Weekend trip

[Arielle72]

My family and I are going on a weekend trip and our piggie cannot go with us. What is the best thing to do with him for the weekend? I tried asking a neighbor who also has a piggie if she would mind coming in once a day and giving him a handful of lettuce and making sure his pellets and water were okay, but she said she can't.

So, is it okay to just leave him with a big bowlful of pellets and a big block of hay, and make sure the water bottle is full before we go? He'll only be alone all day on Saturday. Leaving midmorning Friday and returning midafternoon Sunday. Will he be okay for that time?

If not, what should I do with him? I'm worried about him.

[Char-x]

I wouldn't ever leave a pig unattended for any longer than 12 hours. Can you not try other friends? relatives? I'm not sure but prehaps call up a company that does dog walking/pet sitting and see if they would be willing to do what needs to be done.

[i-love-nev]

I agree. Cant you put him in a 1x2 cage for the ride there and then open it out into a 2x3/2x2 when you get there? Other then that a petsitter or piggy boarding would be the only options I think.

[willowfaery]

I would see if there is someone you trust that can come in and give them their veggies. It doesn't take long. Maybe you can offer to bribe them with a little money? Even if it's $5 or $10. They might even refuse the money and do it anyway.

If you do find out you can take them with you, let me know and I will give you some travel tips. I just took a 10 hour car trip with my piggies! Craziness, I know. But, it was all worth it. Now I don't have to worry about them. BUT I do understand that some things are out of our control. Just make sure you get someone to come and tend to them while you're gone.

[Arielle72]

Originally Posted by willowfaery

I would see if there is someone you trust that can come in and give them their veggies. It doesn't take long. Maybe you can offer to bribe them with a little money? Even if it's $5 or $10. They might even refuse the money and do it anyway.

If you do find out you can take them with you, let me know and I will give you some travel tips. I just took a 10 hour car trip with my piggies! Craziness, I know. But, it was all worth it. Now I don't have to worry about them. BUT I do understand that some things are out of our control. Just make sure you get someone to come and tend to them while you're gone.

I'm trying. I've just asked teh father of the girl who usually babysits my daughter if she could pig-sit for me for the weekend. I'll supply everything she needs.

We are taking the train on a sight seeing trip, so he'd be stuck in a travel carrier the whole time. Not good!

[willowfaery]

Yeah, piggies stuck in a carrier on a train for the weekend doesn't sound like a good idea. I hope it all works out for you. I know how hectic it gets when you have to leave town and you own pets. Regardless if you take them with you or not, it's stressful seeing that they have everything they need while your gone. I need to take a picture of my car before I leave to go back home. 99% of the stuff in my car was for my piggies. It was loaded. I had a hard time finding room for MY things. Boy do I love my piggies! HAHA

[Percy's Mom]

If you can get someone to come in, that would be the best idea. Frankly though, I have left my pigs for 24-48 hours quite a few times with an extra water bottle or two, a few extra pellets, a salad, and an extra pile of hay. They were fine every time. Of course I had irritable piggies when I came back who demanded an extra large veggie pile immediately when I walked in the door.

[Feylin]

Be prepared for some yelling when you come back! I have my boyfriend look in on the pigs and feed them once a day when I leave. They still yell when I walk in the door though.

[cavyinhawaii]

Originally Posted by Percy's Mom

If you can get someone to come in, that would be the best idea. Frankly though, I have left my pigs for 24-48 hours quite a few times with an extra water bottle or two, a few extra pellets, a salad, and an extra pile of hay. They were fine every time. Of course I had irritable piggies when I came back who demanded an extra large veggie pile immediately when I walked in the door.

I have done this too.

[WheeksUnlimited]

I have left my 4 boys for 2 days on several occasions. Just make sure they have plenty of hay and water, and some pellets.

When you return, be prepared for a ton of wheeks and plenty of poops

[Arielle72]

I found a friend who is willing to take him for the weekend. She currently has 3 birds, but used to have 3 piggies. She seems knowledgeable. I will leave a nice list of instructions for her. She's actually going to take him to her house, so he won't be alone. She's really looking forward to it as she misses her piggies. I bet after this weekend, she goes and gets new ones, what do ya'll think?

[Char-x]

2 days?! I could never relax away if I left them that long.

Arielle - I think thats great news that you have found someone. Just make sure to leave them very obvious and specific instructions and make sure they are housed in a draft free area etc.

[willowfaery]

Originally Posted by Arielle72

I found a friend who is willing to take him for the weekend. She currently has 3 birds, but used to have 3 piggies. She seems knowledgeable. I will leave a nice list of instructions for her. She's actually going to take him to her house, so he won't be alone. She's really looking forward to it as she misses her piggies. I bet after this weekend, she goes and gets new ones, what do ya'll think?

That's wonderful news! Now you can have a great time on your trip without worrying. I hope you enjoy yourself.

[piggerz]

I have left my piggies alone for a rare weekend over the years. Just leave them extra water, pellets, hay and veggies (which of course will be gone about 20 minutes after you leave). But they will be fine, unless of course, you have a inkling that one might be getting sick. Mine are used to long days by themselves because I work 2 jobs and don't come home in between.

[Sammy and Peanut]

Originally Posted by Char-x

2 days?! I could never relax away if I left them that long.

Arielle - I think thats great news that you have found someone. Just make sure to leave them very obvious and specific instructions and make sure they are housed in a draft free area etc.

I wouldn't be able to relax either! I am nervous already since we are going to Disney World in May for a week!

[auburnmare5]

Originally Posted by Percy's Mom

If you can get someone to come in, that would be the best idea. Frankly though, I have left my pigs for 24-48 hours quite a few times with an extra water bottle or two, a few extra pellets, a salad, and an extra pile of hay. They were fine every time. Of course I had irritable piggies when I came back who demanded an extra large veggie pile immediately when I walked in the door.

I have left my pig for a weekend multiple times. He only comes with my family and I when we are gone for more than 2 nights. I just give him lots of hay, veggies, pigloo, plently of food, and I fill his 32 oz. bottle to the top! I also clean his cage or if it was just cleaned and does not need it, I pu tnew shavings on top!

He has done that for about 4.5 years and he has never had a problem. The only problem I had was when I got home, and he was freaking out. I thought something was wrong but, he was screaming at me to hold him!

But like I said, never had a problem. If he is new, I would not try it because I know I would not like it if I were in a fairly new home and I was left alone for a longer period of time!