Taking my Guinea Pig out with me

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Sabrinova

Sabrinova

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Hi, this is my first post!

I got my first ever guinea pig, 4 month old Gilbert, just 10 days ago and I love him to bits!x) I want to take him with me wherever possible and I was wondering what's the best way to do it. I believe you can get pouch/hammock type things, but where from? Can anyone recommend any and where to get them online?

Please don't fry me for asking this, but has anyone successfully managed to get a guinea pig to walk on a lead like a dog?

I spend a lot of time at my friend's house or sitting outside bars with a drink and it would be great if I could take Gilbert with me :)
 
hahahahahahahahahaha no i have never tried it! i have no idea how on earth you would manage to do it. is it not possible to carry them lol?
 
Welcome to the forum. :) A pet carrier is the best way of transporting guineas pigs. I would not put a pig on a lead one false move and they can be killed. Also you don't know what they pick up off the floor when outside.

Is that him in your Avatar? :)
 
hahaha. I have to agree with lou, if hegot out of it or something you never know what would happen!

Welcome btw
 
I don't think its a good idea to move him around too much, it can be unsettling for guineas to be moved from their home all the time.
As for using harnesses or leads & taking them for a walk, never do it, like S&T said; they can get seriously injured.
 
You can get little harnesses for guinea pigs in pet shops, but please, please don't be tempted to buy one!
They shouldn't be allowed to sell those things, they're actually very dangerous, and can severely damage your guinea pig's back.

As for taking him around in a pouch? I wouldn't advise it.
As I'm sure you've noticed by now, guinea pigs can be very fast when they want to be, and are surprisingly good at squeezing into small places.

If you tried to walk about in the street with him in a pouch, it's likely that he might freak out. Anything from a passing car, or a dog or a cat in the street, might scare him senseless, and cause him to get scared and jump out of the pouch.

Personally, I just think it's too great a risk of distressing him, or him getting hurt or even lost.

You could always take him in a secure carry case to your friends' houses with you, and let him out once you get there, though. :)
 
Hi and welcome. If you really must move him around, use a pet carrier but NEVER use a harness. I would strongly recommend though that you do not keep moving him around as it may upset him and something could happen to him. Cute pig by the way :)
 
Yes that's him on my avatar! I worry about just carrying him in case he squirms or escapes, and also I don't know how he'd go about weeing. I thought maybe if he's on a lead and I'm outside a bar I can put him down under the table to wee without fear of him running off, even if I carry him in my arms the rest of the time. A pouch I imagine he'd just wee in (as long as I clean it after each outing) so would probably be the better option, but like I said I'm a complete newbie to guinea pigs so any advice is much appreciated :)

I think I'd feel a bit weird carrying a little cat carrier round with me everywhere I go, I want him where I can cuddle him, as soggy as that sounds ^)
 
well if you carry him in a Guinea pig carrier they often have lids on the top aswell so you can easily justget him out for cuddles and to show people.

If you have any other questons never hesitate to post!
 
He's lovely. I can't stress enough about not putting him on the floor outside. Animals have been known to pick up something they shouldn't and in fatal cases. I wouldn't carry him around incase you drop him.

To be honest I wouldn't take him out at all, guineas like familiar settings it could spoke him. :)
 
yesnever put him on the floor , you never know there may be a leafon the floor which is poisonous or anything. If you do take him out always (unless he is in your hands, when you are not walking incase you drop him) have him in a carry-case
 
Ooh lots more replies have come while I was typing - thanks all of you! I knew to consider him being startled but I hadn't given a thought to the effects of a harness on his back. So I'm probably much better leaving him in my apartment then am I and just giving him lots of attention when I'm in? I thought he might enjoy little excursons as he's a very confident little thing and has already made friends with my friend's dog. I should just a pet carrier for the odd occasion if I take him to my friends or something. Cool, thanks people :)
 
I have to agree with everyone about putting him on the floor outside, especially not outside a bar.
One of mine once tried to lick up some wine I'd spilt on the kitchen floor, imagine all the different drinks that get spilled outside a bar!
Alcohol certainly wouldn't be good at all for his little tummy.
 
yes just use a pet carrier to take him to friends but don;t take him out too often as theyget usedto their surroundings and like them as homely.
 
Why don't you get him a little friend? And then he will have some of his own kind of company......save you having to even think about taking him anywhere. It's also great to watch them when there's more than one as they will interact with each other in their piggy way. I really don't think its a good idea to take him away out with you......as much as we would all like to do that too.
 
