Moving With a Grieving Guinea Pig

[calliewally]

Hi, I planned to take my guinea pigs to university with me in a couple of weeks, but one died last week. I am still hoping to bring the remaining one back with me (which would be the first time travelling with him, and the drive is about 5 hours, so I'm quite nervous about that), but I'm trying to figure out when would be the best time to introduce a new guinea pig into the mix with giving the current one time to settle in. I'm guessing it's not something other people have gone through, but any thoughts on it would be helpful.

 

[ScrufflesRules]

Hello and welcome to the forum
I'm sorry to hear about the recent loss of your piggy.
Generally the sooner you can get a new friend the better. Does your remaining pig seem to be acting like her usual self? Edit: if you can go 'friend dating' at a rescue that would be great, and please read up on the bonding guides before attempting to bond piggies. Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
This guide might help you a bit more: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

I haven't got any tips on travelling that far I'm afraid, but I'm sure some other members will.

Just to double check, does your future landlord allow guinea pigs? And is there enough space for the cage (and your bed!) in your accommodation?

P.S. I'm sure you've thought about all this, but what will you do with the pig(s) during the holidays?

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your loss.
I find guinea pigs travel well.
Mine have a carrier which sits in the passenger footwell for safety.
I make sure the car is cool enough for us all and on a long trip it’s good to have something like cucumber chunks in a little water available.
As a break is usually needed on a 5 hour trip you either need someone travelling with you, or you end up carrying the piggies into the service station with you.
I have done both !

 

[calliewally]

Hello and welcome to the forum
I'm sorry to hear about the recent loss of your piggy.
Generally the sooner you can get a new friend the better. Does your remaining pig seem to be acting like her usual self? Edit: if you can go 'friend dating' at a rescue that would be great, and please read up on the bonding guides before attempting to bond piggies. Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
This guide might help you a bit more: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

I haven't got any tips on travelling that far I'm afraid, but I'm sure some other members will.

Just to double check, does your future landlord allow guinea pigs? And is there enough space for the cage (and your bed!) in your accommodation?

P.S. I'm sure you've thought about all this, but what will you do with the pig(s) during the holidays?

He actually seems more active than he was previously and is eating fine; I feel like he knew that his brother was dying and wasn't up to his usual antics because of this. This year, my landlord does allow small animals, so that was why I was bringing them with me as my parents were struggling with their care of them, especially with them being on the older side. It was mainly due to the one who died because he required much more care than my dad could give. But then I don't want to leave the other alone because I wouldn't now have time to bond with a new guinea pig before I would be gone for three months and once again would want to leave that with my dad. My room is quite big in this house, and they would have to come back here for my holidays (unless a housemate was staying). I do have two decently sized cages, so they'll be fine at both places. But this will be his first time travelling since we got him 6 years ago, which was only a 20-minute drive, and my car isn't known for the comfort factor :')

 

[Merab]

I moved house with a newly neutered boar in one carrier and 3 sows in another.
None of them had ever travelled so far but every pig survived ok.
That was a 200 mile / 5 hour trip.

 

[calliewally]

So sorry for your loss.
I find guinea pigs travel well.
Mine have a carrier which sits in the passenger footwell for safety.
I make sure the car is cool enough for us all and on a long trip it’s good to have something like cucumber chunks in a little water available.
As a break is usually needed on a 5 hour trip you either need someone travelling with you, or you end up carrying the piggies into the service station with you.
I have done both !

Oh ok, I had seen some of this online, (I've been researching like mad since I'm anxious about it), but that's good to know that they completely hate my gut going between the two houses every few months. My car doesn't have much padding to put it simply, so do you think that the footwell might vibrate too much for its liking? Sorry, I know there are quite random questions I just want to make sure that he's comfy for it while I stress beside him aha

 

[Merab]

If you’re worried about the footwell you could either put some old towels under the carrier to absorb some vibration or strap the carrier onto the front seat but covered with a towel or old sheet to protect from the sun.

Please keep asking questions - I did before we moved house and took the piggies on a longer journey.

 

[Sweet Potato]

I used a small pet shop style cage for longer car journeys when I had my boys living at uni so they had more space but I did have to do a train journey with them in a carrier once and they coped with this just as well to be honest I was definitely more worried about it than they were.

 

[AidaB]

Sorry for your loss.

We regularly travel with our piggies. They travel well. They love lots of hay in the carrier, and like to leave us plenty in the car too!(Kicked out through the holes). We usually strap the carrier in on a seat.
I always make sure the carrier is covered, especially at night to prevent car lights spooking them.
For long journeys we pack a piggie picnic of cucumber to ensure they stay hydrated.
We also make sure we pack used/smelly bedding, so they feel at home in the new space.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry about your loss and your difficulties.

Below is the link to our official travelling tips. Piggies actually travel pretty well. Make sure that he has got his favourite cosy (not washed) and soft hay to bury into.

Feed your boy well with fresh greens before you set off so he is well hydrated and will want to sleep off his full belly when in the car. The vibrations are additionally soothing, especially on the motorway. Have a thicker piece of cucumber with you so he has access to fluid he can nibble on at need but that won't cause any messes but don't expect him to eat much and don't worry - he'll catch up once back in his cage. You can put sheet over the top of the cage at first to give him an extra feeling of security after arrival.

Travelling with guinea pigs