I'd opt for taking him with me. Since they don't like change, at least he will have that one constant. His mommy :D