Taking the piggies on holiday?

[Kay701]

Hello, I'd like some advice on whether to take my guinea pigs on holiday or not! Haven't decided at all, just trying to scope out if it's a feasible possibility.

Why it would be nice to take them:
- the holiday cottage has a garden, we don't have one and probably won't be able to afford one until the piggies pass over. I desperately want them to experience foraging outside at least once in their lives. I know they'd love it
- we'd have them with us!
- we wouldn't have to pay for pet sitting which is honestly sooo expensive
- they've travelled journeys of up to 2 hours with us before, and are always very happy in new places (they've been a new place for up to 4 days before) because we take all their usual things & they love exploring
- there's a second bedroom they could have all to themselves!
- we have a portable air con unit we could probably squeeze in to take with us in case it gets too hot

Why it might be a problem:
- it's a 4 hour journey and they dislike the car, it's also 7 days, a longer stay than they've done before
- we'd probably be out of the holiday home for hours each day (which they're used to at home and when we've travelled with them before, but idk how it would be so far away...) and idk if it would make the holiday more stressful needing to feed them etc. obviously we'd set aside time for them to go outside while we were there, would never leave them outside unsupervised.
- Waffle has sterile cystitis, it's completely under control at the moment but there's the small possibility the stress and/or grass could cause a flare up
- if there's a heatwave it might be too hot for them in the car


Any advice?

 

[Piggie Mom]

With my piggies and half my family living 6h away we almost always take the piggies with us and it's always a delight. However we have no healthproblems with our piggies and the AC in the car is very effective so there's no risk of them overheating (I get carsick so the temp is always cool in the summer or I'd react to the warmth before my piggies even have the chance ). My newest piggie doesn't like carrides, but otherwise I've never had any problems with taking them with me.

So I can't say about the healthproblem, but with the risk of it getting a bit warm there's at least tips and tricks to keep the piggies cool and hydrated. I don't think the piggies would suffer from being alone longer periods of the day as long as the temp in the cottage is good. So at least if you don't take the healthproblem into account I think there shouldn't be any problems, but you have to determine how stressed Waffle would be if she came with you

 

[Piggies&buns]

Just a few thoughts:

I’ve never taken mine away (wouldn’t and couldn’t anyway).
The sterile cystitis and stress factor would be the main consideration for me. Keeping them cool etc is all doable.
They would be fine being without you for long periods - they have each other after all - but yes I can see keeping their feeding schedule would be a bit of a tie when you are trying to relax on holiday!

I would also add that if your piggies are not used to grass, then having time in the garden (as lovely as it is and sounds) would not be something they could just do. Grass should not be given on unprepared tummies and it takes many days of slow access to grass literally a few blades at a time. So by the time you’ve done that they would be coming home and actually not be able to enjoy foraging time.

Plus changes to diet being a risk factor for an IC flare up for waffle.

 

[AidaB]

We sometimes take our piggies away with us. Sometimes they go to boarding.
Our boys have all done very well on car journeys with masses of hay in the carriers & plenty of picnic stops for veggie snacks, to help with hydration.
We find piggie stuff takes up as much room in the car as human stuff!


I enjoy holidays with our pigs& I worry about them less, when they are with us.
I also enjoy holidays without the piggies, and having a break from the poo/hay /washing/ cleaning etc.

I think as you have mentioned there are pros & cons for both situations.

 

[Merab]

@Gem789 has taken her piggies on holiday so she could have some advice too.

Mine either get looked after by neighbours if we’re away for just a few days, otherwise they go to boarders

 

[Gem789]

Hi,I took my 2 boys to Cornwall with me by buses and trains.I live quite far from Cornwall but they did very well on the travel.I did have to give a bum bath to both boys when I got there but the did very well.