Relocating with guinea pig safely?

[MissPants]

Hi there, I have a 6 month old male guinea pig and am relocating several hundred miles away in a few weeks. We are driving to our new home and it will take 4 or 5 hours to get there. I'm really worried about my lil fella travelling for so long and totally clueless as to how to do it safely and minimise his distress.

Does anyone have any experience travelling with guinea pigs? Would love to hear any tips or recommendations for suitable carriers etc. Thanks!

 

[Toffeewoffee]

Hi, i travel with my piggies regularly, and the journey is usually between 2.5 - 3 hours. they are fine, usually just go to sleep. So long as you have a decent sized cage for him to be in with some food & hay i wouldn't worry. Give him watery veg as water bottle and bumpy car rides dont work, the bedding will end up soaked.

 

[DizzyDinosaur]

First thing. Welcome to the forum.

Plenty of hay, watery veg such as cucumber and towels which you don't mind getting stained from pig pee.
I would have a stop about half way and change the towel if its damp

 

[MissPants]

Brilliant thank you both! It's reassuring to know he won't necessarily be really stressed and upset. I've been dreading the move so far but I feel much better knowing he'll be ok. Good to know about the water bottle, one of those things I wouldn't have thought of until disaster struck! He loves cucumber so it'll be a treat for him.

 

[Guinea Slave]

If it helps, I have one guinea who absolutely loves travelling, I think she'd spend her day in the car if she could! I have a fairly large car (estate) and travel with an indoor cage in the back with water, hay etc, home from home and they all love it. One thing I do do for the more nervous ones is just cover the cage with a towel so that they feel secure. That also works, but I would'nt worry, they are tough little critters he'll be fine

 

[Claire W]

I travel between Manchester and Nottingham quite regular. At the minute two travel in one cat carrier and two in the other. However, I have since brought a small travel cage so they can all travel together.
Anyway, they are all fine travelling. Eleanor and Eliza will go to sleep where as Erin and Ena will have the odd squabble but that doesn't matter. I think if you follow the advice given, your piggy will be fine

 

[Wiebke]

I am taking guinea on meds with me whenever necessary and possible.

Make sure that your piggy has a good, big meal before you set out - that will sustain it; it won't be thirsty and it will also make it sleepy for the journey. Have soft hay to much on and hide in. In my experience, most piggies won't eat much while on travel.

I have found that some piggies are frightened by the sudden bursts of light when travelling in dark, so you may want to place a towel or fleece onver the carrier by that time.

It can take a few days for your piggy to settle in at his new location even if he is back in his old cage and with his own things. Give him that time.