How long can I leave guinea pigs

[Penelopes mummy]

I’m trying to find somewhere that’s big enough to accommodate all 5 of my guinea pigs. I’ve never had this many before.

One place that’s really close had a 6 foot hutch which I have declined because it’s too small. Or a hutch suitable for a rabbit with a very steep ramp which I also declined. There is somewhere about an hour away from me which I used to take my 2 guinea pigs which I have now made an enquiry at but I’m wondering is it really worth the hassle of stressing them out especially as within the last few weeks one of my guinea pigs who always seems to be a bit more stressed out than the others has been suffering with problems which have now cleared up, +2 of my guinea pigs are babies and still very skittish. Mind you the holiday isn’t until October.

We are going to have to go away Saturday morning until Monday lunchtime. I’m wondering if it might be better just to leave them at home alone where they are comfy. What do you think?

 

[LilyandNugget]

I recently just started caring for guinea pigs, so I may not know as much as a lot of people in this forum. But I don’t think it would be a good idea to leave them alone for that long, especially since you’ve got baby piggies and one of your piggies has just finished recovering. Other people will definitely give you a better answer that mine but this is my opinion. Hope this helps!

 

[Piggies&buns]

If you are going to leave them at home, then you must have somebody to go in and feed, water, check them, twice a day. It will be less stressful for the piggies though given they will remain in their own environment.
If you don’t have anybody then Saturday until Monday is far too long I’m afraid and they will need to go to boarding

 

[Lucy_Piggie]

It's not recommended to leave guinea pigs alone for over 12 hours so if you're going to do the trip it's best to board them or get someone to check up on them frequently

 

[Betsy]

Boarders will be used to skittish piggies and medicating them. I have 2 very skittish piggies and they were quite happy at the boarders for 2 weeks. What I did to help settle them was to rub something that smelled of them all over the hutch before they went in it. They were eating hay as soon as they went in the hutch and settled into the new routine quickly. I'm sure your piggies will be fine on their own mini break.

 

[VickiA]

It’s worth asking at your vets if they have any recommendations for boarders with larger set ups. I’m fortunate in that where I board my piggies I am able to book a “penthouse” which is a fully enclosed indoor run rather than a hutch and offers my piggies a vast amount of space. The owners are hugely experienced and used to handling piggies.
Alternatively if you decide to leave them at home you will need to find someone to come in at least once a day (preferably twice) to check on them and provide fresh food and water etc. again your vets may know of suitable pet sitters or boarders who do home visits.

 

[Wheekallweek]

A pet sitter would be a good idea. We have a lovely lady pop in to look after our creatures when we're away, they are much happier as they're in their own familiar home.
Just make sure they're insured and reputable