Taking A 2 Day Trip Home...

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TheBoarsBaggins

TheBoarsBaggins

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Hi everyone.

So I am moving home this summer. We are breaking the trip up over two days so it won't be so dreadful for the pigs. The first day will be about 6 hours and the second will be about the same. We found a pet friendly hotel to stop at. They will be traveling securely strapped in our back seat in a cat carrier while we're driving. I'm mainly concerned about them becoming dehydrated as they don't really take water from their bottle when I'm holding it. Also, I was unable to find a hotel with a fridge so we're just stuck with a cooler and ice packs to keep their food fresh. Any ideas on foods to take with us that won't spoil very quickly? Any tips would be very much appreciated. I have a feeling that pigs are more resilient than I think. I just want the trip to go as smoothly as possible for their sake.

Thank you!

Best,
Jess, Frodo, and Bilbo.
 
Pack a few syringes and a bottle of water, then you can syringe them water if it's really needed.

Have regular stop offs and give them a bit of veg with a bit of water on it.

Also, you could plan your stop offs in supermarkets and run in and buy them something fresh.
 
Long ago I travelled to the Alps with my guinea pig (8 hours by car). He did not care at all... I remember he enjoyed really much when next to the mountains we stopped and I picked up some yummy grass and dandelion leaves for him; he had a great lunch. Don't underestimate the good nutritional values of wild vegs you can find along the way (far from roads of course). Anyway peppers are made of 95% water and they don't need any fridge for keeping their freshness; also cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes and so on.
 
Okay so we're on the road...Day 1 of the trip. My poor babies look terrified. They're not wheeking or making any noises though. Would they be making sounds if they were in distress?
 
I find most of my pigs don't make noises during car rides unless they're squabbling. Is there a thin blanket, coat, jacket, tea towel etc you could put over the carrier? As long as it's not hot. It could give them a feeling of security and allow them to settle down at first. In any case they should hopefully realise after a hour or few nothing bad is going on

Travelling with guinea pigs
 
Maybe they're thinkin they have a dreaded vet trip :(
I've only ever done short trips to the vet &back in their carrier. But they always go silent for the journey.
They dont really take much notice of the travelling though.

Hopefully an hourly stop off for a water &food break would break it up. The syringe for water bottle is a good idea &cucumber is usually a winner with its high water content.

A few handfuls of hay to munch on, although not too much at one go as they may overheat if snuggled into the hay for long periods.

Make sure you have plenty of ventilation but not keep them in a draught too.

Happy travels &safe journey for you all :nod:

@karonus has his caravanning cavies -may be able to help if the travelling thread above doesn't cover a specific concern.

T-care xx
 
In our 7 years of caravanning we have found giving water nigh on impossible while travelling. However stops every 90 minutes and give cucumber and other watery veggies. Have a 15 min break and allow them to munch. Then they will settle while in motion. Cucumber, celery and romaine lettuce will last a few days at room temperature. Hay in the catrier also helps. As for room our 4 stay in a 110 cage in the van for upto 20 nights without problems. They actually chill out.
 
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