Hamster and gerbil boarding near Dixon

Hamsters and gerbils are small, nocturnal and fond of routine. They travel best in their own cage with their own bedding, and both prefer cooler, drier rooms than a hot car or a sunny window.

Booking a stay

Gerbils are named on the kennel's list of accepted small pets, and hamsters are welcome too. Call 707-678-6600 or send a request through your online account. The kennel confirms every reservation, and the boarding agreement is completed once.

Rates for small pets are not printed on the 2026 sheet, so please ask for a quote. Drop-off and pick-up run 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM.

Hamsters: what the Merck Veterinary Manual says

• Keep the enclosure at about 64 to 79 degrees F.
• Use a home with a solid floor, deep bedding and nesting material; avoid cedar and pine, which can be poisonous.
• Hamsters are usually best kept alone, and adult females are especially likely to fight.
• They are nocturnal, awake at night and asleep by day.
• An exercise wheel should have a solid running surface rather than wire.

Gerbils: what the Merck Veterinary Manual says

• Gerbils need a cage with a solid, non-mesh bottom; a fish tank with a breathable lid is a common choice.
• Living quarters should be 60 to 70 degrees F and relatively dry, below 50 percent humidity.
• Plan on about 5 gallons per gerbil.
• Gerbils are social and do best in pairs, ideally same-sex littermates.
• They chew nearly everything, so skip toys with small parts.

Keeping them comfortable on the trip

Because both species like a narrow temperature range, plan the drive so the cage is never left in a parked car. A familiar cage, bedding and food reduce the changes your pet faces. Pack a written note with feeding, any medication and the habits staff should know about, such as a hamster that is easily startled awake.

What to pack

1. The cage, with the usual bedding and a hide or tunnel.
2. Food in its original bag and a note of the daily amount.
3. Treats and chew items your pet already knows.
4. A water bottle or dish you already use.