How long?

[Butterscotch2]

How long can a guinea pig last in a car? My friend wants to get a guinea pig (and so do I, but later one), but there aren't many shelters near us. But I did find a shelter that is about 6 hours away with tons of different ages, breeds, genders, etc. I think that would be the best place to get her one. My friend will be a first time owner and I have directed her to this site. She may become a member soon, hopefully.

[naturegal592]

I just had 2 guinea pigs on the road for 2 day and they are fine. I used a large laundry basket, fleece, mattress pads and a large towel. I gave them water when we would stop, they had a bowl of food and a pile of hay at all times. I also gave them a bowl of watered down veggies once and a while. If you are prepared they will be fine.

[Butterscotch2]

I like the laundry basket idea, but wha if the new pig(s) don't like fleece and chew it? Hay would fall right out of the basket right? Everything else seems great though. You could have hung a water bottle over the side of the basket, if the water bottle had a hook at the top and you had the wire for it. Thanks!

[newpiggiemommy]

If traveling in a car, you do not want to put anything (food dish, water bottle, etc.) in the cage/basket with them that is heavy and could hurt them in a sudden stop.

Traveling with piggies is not hard. They are quite simple! Just get a cage/basket, put in your towel/fleece lining (they will be fine with fleece for a few hours in a car), I would use a paper bowl/plate for food and veggies. If you give them veggies (like lettuce) that is wet they will get enough water for the trip. If you make a bathroom stop you could have a water bottle on hand and hang it before you get out to use the rest room, and remove it when you get back. If it is necessary, you can hold the piggie and shake the fleece out to give them a fresh place to travel!

Good Luck! And thank you and your friend for adopting/rescuing!

[rabbitsncavyluv]

As long as they are comfortable and you have AC (if it's warm), they should be fine. Pack wet veggies for the road so they don't get dehydrated.

[fourboys4now]

When I adopted my last 2 boys, Tribble and Cerk, they were driven 3 1/2 hours to me, then we drove them back to my house 3 1/2 hours. They were in a cat carrier lined in towels with fleece on top. They were very tame already so my daughter and I were able to hold them part of the way home. This was when the weather was still cold, so we just kept the car warm but comfortable.

We offered the water bottle to them and fed them wet parsley and cucumbers. They were fine and it just took a little while for them to get adjusted to their new home. I would not worry about traveling 6 hours with new piggies, as long as you're prepared ahead of time the trip should go well. Thank you for wanting to adopt and willing to drive to do so!

[Butterscotch2]

Well, how much would it cost for gas to drive 6 hours? And about the fleece question, what if the new piggers don't like the fleece?

[TX_2_Pigs]

I just built a quick little travel cage out of cubes and scrap coroplast.


Now I us it as my loft by "opening up" the back and laying it flat.

[hydrohoki]

My pigs are about to do a 4 day cross country move with me. We've been preparing by bringing them to work and such with me (they stay under my desk for and hour and then i run them home) to get them used to the cage. I guess this isn't an option for a new pig but I wouldn't worry about the fleece too much. She'll probably be scared and not mess with it.

[Butterscotch2]

TX_2_Pigs, I love it. I will probably do that when traveling and that way I can hang the water bottle on the outside so it can hurt the guinea pig (s). And good thinking, hydrohoki. Thanks everyone! I am fully assured that the pig(s) can travel safley and comfortably.

[auburnmare5]

I have Coco in the car on rides to our summer house anywhere from 1 hour to 2.5 hours depending on traffic. I use his old petstore cage, and I will start bringing a box of grids to set up for outside. Keep them out of the sun by putting a sheet over the cage, or the window.

[fourboys4now]

When we drove the 6-7 hours to adopt the boys, it took almost exactly a tank of gas. I drive an older 1994 Toyota Carolla, so it gets pretty decent gas mileage.

[luvsgiraffes]

Just becareful about hanging those rollerball water bottles in the car. I did that with a filled one and by the time I got home (4 hours later) the piggies and their towel were a bit soggy because the water had leaked all over the place! THe shaking of the car will make the water constantly drip.

Also with a new piggie... I'd say that they will probably be so scared they may just sit there the whole time. My two girls hardly moved because they wre so scared of me and everything... so maybe leave some wet lettuce or something for them to munch on. Just make sure you give them something to hide under.

[auburnmare5]

I accidentally did the same.
If you don't have another oprtion, put a little dish under it to catch them.

[Jenni_Feathers]

I wouldn't put in the water bottle at all. Just offer it to her when you stop. Thats what I do. I also give them hay and watery vegs.

[TX_2_Pigs]

As others have mentioned, you don't want to hang the water bottle while you are moving. All the bumps and turns and curves will cause the bottle to leak and make a mess. Give extra wet veggies instead and offer the water bottle if/when you stop.

[Cosmictadpole]

Originally Posted by TX_2_Pigs

I just built a quick little travel cage out of cubes and scrap coroplast. Now I us it as my loft by "opening up" the back and laying it flat.

This is a great idea! I was wondering how I was going to get my two little ones to the vet today, and I think I'll copy your idea!