Tips And Tricks For Long Distance Travel?

[Joannajars]

Hello everyone,
I am a student and so live with my 3 boars in a different city to where my parents live and so over Christmas break will be going home for 3 weeks leaving me no option but to take them with me. It's a 2-3 hour drive and will have to be there and back (3 weeks apart though)
I just wondered if anyone has any tips or ideas for keeping them calm during the long trip, I won't be able to keep them in there cage in the car as it's too big so will need to be folded down and put into the boot, I considered keeping them on my lap however I can't see them all sitting still for the duration so my only other option is a large plastic box. Anyone got ideas on how to make it more comfortable for them i.e. Covering it with a blanket?

Also how likely are they to settle into the new environment while I'm back, they'll still have the same cage but I imagine the smells will be quite different due to having dogs.
Sorry for the long post

 

[TheCavySlave]

I'd say hay and some hay, maybe some more hay. They can burrow in it to feel safe, and eat it! Put something with their scent, like a toy or blanket in there too. A temporary cage type of thing. As @Wiebke is a piggy expert, I'll tag her in.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everyone,
I am a student and so live with my 3 boars in a different city to where my parents live and so over Christmas break will be going home for 3 weeks leaving me no option but to take them with me. It's a 2-3 hour drive and will have to be there and back (3 weeks apart though)
I just wondered if anyone has any tips or ideas for keeping them calm during the long trip, I won't be able to keep them in there cage in the car as it's too big so will need to be folded down and put into the boot, I considered keeping them on my lap however I can't see them all sitting still for the duration so my only other option is a large plastic box. Anyone got ideas on how to make it more comfortable for them i.e. Covering it with a blanket?

Also how likely are they to settle into the new environment while I'm back, they'll still have the same cage but I imagine the smells will be quite different due to having dogs.
Sorry for the long post

Hi! You will find our travel guide with lots of tips helpful. At that distance, just feed them up on something juicy like cucumber, celery or a bit of fresh grass, and with some soft hay that cannot give them an eye injury to snuggle intoe and nibble on you do not need to worry during the drive. Piggies usually go to sleep with a full belly and the vibration. Occasionally you may hear a squeak of protest when somepig squashes up too much.
A small carrier is better for safety reasons.

It will take them about two days to settle in, as it does in every new environment and you may see sme dominance behaviour while they re-establish the hierarchy in a new territory. If you wish to, take a slighly soiled fleece and their usual huts uncleaned, so their new cage smells "right". Cover the cage with another fleece for the first day to give them a feeling of protection while they are getting their bearings. make sure that the dogs can't get at them and keep them out of the room if at possible.

I have driven with piggies of mine for up to 6 hours one way in a car and for over 3 hours by train; they cope - more often you do it, the better!
Travelling with guinea pigs

 

[Flutterby]

If you are travelling them in a carrier (I recommend something like a cat carrier) then its a good idea to introduce it into their cage space for a while before hand so they can start using it as their bed/ hidey hole and become comfortable with it.