Nervous about leaving my piggies

Coco+Teddie+Luna

Coco+Teddie+Luna

Junior Guinea Pig
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OK i'm actually considering getting a dog because this guinea pig travelling issue is getting too much. I usually keep my piggies with my cousins whenever i travel, but i don't want to do that anymore. Their basement is too cold. But now me and my mom are going to be travelling for the summer, and we are also moving to a new house(to see family and yes we will be cautious and wear masks don't worry) and i need somewhere else to keep my piggies where i know they will be taken cared of. My other cousins are a good choice but i'm not sure how good they will be cleaned. Their cage gets dirty fast sometimes. i don't know what to do :(
 
Sorry, I'm a little confused by your post.

Do you mean you are considering getting a dog in replacement of your piggies?

Any pet (whatever species) takes a lot of time and dedication. They become more of a lifestyle (they are family members) than simply 'keeping' a pet.
We don't holiday abroad for example; as we have too many animals, but we are very happy that way. Our animals are our life.

Guinea pigs don't tolerate constant changes in environment well. They can travel occasionally (and travel well), but they do like routine and home comforts. They also don't tolerate cold well (so you are right to not leave them in a cold basement).

Are you looking for rehoming options?
 
Bradshaw Piggies said:
Sorry, I'm a little confused by your post.

Do you mean you are considering getting a dog in replacement of your piggies?

Any pet (whatever species) takes a lot of time and dedication. They become more of a lifestyle (they are family members) than simply 'keeping' a pet.
We don't holiday abroad for example; as we have too many animals, but we are very happy that way. Our animals are our life.

Guinea pigs don't tolerate constant changes in environment well. They can travel occasionally (and travel well), but they do like routine and home comforts. They also don't tolerate cold well (so you are right to not leave them in a cold basement).

Are you looking for rehoming options?
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Yep, considering getting a dog but they do cost more than piggies. I agree fully with what your saying. I have never traveled WITH my piggies, i always leave them with my cousins. And on the rehoming? Absolutely not. I love the pigs to much. I'm just trying to see what my options are and also get feedback from the forum. I want the piggies to be safe,cleaned,and comfy while i'm gone.
 
Thank you, that makes more sense. I was worried that you wanted to replace your piggies.

I think your best bet is to find a very responsible family member or friend. The piggies would not need to deal with the stress of travelling and constantly changing environments then. Or could you consider boarding at a reputable place? Though this would cost more.
 
What I do for my piggies during vacation depends on how long I’m gone, so If its for a few days, I normally make sure there are tons of hay, pellets, and veggies on the first and second floor of the cage, and I make sure there are 2 water bottles, 1 for each floor, that are filled to the top. I also have Wyze cameras which are really helpful because I can see my piggy through my phone, and I can see if she’s doing okay. If I’m away for more than a few days, I give my piggy to a close friend or relative during that time. I hope this helps you
 
It really wouldnt be a great time to get a dog. Dogs are a huge commitment - ideally wait until you are settled into your own home and have an idea of how your life might be panning out over the next 15 yrs or so. They require a lot of work in terms of training and care.

I got my first puppy at 12 years old, was incredibly lucky in being able to take her into rented accomodation when i left home at 19 and, by the time she died, i was 28yrs old, married with 2 kids!

Obviously, in all those years she affected where we could live (as we were in rented til i was 24) holidays had to be planned to include the dog and even when i was in hospital giving birth, my man had to rush home straight after to let the dog out!


Needless to say, i didnt get any more dogs until my life had completly settled back down at the age of 45yrs. Honestly, they are more impacting on your life than human babies, no joke.



As long as your cousin is happy to look after your pigs, then the rest is a trust issue. Leave proper care instructions, plenty of supplies, foods to avoid.

And keep in touch whilst you are on the road.
 
If traveling with piggies and arranging care for them when you can't take them with you is a problem, the last thing you need is a dog! LOL! Piggies actually travel pretty well... we take ours back and forth to the cottage all the time. Much better than my childhood dog, who was so carsick that we had to give her a sedative to get to the cottage without her becoming panicky and upchucking all over the car. I'm just kind of puzzled by that statement... if one variety of pet is an inconvenience while traveling, why would a larger (and unrestrained) pet be less of an inconvenience?

You basically have three options here... leave them with someone you know and trust, hire a pet-sitting service to come into your home and tend to them, or take them with you. Whatever option is the best is going to vary with circumstances, room in the car, etc. For what it's worth, my pigs have always travelled well to the cottage and back with us (2.5 hour drive.) They are anxious the first day or two with the cage in a new spot, but they settle in quickly. I have also had them stay with a friend or my parents at their house and have had a friend come into my house daily to check on them and give them food and water. Those have all worked out fine, though I prefer to just take them if I'm not going to be in a hotel. We have three kids, two guinea pigs, and two hamsters... our crappy minivan is extremely full whenever we have to go anywhere! LOL!
 
:agr:
Bringing your piggies with you is also another great option, once when I went on an RV trip, I put Marlee into a portable cage and brought her along with us in the RV. (I put lots of food into a bag and fed her the food from the bag.)
 
Freela said:
If traveling with piggies and arranging care for them when you can't take them with you is a problem, the last thing you need is a dog! LOL! Piggies actually travel pretty well... we take ours back and forth to the cottage all the time. Much better than my childhood dog, who was so carsick that we had to give her a sedative to get to the cottage without her becoming panicky and upchucking all over the car. I'm just kind of puzzled by that statement... if one variety of pet is an inconvenience while traveling, why would a larger (and unrestrained) pet be less of an inconvenience?

You basically have three options here... leave them with someone you know and trust, hire a pet-sitting service to come into your home and tend to them, or take them with you. Whatever option is the best is going to vary with circumstances, room in the car, etc. For what it's worth, my pigs have always travelled well to the cottage and back with us (2.5 hour drive.) They are anxious the first day or two with the cage in a new spot, but they settle in quickly. I have also had them stay with a friend or my parents at their house and have had a friend come into my house daily to check on them and give them food and water. Those have all worked out fine, though I prefer to just take them if I'm not going to be in a hotel. We have three kids, two guinea pigs, and two hamsters... our crappy minivan is extremely full whenever we have to go anywhere! LOL!
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Ok to reply on the pet service, any recommendations? I’m in NY in the U.S
 
Free Ranger said:
Be warned - my Aunt's dog used to fart terribly in the car - nerves or excitement I don't know - but as much as I loved him I never traveled in a car with him after the first time. Even 40 years is not long enough to forget that awful smell.
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🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that comment has made my evening!
 
Coco+Olivia said:
Ok to reply on the pet service, any recommendations? I’m in NY in the U.S
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You will need to find out what is available in your area. I know there are websites that advertise in home pet sitting, but not how reputable they are. Your local rescue and vet may know who pet sits. Our exotic vet used to offer pet sitting services.

I hope your trip and move goes smoothly!
 
Coco+Olivia said:
Ok to reply on the pet service, any recommendations? I’m in NY in the U.S
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Sorry, I'm not even in the same country as you! But I know they're out there. You could check with your vet to see if they have any recommendations or provide boarding too.
 
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