Angeladeedah said:
Why don't you get him a little friend? And then he will have some of his own kind of company......save you having to even think about taking him anywhere. It's also great to watch them when there's more than one as they will interact with each other in their piggy way. I really don't think its a good idea to take him away out with you......as much as we would all like to do that too.
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Hi Angela, I know you're supposed to have two, but so far I've decided not to for several reasons. He was the only guinea pig in the shop so there was no natural friend for him, meaning I would have to go through finding another boy somewhere, keeping them separate for two weeks (apparently) and taking the risk even then that they might not like each other. And my apartment just isn't big enough for two cages. Also I haven't yet researched how much it will cost me to bring Gilbert back to the UK with me if I ever need to, so until I have I am certainly not committing to two! That will be my next thread btw - pet passports for piggies ;)
 
Sabrinova said:
Hi Angela, I know you're supposed to have two, but so far I've decided not to for several reasons. He was the only guinea pig in the shop so there was no natural friend for him, meaning I would have to go through finding another boy somewhere, keeping them separate for two weeks (apparently) and taking the risk even then that they might not like each other. And my apartment just isn't big enough for two cages. Also I haven't yet researched how much it will cost me to bring Gilbert back to the UK with me if I ever need to, so until I have I am certainly not committing to two! That will be my next thread btw - pet passports for piggies ;)
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I think that you are putting your guinea pig first and it is good that you're not prepared to commit yourself to two if there is a possibility that you may need to find a new home for one of them if you can not afford two or they didn't get on :)
 
Harness/Leash:
I know those are available in pet shops but they are of no real use to human or to the animal itself. I don't recommend them because the animal can get entrapped in the leash, will bite the leash and if succeed will run away. Also, being such a small animal the risk of the piggy being stepped on is very great. So please save your money and rather buy a pet carrier for your pig.

Pet Carrier:
Get a good sized carrier so he has room to run around in when you are out and about with him. Keep a fleece or a towel inside to the piggy has something to grip on and hide in. Guinea pigs can get stressed easily in new surrounding, new sounds/smells so I recommend keep the trips with piggy to a minimum.

At Home:
The best option for your piggy is really to be at home in his secure cage with all the things he loves, hidey holes, food, hay and water. You can cuddle your piggy to hearts content when you come back home to him. Tip, put a towel on your lap for cuddle time, helps to mop up the wee's and poo's and keeps your clothes clean and relatively hair free.
 
frank said:
piggys like quiet places they know..... how about having a pint with the pig on your couch
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That doesn't come without its dangers:), my piggy jumped off my knee bumped his face on the side of the glass on his way down and knocked his front teeth out poor lad, try explaining that to the vet :red
 
Sabrinova said:
Hi Angela, I know you're supposed to have two, but so far I've decided not to for several reasons. He was the only guinea pig in the shop so there was no natural friend for him, meaning I would have to go through finding another boy somewhere, keeping them separate for two weeks (apparently) and taking the risk even then that they might not like each other. And my apartment just isn't big enough for two cages. Also I haven't yet researched how much it will cost me to bring Gilbert back to the UK with me if I ever need to, so until I have I am certainly not committing to two! That will be my next thread btw - pet passports for piggies ;)
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As for company - if you are coming back to the UK, you would have to get him a friend in any case, as it would be against the animal welfare act to keep him on his own. Why not have him neutered now, and then you can introduce a girlfriend straight away whenever your circumstances allow?

I adopted a piggy once that had been on her own for over a year, and due to my circumstances it was another year before I was able to get her company, but after that she turned into a completely different animal! she really blossomed, she was so much more active and vocal, and while she seemed fine when she was on her own I now realise how lonely she must have been - just comparing her earlier behaviour to the behaviour after.

When you are talking about the cost of bringing him to the UK - I assume you are coming by plane? Because when I brought a rabbit and a piggy into the UK by ferry, I did not have to pay very much, and they did not even have to have proof of good health and/or vaccinations.

But surely they charge per carrier on the plane, and not per animal? Would be great if you could give me some info on plane travelling as this is something I am very interested in. But anyway, as pets are not allowed in the passenger section of a plane and have to go with the luggage, I should think having 2 piggies would be way better anyway - it gets very cold in the bottom of the plane, and at least they could snuggle up to each other for warmth...
 
i def wouldn't have a piggy outside of a bar incase they get scared. i had my 1st pig for 2 weeks before i got him a friend, he looked so lonely and then bam! came out of his shell and they get on great. you may not need 2 cages, just a larger indoor one for 2 to share? and if you take him outside-mind he doesn't get sun burn (hardly a concern back here ha ha!):)>>>
 
I have never taken one of my piggies out with me. Though i have thought wouldn't it be fun and weird if i could take one of my piggies to the supermarket or cinema with me :)) but i think you'd get some strange stares but if you really want to take him out with you then put him in a pet carrier or carry him but i think it's best to wrap him up in a blanket so that he feels safe and warm. But overall it's not really a good idea to take piggies out with you no matter how much you love them
 
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I would definitely not take him around with you... Small animals are not meant to be taken everywhere...
Dogs fine... Guinea pigs NO! :)

Piggies are not great at being bombarded with new things and will want to hide and get quite stressed... I went to a pet show recently where some woman had her cat on a lead and the cat was terrified and everyone was having a pop at her for bringing a cat to an open air pet show... The cat was digging her claws into the woman and was not happy... SHe ended up leaving which was a good thing...

Also the temperature changes when you take a piggy into a shop or another persons house will not be good for the piggys health...

I have never heard of the animal welfare act stating you are not allowed to have one piggie you must have two or more? It is not a law but the RSPCA "recommends" guinea pigs live in groups which i agree with...
A lot of people on here have/ have had one piggy... Granted they dont stay one piggy for long :))...

