Moving Guinea Pig Across Country

[funkadelicfred]

I am moving across country which is about 4,000 km so if I drive my butt off it will take me 3 days to do it. Is this extremely stressful on a guinea pig or what? I'm worried the little fella is going to have a heart attack if I take him........is it better to just give him away because I really dn't want to do that either. Anyone ever done this or know the effects of it?

 

[Cavyhappy]

I have never done that before so I don't know but there surely must be some way to do it without having to give him away. Maybe if you put him or his cage on the seat next to you or the passengers lap and keep him entertained with a chew-toy or something. I would try that although don't take my word for it because I'm not an expert and I've never done that before. I guess it all depends on whether it will be too cold or the road is too bumpy or something.
Hope all goes well

 

[Briony_S]

I know some people do long journeys but this is a mammoth one @Wiebke may be able to help

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! If you can accommodate a small cage or large cardboard box in your car so he can have round the clock access to soft hay and fresh water as well as a soft hidey (soft in case of a sudden break), it is doable. Ideally, you want be able to clean him out once a day (take fresh bedding and refuse/bin bags with you). Your piggy can survive for that long in fairly constricted surroundings if that means that you don't have to give him up, which would be even more upsetting for him!

Two of my permanent fosters and their friends, who have gone on to other places, have come in cat carriers all the way from Jersey (which is a Channel Island close to France) in a 3-4 day emergency trip via a (rough) ferry crossing, several car journeys and a leg on the train, but they have all survived well, even the 9 year old (who went on to live for a few more months!) and the piggy with the weight loss (who made a full recovery). #

As you can plan ahead, I am sure that your trip will go more smoothly! If you can, let him get used to and comfy with his travel cage and/or being in a car beforehand.

Here are our travel tips: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/travelling-with-guinea-pigs.109071/

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