Holiday advice needed

Status
Not open for further replies.
katdralion

katdralion

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jan 29, 2009
Messages
323
Reaction score
0
Points
230
Location
Glasgow
I'm not sure what to do with my gang of 6 when I go on holiday. I'm going to London for 2 weeks. Last year I only had 3 piggies and we managed to bundle them and all their gear in the back of the car and take them with us. The journey was very stressful for them though and it took them a couple of days to recover.

This year I have 6, so I would need to take 2 cages with me. We don't have a big car so we have to fold two back seats down and put the 2 cages inside each other... it's a VERY tight squeeze. Last year the piggies stayed in their cage for travelling but I couldn't have the 6 in one cage, they'd kill each other! I'd need to split them into carriers for the journey and then split them into 2 cages when I get there.

I am really worried that this would be too stressful for them. They are free range at home and are not used to being locked in a cage.

I have found someone who looks after your pets at home, she used to work as an animal assistant at a vets so has experience, although not necessarily
with guinea pigs. I can pay her to visit twice a day to feed and clean out the piggies. I think this would be less stressful for the pigs but I'm worried sick about leaving them with a stranger and in case they get sick while I'm away.

Should I stress them out by taking them with me, but at least I'll know they're safe or should I leave them in their home environment and pay a stranger to look after them? What would you do?
 
It is a long journey for them but only you know your piggies. Mine seem to travel fine (I don't think they actually realise they're travelling) but I haven't done long distances with them. Longest journey has been about 1.5 hours.

Is there a rescue near you that would have them whilst you were away? That way you would know that they were in good hands.

If you are really worried about leaving them, and the stranger is the only option then I think I would take them. Schedule a few breaks in and give them their favourite veggies to keep them happy. And some comfy beds. They may snooze the whole way then... yeah right!
 
I would seriously consider the animal sitter option. Ask them to call round to meet the piggies and discuss their care before committing. You can see how they interact with the piggies and discuss the care required. If you feel better, you could portion out the fresh food for morning and evening and leave it in your fridge for their visits.

If you don't get a great vibe off them during their visit, then you always have the travelling option.
 
I always have the son of one of my mums friend some round to see mine, he pops in in the morning to do their water general check, then again in the late afternoon to do their veg and the likes so i think that the pet sitter idea is the far best option it works for me.
 
I don't think that length of journey, knowing what the motorways can be like, would be advisable unless you have bags of space and air conditioning. xx
 
Thanks everyone for the advice. I think I'm going to go for the sitter. I think it will be the least stressful for the pigs and they'll be much better off in their home environment.

She sounds lovely on the phone and she has loads of vet friends to turn to for advice if need be. She can syringe feed and she'll take them to my own vet if they're ill. She's even going to weigh them for me so it all sounds good! Her prices seem very reasonable too - £9 for 2 visits a day.

She's coming round next week to meet the gang and I'm sure it will be fine. She could be a Godsend as I'm going abroad later on in the year for 3 and 1/2 weeks and was worried sick about what I was going to do with my babies.

I'll let you know how it goes incase anyone else in the Glasgow area is looking for holiday care.
 
I personally think that if your pigs were stressed out last time, they will likely to be stressed out again. My pigs are OK travelling but it is only a 2 hour journey. My girls are all going to a small animal hotel in 2 weeks time for 9 days. I have never left them with a stranger before but the owner let us go and have a look around before we committed to taking them there.
 
I'm sure the small animal hotel will be fine because they specialise in looking after guineas and rabs but it's still a worrying time because no matter who we leave them with they don't know them like we do and you worry they might not spot the first signs of illness. And we worry that our babies will miss us and think we've abandoned them although I'm sure they don't really think like that and probably couldn't care less as long as they're fed!

Last year the journey took us over 12 hours with all the stops and William and Rosie didn't eat a thing, I couldn't even tempt them with their favourite veg. Honey wasn't too bad, she was still eating. I wasn't prepared for this as it was the first time I'd travelled any distance with them and I thought they would be OK as they were in their big cage with all their things around them, but they weren't. It took a good few days of syringe feeding to get them back to normal. I was there for 3 weeks last year so they had plenty of time to recover and they were actually fine on the return journey.

This year I've twice as many pigs and Milly and Peppermint were the cardboard box pigs so they've had enough stress in their little lives and I wasn't sure how they'd react with a journey like this. Plus if I take them anywhere for the holidays even to an animal hotel or rescue I don't think there is a cage big enough for 6 so they would have to be split up which I don't want. So I'm sure this is the best option for them I'll just be worried sick for the entire time.
 
you could try Romily our fosterer on here but I am not sure how far she is away from you etc best to check with her

Ooh I never thought of that! Thanks
 
If you're really stuck and depending on when you go, I could take them in for you.

I have a similar situation next week as I'm away up north. My inlaws are literally next door but I'd rather a piggie-person was on hand to look after them so if anyone fancies having my two for a week, just let me know! Not taking over your thread though so if anyone is interested, please PM me!
 
I am just outside Lockerbie and do piggy boarding - IF I have the room - it depends on the dates.

I work with Sokel and Becklen Rescues and am sure someone will vouch for me should you wish to leave them here.

Helen.
x
 
Hi Hels. How are you?
I did think about bringing the gang to you. I'm sure you'd love to see Honey, Mais and Baby Rose again but I didn't think you'd have the room to keep all 6 together and I didn't want to split them unless absolutely necessary.
By the way there are some pics of them in this thread in case you missed it!

"For Logiebear" It's on page 12 of stories and photos. Sorry I don't know how to do quotes and references.
Love L. XX
 
Thanks for the offer Helen.
I really don't want them split up as Maisie was such a royal pain in the beginning and I'm worried I'd have to go through all that again when I put them back together also I'd pity any girl that had to share a cage with her!
I'm going to try the sitter this time and see how it goes as I can always come home if they need me.
XX
 
Trouble with a capital T!
I think she's a bit hormonal actually. My previous vet wanted to spay her but I got a second opinion and she's safe for now. Although recently she's starting to lose a bit of hair on her sides so it may need further investigating.
 
Depending were you are in Glasgow I could feed and look after your piggies at your house, I could drop in thoughout the day to make sure all is well and to make sure they are getting there veg and cuddles ;).

Pm me if I can help.
 
I always leave mine at home - rabbits and piggies. I either pay a lady to feed and exercise (rabbits) twice a day or my friend comes round and does the same - I think it's much less stressful for them. I don't actually think they know I'm gone! rolleyes
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top