If you are going by ferry then a guinea pig will not cost much (if anything)... Plane then i wouldnt have a clue about that but your embassy will...
 
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Thanks for your suggestions :) Just to make it clear I am not planning on leaving Tenerife for at least a couple of years and even then would hope to go to the Spansh mainland, however in the current economic climate one cannot take anything for granted and I would hate to find that I have to return to the UK,in which case the likelihood is that the money would have run out too.

I believe the cost of one person driving and ferrying from Tenerife to the UK works out about 1000 euros including ferries, toll roads and petrol, as long as I manage to sleep in the car - otherwise I will have to allow money for B&Bs too. The ferry from Tenerife to the Spanish mainland takes two days, then there is the drive through the length of Spain and France, the ferry over the Channel and then the drive up to the north of England. Apparently this drive can be done in two days though I would have to allow longer. Although I haven't yet researched flights I can't help but think that a 4 hour flight would be a lot more pleasant for the little fella than nearly a week in a car, and would quite possibly work out cheaper for me too :)

I also haven't said that I won't get him a companion at some point but for now he's fine and believe me he isn't getting chance to be lonely :)

I will get him a pet carrier for the occasional outing, but I will take your advice and I will keep him in the apartment, although he will have the run of the whole apartment (and the balcony too as soon as I have covered the railings with something to stop him getting through). He's already enjoying playing on the sofa and has started exploring the lounge xx>>> Don't worry there are no cables, the Spanish seem to have an aversion to putting electrical sockets where you might actually need them ;)
 
jane28 said:
I have never heard of the animal welfare act stating you are not allowed to have one piggie you must have two or more? It is not a law but the RSPCA "recommends" guinea pigs live in groups which i agree with...
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The animal welfare act states that social animals, like piggies, rats, chinchillas, basically any small animal that lives in groups in the wild (And larger animals, I'm sure) need to be kept in social groups. (Where appropriate)

The act also says that the animals need to be allowed to exhibit natural behaviour patterns. Many argue that this should include being able to socialise with their own kind. Like piggies are much happier in groups, becuase then they can talk their own language. :)
 
Sabrinova said:
Thanks for your suggestions :) Just to make it clear I am not planning on leaving Tenerife for at least a couple of years and even then would hope to go to the Spansh mainland, however in the current economic climate one cannot take anything for granted and I would hate to find that I have to return to the UK,in which case the likelihood is that the money would have run out too.

I believe the cost of one person driving and ferrying from Tenerife to the UK works out about 1000 euros including ferries, toll roads and petrol, as long as I manage to sleep in the car - otherwise I will have to allow money for B&Bs too. The ferry from Tenerife to the Spanish mainland takes two days, then there is the drive through the length of Spain and France, the ferry over the Channel and then the drive up to the north of England. Apparently this drive can be done in two days though I would have to allow longer. Although I haven't yet researched flights I can't help but think that a 4 hour flight would be a lot more pleasant for the little fella than nearly a week in a car, and would quite possibly work out cheaper for me too :)

I also haven't said that I won't get him a companion at some point but for now he's fine and believe me he isn't getting chance to be lonely :)

I will get him a pet carrier for the occasional outing, but I will take your advice and I will keep him in the apartment, although he will have the run of the whole apartment (and the balcony too as soon as I have covered the railings with something to stop him getting through). He's already enjoying playing on the sofa and has started exploring the lounge xx>>> Don't worry there are no cables, the Spanish seem to have an aversion to putting electrical sockets where you might actually need them ;)
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That journey sounds like a headache to me @)
Hope you're having lots of fun in Tenerife, I'm jealous :)) Your piggy sounds happy and I'm sure he'll enjoy venturing around your apartment. He sounds like a very lucky pig xx
 
Are you in full time work? (e.g. 8 hours a day)

I am just thinking, 7 hours sleep a night, 6 hours working, say 2 hours for meals and prep, an hour for your own personal hygiene (like shower in the morning etc), would add up to roughly 16 hours, so even if you are absolutely BRILLIANT and spend the remaining 8 hours with your piggy, it still means for 16 hours he is all alone. And this does not even include time spent shopping, or doing chores...

Seriously, get him a friend. Please. It is in your piggies best interest. You can cuddle him and play with him all you like, you still wont be a adequate replacement for another piggy. You are the friendly giant who gives food, and he will love you for it, but he has nobody to speak with him in his own language, chase around the cage, popcorn with him, argue about food, cuddle up to when the weather gets a bit more chilly...
 
susie_q said:
The animal welfare act states that social animals, like piggies, rats, chinchillas, basically any small animal that lives in groups in the wild (And larger animals, I'm sure) need to be kept in social groups. (Where appropriate)

The act also says that the animals need to be allowed to exhibit natural behaviour patterns. Many argue that this should include being able to socialise with their own kind. Like piggies are much happier in groups, becuase then they can talk their own language. :)
Click to expand...

It wasnt very clear on the RSPCA website but looking on DEFRA and the animal welfare bill its much clearer thanks...:)
 
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