Taking piggies on public transport

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ThePiggyPalace

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I'd like to take my guinea pigs on holiday with me which would mean a train journey. Has anyone done this? Did the piggies travel OK?
 
ThePiggyPalace said:
I'd like to take my guinea pigs on holiday with me which would mean a train journey. Has anyone done this? Did the piggies travel OK?
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Hi

I have travelled quite a lot on trains to see a guinea pig specialist in another town, not rarely coming back home on the train with freshly operated piggies. A few who needed to be seen more regularly, got rather used to it.

But I have also made quite a few long journeys on the train to adopt piggies from different parts of Wales (the piggy from South Wales was about 10 weeks old and lived to celebrate her 8th birthday), West and South Yorkshire, East Anglia (to help with the transport of some emergency piggies from the Channel Islands (with a rather rough ferry crossing I understand) to Liverpool, the oldest of which was 9 years old and lived for several months longer; two others were staying here) and even as far as the eastern end of Kent.
About once a year I would allow myself to adopt a bit of a special piggy and visit a different rescue. Quite a number of my more regular adoptees have come here for other reasons, chosen by the rescue and occasionally sight unseen, or long haul transport/delivery would happen by car or we would meet somewhere halfway by a motor station etc. for the handover.
I've never had a problem or a bad reaction from other people. I would however take a taxi to/from the station if needed.

Wiebke

Thread 'Travelling with guinea pigs'

1 Preparations
- Recommended carriers
- Travel training and feeding before the journey
2 The journey
- Securing carriers in a car
- Reassurance and travel provision
3 Tips for special travelling conditions
- Travelling in hot weather
- Travelling in cold weather
- Travelling in the dark
4 After...
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The noises are usually rather frightening for the piggies but you have the same with the first car journey or vet trip. The worst is switching trains at a big station during rush hour. On the other hand, rail travel is less bumpy. Give the piggies several days to settle into their new environment with a sheet pegged over the top after their arrival in a strange place. I use a carrier which fits underneath a train seat.

Wiebke

Thread 'How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?'

- Expectations and reality
- Give them shelter and place food nearby
- Cover the cage
- Avoid behaving like a hunting predator
- Wait with handling (after your quick health check & sexing on arrival)
- Introduce new foods slowly
- Drinking
- Scent-marking ramps and unused hutch/cage areas
- Run time and lawn trips


Expections and reality
Guinea pigs take time to settle in their new surroundings; more than you think. They are prey animals and not instant living cuddly toys. The cute videos...
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All the best!
 
Hello @Wiebke and @Gem789. Many thanks for both of your replies. I'll be carrying the boys in a soft material carrier. Will it be best if I get a hard shell one? I'm scared they may bite through the material and escape.
 
ThePiggyPalace said:
Hello @Wiebke and @Gem789. Many thanks for both of your replies. I'll be carrying the boys in a soft material carrier. Will it be best if I get a hard shell one? I'm scared they may bite through the material and escape.
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They shouldn't be able to bite through (my Merlin hasn't managed biting through with the soft carrier he come with even though he tried his best to get at the ladies parading outside) but make sure that they have some soft hay, a chunk of cucumber for edible hydration and a fleece blanket to snuggle under and feel safe. Do not take them out for a cuddle in case they freak and blind jump.
 
Thank you so much. I feel reassured. I think they'll have a lovely holiday once we're there. We'll be travelling off peak so I'm hoping it won't be too busy.
 
Thank you everyone. I'm going to travel in first class (it's not much more expensive than standard) so will be quieter than standard class. I'm quite excited for the trip now.

Piggies on a train indeed!
 
ThePiggyPalace said:
Thank you everyone. I'm going to travel in first class (it's not much more expensive than standard) so will be quieter than standard class. I'm quite excited for the trip now.

Piggies on a train indeed!
Click to expand...

All the best for a smooth journey and a great time! Peg a beach towel or sheet of the cage at the other end so they can get their bearings in their new surroundings while feeling safe.
 
I've taken my boys on a train before when I was away at uni and would come home for the summer. I would suggest a hard carrier just incase someone knocks into it or if other people are travelling with dogs etc. It just gives them a bit more protection. I also put a thin blanket over their cage for most of the journey
 
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