Can I travel with my piggies along every other day?

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DM180220

So my parents are divorced and I’ve been wondering if I could bring my piggies with me when it’s time to go to my moms. I go to the others every other day and every weekend it switches with the other. Would this cause too much stress for them? I have animals at both parents house.
 
Hmmm...piggies can generally travel well, but I’m not sure I would take them if you’re back to them every two days. That’s a lot of environment change. Are they boars or sows? And would you have enough space for them at your dad’s place? Could you set up a permanent cage for them? If I were you I wouldn’t. But if going for longer periods (2 weeks or more) then I would.

Is your mum willing to take care of them (basic needs) for the one day you’re away?
 
Siikibam said:
Hmmm...piggies can generally travel well, but I’m not sure I would take them if you’re back to them every two days. That’s a lot of environment change. Are they boars or sows? And would you have enough space for them at your dad’s place? Could you set up a permanent cage for them? If I were you I wouldn’t. But if going for longer periods (2 weeks or more) then I would.

Is your mum willing to take care of them (basic needs) for the one day you’re away?
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I don’t have piggies yet. But my dad said he could be willing. I did plan to get sows if I couldn’t get a neutered boy and girl. I have plenty of space at my dads and probably could set up a permanent cage. My mom said she would be willing to take care of them.
 
I agree with @Siikibam. They generally travel ok, but a lot of environment changes can cause problems for the piggies’ relationship. An environment change means piggies need to re-establish their relationship so moving regularly will introduce a bit of stress to their lives which can also leave them vulnerable to certain illnesses etc. It would be much better if they could have a permanent home with one of your parents and stay there all the time ensuring whichever parent they stayed with was able to look after them when you weren’t there.
 
I don't think the guinea pigs would benefit from being moved every second day, so it isn't something I would consider.
The continual changes in environment could become quite unsettling for them.

If you are only with one parent for 2 days then I would just choose one house to keep them at unless you go away for longer than a week.
 
I still wouldn’t do it. It’s too disruptive for them. If you were going for more than two weeks then I would take them along. But every other day I think is too much.
 
On a side note, please make sure that your dad is willing to pay for any vet fees. That is one of their rights - access to good healthcare. And also make sure you get a pair of boars (trios or more rarely work) or sows. Piggies are very social animals and shouldn’t live alone - they always need the company of their own kind. Lastly, search for (good) rescues rather than getting from a pet shop. The former will have been health and sex checked. No chance of getting a pregnant piggy or mismatched pair (intact boar and a sow).

Good luck and feel free to ask if you have any more questions ☺️ You can browse the forum for ideas on cages, bedding, food etc.
 
LuluPiggy said:
My parents live in the same neighborhood, so it’s only about two minute drive.
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My piggies live indoors all year round and have indoor floor time. I wondered whether if the 2 houses were very close, it could be similar to what people do transferring them between daily pens and nighttime accommodation, but the consensus seems to be no to keeping moving them. Are you worried about missing your piggies?
 
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Black piggies said:
My piggies live indoors all year round and have indoor floor time. I wondered whether if the 2 houses were very close, it could be similar to what people do transferring them between daily pens and nighttime accommodation, but the consensus seems to be no to keeping moving them. Are you worried about missing your piggies?
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Ok thankyo
Siikibam said:
On a side note, please make sure that your dad is willing to pay for any vet fees. That is one of their rights - access to good healthcare. And also make sure you get a pair of boars (trios or more rarely work) or sows. Piggies are very social animals and shouldn’t live alone - they always need the company of their own kind. Lastly, search for (good) rescues rather than getting from a pet shop. The former will have been health and sex checked. No chance of getting a pregnant piggy or mismatched pair (intact boar and a sow).

Good luck and feel free to ask if you have any more questions ☺ You can browse the forum for ideas on cages, bedding, food etc.
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ok! Thankyou very much! :)
 
LuluPiggy said:
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I’m not worried about missing my piggies, though I would. I don’t want my parents to have to take care of them while I’m at the others. That is the problem because I’m sure my dad wouldn’t want to, but maybe I could convince him.
 
LuluPiggy said:
I’m not worried about missing my piggies, though I would. I don’t want my parents to have to take care of them while I’m at the others. That is the problem because I’m sure my dad wouldn’t want to, but maybe I could convince him.
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I don’t believe that convincing parents to do it is a good idea. It’s approximately an 8 year commitment and that is not something that they should be ‘convinced’ into, they need to want to help out.
 
You say you have other pets, could they be your focus for now? I've had a lot of different pets and in my opinion guinea pigs need most attention aside from puppies and horses. You couldn't persuade someone to do everything they need. They'd have to be willing.
 
Black piggies said:
You say you have other pets, could they be your focus for now? I've had a lot of different pets and in my opinion guinea pigs need most attention aside from puppies and horses. You couldn't persuade someone to do everything they need. They'd have to be willing.
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Ok! I will ask my dad if he would be willing. My moms is where all the other pets are. I would plan to keep them at my dads.
 
LuluPiggy said:
Ok! I will ask my dad if he would be willing. My moms is where all the other pets are. I would plan to keep them at my dads.
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Also if I did get them I could pretty much walk over to my dads to care for them except for the morning. They wouldn’t have to watch over them for eight years I’m going to college in four years, where I will take care of them all the time.
 
LuluPiggy said:
Also if I did get them I could pretty much walk over to my dads to care for them except for the morning. They wouldn’t have to watch over them for eight years I’m going to college in four years, where I will take care of them all the time.
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That’s a lot of walking back and forth. And can you guarantee they’d be allowed to come with you to college? And :agr: about not having to convince them
 
Siikibam said:
That’s a lot of walking back and forth. And can you guarantee they’d be allowed to come with you to college? And :agr: about not having to convince them
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I need exercise anyway lol! Yes I’m even saving money to add to an already existing allowance.
 
I may be getting guinea pigs, I just wanted to know in advance if they would be too stressed to eat. Also what are some ways I can get them to get used to me, and another question is can I bring them to to another house every 1 week, then go back?
 
We did answer about shifting them on your other thread. I think every week is still too much. If you were going for more than two weeks then perhaps that would be fine. Though not every two weeks, just the occasional long stay at one parent.

They shouldn’t be too stressed to eat but they may not eat when you are around. When you bring them home, it’s advised you give them 48 hours to settle in. Lots of hides and cover part of their cage so they can feel safe. You put in food for them but don’t expect them to be out and about when you’re around. After that you can try hand feeding, but don’t be disappointed if they don’t trust you enough to take it from your hand.

Patience is what you’ll really need in terms of getting them to trust you. It could be quick (months) or slow (years) depending on the piggy. Have a read of the threads I’ve linked below.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
 
:agr:
We did say that moving them frequently will not be good for them. They need a stable environment.

They should eat immediately, but they will be scared and probably won’t eat when you are around.

Guinea pigs are not cuddly creatures and it can take a long time for them to settle in and get used to being around you. One of my boys settled fairly quickly (within a few weeks) but it has taken the other one 18 months to take food from me and become more calm when I’m around. The guides that have been linked in above will help, but it all comes down the piggy and what they are comfortable with - some take longer to settle than others
 
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