Travel advice required

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Wrii

New Born Pup
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Hi! I have two cavies who turned 5 years old in February. In a month, they will be doing quite a bit of travelling in cabs and train. The train journey is going to be around 24 hours or a little less but it’s going to be a two-seated cabin so that it’s not noisy and crowded. The one thing I need to mention is that they are scared of everything. Even if I take them to their vet, they get pretty distressed. And with the summers, things are gonna get bad. So, I just wanted to ask if someone has had any such experience and could give me advice on how to transport them without traumatising them. They’re my life, my babies. I can’t risk anything happening to them but I’m forced to move cities otherwise I’ll lose my house and job. Please help. Thanks

P.s. if it’s any help, I stay in India. The exotic vets situation isn’t very good here. Also, the summer is horrible rn
 
Oh my word what a dilemma, could you do the journey in smaller lengths of time or would it work out far too expensive? 🤔
 
You may find our travelling guide link in the post above very helpful.

I have travelled with newly adopted guinea pigs up to 5 hours on a series of trains (with changes) and have helped to transport on the train some guinea pigs that have come all the way from the Channel Islands in the wake of a domestic abuse/breakup emergency, which was a several days journey including a rough Channel crossing on a ferry. The oldest piggy was 9 years old but made it to then private sanctuary in Liverpool and lived on for several months more. Two piggies of that bunch stayed on with me.

Just make sure that you have soft hay to lie on or to burrow into (depending on your climate). Just leave them be as much as you can outside feeding (put that close to them); they will find taking out and cuddling in a foreign environment very stressful whereas they will feel much safer snuggled up in their carrier. Use a large chunk of cucumber for hydration. If they do not eat a lot during that time, it is not the end of the world; they will catch up again once they have settled down. ;)
 
CTWC said:
Oh my word what a dilemma, could you do the journey in smaller lengths of time or would it work out far too expensive? 🤔
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It’s not about expenses. I live in India and conditions here aren’t as good as they’re outside of the country. I can’t take them in a flight since they will have to be put in cargo hold. The train cabin seems like the best option. Even their vet advised the same but we are worried about the travel times.
 
Wiebke said:
You may find our travelling guide link in the post above very helpful.

I have travelled with newly adopted guinea pigs up to 5 hours on a series of trains (with changes) and have helped to transport on the train some guinea pigs that have come all the way from the Channel Islands in the wake of a domestic abuse/breakup emergency, which was a several days journey including a rough Channel crossing on a ferry. The oldest piggy was 9 years old but made it to then private sanctuary in Liverpool and lived on for several months more. Two piggies of that bunch stayed on with me.

Just make sure that you have soft hay to lie on or to burrow into (depending on your climate). Just leave them be as much as you can outside feeding (put that close to them); they will find taking out and cuddling in a foreign environment very stressful whereas they will feel much safer snuggled up in their carrier. Use a large chunk of cucumber for hydration. If they do not eat a lot during that time, it is not the end of the world; they will catch up again once they have settled down. ;)
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You have no idea how much comfort your reply has given me. Thank you ❤️ my babies are my life. I can’t see them suffer. Now my only worry is what kind of crate I should get since they have a whole room to themselves with a custom made house. That house can’t be carried in the train since it’s huge. Can you please advise me on that? It would be a huge help
 
Wrii said:
You have no idea how much comfort your reply has given me. Thank you ❤️ my babies are my life. I can’t see them suffer. Now my only worry is what kind of crate I should get since they have a whole room to themselves with a custom made house. That house can’t be carried in the train since it’s huge. Can you please advise me on that? It would be a huge help
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I would recommend a cat carrier or a small pet box (see the link below); it also comes in handy for vet visits. Ideally you introduce it in their cage as a new hidey in the way they travel so they have positive associations with and are less scared/stressed about it.
Travelling with guinea pigs
Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike
 
Wiebke said:
I would recommend a cat carrier or a small pet box (see the link below); it also comes in handy for vet visits. Ideally you introduce it in their cage as a new hidey in the way they travel so they have positive associations with and are less scared/stressed about it.
Travelling with guinea pigs
Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike
Click to expand...

PS: In view of the hot climate, a larger cat carrier with open sides for ventilation would be likely better. I would also recommend to use a travel coolbox for cold/frozen water bottles and your piggy supplies.

It would help us if you please added your country to location in you account details (click on your username on the top bar) to make it appear with every post. This will ensure that we can take the conditions in your country re. climate and vet access etc into account straight away to adjust our advice to what you may need in order to make the best of your own situation instead of starting off with the UK standard, which is where our forum is based. It does help both sides.
:)
 
Wiebke said:
PS: In view of the hot climate, a larger cat carrier with open sides for ventilation would be likely better. I would also recommend to use a travel coolbox for cold/frozen water bottles and your piggy supplies.

It would help us if you please added your country to location in you account details (click on your username on the top bar) to make it appear with every post. This will ensure that we can take the conditions in your country re. climate and vet access etc into account straight away to adjust our advice to what you help you make the best of your own situation instead of starting off with the UK standard, which is where our forum is based. It does help both sides.
:)
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I’ll do that. Thank you very much
 
CTWC said:
You must stay in touch and keep us up to date with your plans and journey 🌈
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I will! They hate cages so I’ll probably build them a smaller house or something. I’ll keep you guys updated. This is going to be a huge move for us and I hope they make it. Where we are moving, things are better accessible.
 
To keep your guinea pigs comfortable while traveling, use a cat carrier with good airflow, provide soft bedding, their usual food, and water, and try to minimize disturbances during the journey
 
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