Cavy Carriers - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**lafrolo** · #1 07-25-07, 10:52 am

Which is better - a small dog or cat carrier/kennel or one of those small pet carriers (the kennel is plastic and sturdy, the small pet carrier is flexible and foldable)?
I've heard you can use either, but which is best?

**JarBax** · #2 07-25-07, 11:22 am

I suppose it depends on your personal circumstances! Take into consideration how many pigs you have, how far you are travelling with them, how much money you are prepared to spend on a travel carrier, how much room you have in the house to store it etc.

I have two carriers. One is made from a plastic tub - with a grid over the top, and I use it to take my four guinea pigs out to the garden in, and the short journey to the vet (though I only took them all in it when two of them were a bit smaller). It was made in a bit of a hurry - but actually has stood the test of time well.

The second is a small dog carrier, and I have just used it to bring all four pigs on a 2 hour journey. The size made a big difference for them - they had more room to move about (but not enough in which to hurl around in, on the journey). Ventilation could 've been better on the journey up here, I will stop them from burrowning to the bottom in the future. The good thing about this carrier, is that I am presently using it as a hidey in their 'holiday pen'! It is a popular place to find them hanging out!

I personally haven't seen the flexible/foldable ones, but I think the main points to consider when choosing your carrier are -

Space - enough to move, but not too much incase of accident.
Ventilation - enough airflow to allow piggies to breath, and not overheat, though enough protection to protect from draughts.
Cost - how much are you willing to spend
Storage - have you room to store a sturdier cage - (remember, they make great hideys!)

Hope that helps a bit.

**aqh88** · #3 07-25-07, 01:48 pm

I like small fabric carriers for small dogs or cats instead of the hard plastic ones. They don't slide around in them and you can fit 2 or 3 pigs. I always take 2 pigs whenever I go to the vet unless one has something contagious. They do better with a friend along with.

Mine is similar to this one: Petmate.com

**Lorvoll** · #4 07-26-07, 01:41 pm

I usually use the hard plastic ones. I have a soft carrier that has been chewed on the inside. I believe that's why the company it's from also makes the wire cage carrier that slides into the soft one to prevent chewers from destroying it. Aqh, I really like the looks of yours. I personally have preferred the hard small dog carriers with a fluffy fleece blanket in the bottom. You can also rig up a water bottle on the metal door if need be.

**aqh88** · #5 07-26-07, 08:33 pm

The only chewing we ever had in several years of use is when the apartment flooded and in an emergency we had to transport all the pigs in their carriers sitting in the backseat of my truck to my mom's house. That was 8 pigs and the ends of the carriers were touching so the boys threw a major fit over the girls being right beyond the mesh. 1 of them tried to chew his way to them and I quickly slid a piece of paper(only thing on hand) between them. Even with a hole already started none of the pigs have continued to chew on the mesh. However I would not use a fabric or mesh carrier with most other rodents who are truly designed for chewing.

It seems no matter how much stuff I pack down onto the bottom of a hard carrier or even when I connect it to the side they still slide around. I also thought the holes in alot of those carriers were a bit large and allowed sliding pigs to slip their legs through which looked like a good way to get injured. I like them for temporary use when traveling for the fact the water bottle fits on the side and they are a bit more durable but for just transporting a short distance and back I prefer soft sided carriers. The soft sided carriers also take up less space or we wouldn't have been able to fit the whole herd in the front of my truck.

**HowietheGreat** · #6 07-26-07, 08:46 pm

I use two soft dog carriers lined with towels for short trips and vet visits. I have no chew problems and the vet staff know me by my brightly colored carriers.

My vet tells me each time how he likes my carriers.

**Jenni_Feathers** · #7 07-28-07, 01:10 pm

When ever I go camping with my Guinea Pigs (which I do ALOT) I use this carrier in the car, its a dog cage, I like it becasue of the size and ventalation over a plastic carrier but of course this one you cant really carry with you it has to stay in the car.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...eidmont037.jpg and in the camper I use this petstore cage( the larger size) Marchioro Cages: Deluxe Small Animal Wire Cages at PETCO

**lafrolo** · #8 07-29-07, 05:29 pm

That's exactly what I was looking for one for! I go camping ALL the time, and I need something to bring them in. I think I'll get a little doggie carrier, and then for the camper I'll use my dog's old kennel. It has really good ventilation.

**kala83** · #9 09-24-07, 03:19 pm

I apologize if this question has already been addressed but what size of carrier would be good for carrying three Piggies? I am going to be getting my three girls in a few weeks the first weekend of November actually and I am going to be taking them from Lenexa,KS to Columbia,MO which is at least 2 hours or 2 1/2 hours so I would like to have something comfy for them to ride in on the way back...any suggestions would be wonderful. I have a small plastic cat carrier..but its currently being used by my new kitten that me and mom just adopted about a week ago..so I might need to go out and purchase something new for the girls.