General Taking pigs on a plane?

[TheDNDWizard]

So I am planning a trip down to Florida (I live in Pennsylvania) and I really don't want to leave them behind. How would guinea pigs do on a plane? How could a make a temporary cage for them while I am in Florida visiting relatives?

 

[Princess_Piggie]

There was a thread about travelling with pigs recently in which it was figured out that most airlines won't even allow them on a plane, let alone how stressful it would be for them. I don't know all of your airlines obviously but from what I've seen around the forum it's next to impossible to fly with them.

 

[Demiba]

Not sure if this is true anymore but in 1998 when I moved from OH to Mass. I flew with my rabbit in a carrier in the plane itself. I had to let them know and they only allow one pet per flight to be in the cabin. I believe it was Delta. Maybe you can at least call some airlines and see.

 

[Starthecavy123]

I've heard that its very expensive. Plus I think you'd have a hard time finding one that would even allow them on. Of course you can always call around. I'm just not to sure its only what I've heard.

 

[TheDNDWizard]

I did call up Delta and they only allow birds, cats, and dogs.

 

[Starthecavy123]

You can always find someone to pig sit them.

 

[TheDNDWizard]

I usually have my sister watch them for me but I am only gone for like two days TOPS. I'm not sure if she can handle them or a whole week to week and a half.

 

[ClemmyOddieIndy]

There is likely a boarding facility that will take them. My cousin always watched my guinea pigs, but when I went to WDW last fall she was unable to (she was very pregnant). I took them to a local boarding facility, and they were given a large room (probably 12' x 12') to themselves. It was away from the other animals, and there was a whole wall that was a window that faced the front desk so they could be easily observed. It was actually an awesome facility, far better than I could've imagined, and better than anywhere I'd taken my dog before. The way I found them was just calling all the local facilities and asking if they boarded exotics. Those that said yes I put on a list, and then went and found reviews, the place with the best reviews is where I took them.

 

[pigger123]

I know you can fly with a cat in the cabin, I don't see why piggies shouldn't be allowed. Of course it would be very stressful for them and I don't recommend doing it, but why is it prohibited by the airline?

 

[guineapigcraz27]

I know you can fly with a cat in the cabin, I don't see why piggies shouldn't be allowed. Of course it would be very stressful for them and I don't recommend doing it, but why is it prohibited by the airline?

Possible because 1. The airline might think that they will stink (even though we all know that its the soiled bedding that stinks) and 2. Because the noise a piggie might make cats may occasionally purr or meow but if you have a hungry piggie he'll squeak and squeak which can be pretty loud and annoying for other passengers.

 

[Princess_Piggie]

I also imagine they have the same issue a lot of people do with small pets, "ew, rodents". I know so many people that say "I can't believe they're rodents, rodents are so disgusting!" about my girls.

 

[Princess_Piggie]

I feel like the "rodent" issue is the biggest one for airlines. We know our pigs won't chew out of their carriers and chew the plane, but that seems to be the enduring perception. When I researched flying with the pigs, I found that usually cats, dogs, birds, and rabbits were the only ones allowed, and not coincidentally, those are the animals most people see as "real" pets.

I find animals in the cabin a bizarre concept regardless of what animal it is though. I mean what if the person in the seat next to you is allergic to your dogs fur? Or the person behind you has tinnitus and you've got a loud bird with you? Planes flying to England aren't allowed to have animals in Cabin, but I suppose that's an international flight so the rules are vastly different.

 

[KCPiggies]

*NEVER* let the airlines stuff your piggies or any other pets in the cargo. The temperatures aren't as regulated as in the cabin, and small pets like guinea pigs will be very stressed out in there with all the dogs barking inside. Many pets have died when they had to be put in the cargo hold. You can't really tell what's happening to your pet when they're in there.
Your pet could freeze to death or overheat if the airline wants them in there.
Either way, a plane ride will probably stressful, but if they stuff your pet in the cargo it may die.
Airlines usually have their pet policy on their website.

 

[Princess_Piggie]

@ThePigAlchemist if I were your dad I'd be demanding a seat change for either myself or the cat lady. I got sick on a 9-10 hour flight from here to Florida when I was 11 and it was just hell, if I knew there was someone causing that (or rather, if my mum knew) she'd give them a right talking to.

I'd never want to take my pets on a flight anyway, but if I did and someone were allergic, I'd absolutely offer to move. It's just plain rude to be ignorant of others around you!

 

[pinky]

I usually have my sister watch them for me but I am only gone for like two days TOPS. I'm not sure if she can handle them or a whole week to week and a half.

If you use fleece, switch to Fresh News Bedding or Carefresh and put an extra thick layer in there. If your cage exceeds the recommended size for the number of guinea pigs you have, she might be able to spot clean areas on the top of the bedding without changing the bedding while you're gone. Make a list of exactly what she has to do each day and follow up with a phone call once a day in case she has questions. How old is she?

 

[TheDNDWizard]

My sister is 15. But she has autism. I am NOT saying she is stupid but I am saying that she is irresponsible. I left my pigs earlier this week for two days with her and when I came home I went right to see them and they had escaped out of their cage. One of the cubes had become unattached. When I called her down to my bedroom I showed her that they had escaped (thankfully I stress the "closing the door behind you rule") So they had just ran under my dresser. She claims she tripped over their cage the night before and it must have popped open. In which I told her that she should have checked on them earlier the day I came home. (It was about 5 o'clock pm that I got home.) Not only this but they did not have any hay or pellets. This is the reason I feel I cannot trust her to look after them.

 

[Princess_Piggie]

You could look in to (and even ask around here) if there are any pet sitters who would be willing to check your pigs daily while you're away. I know a few times I've seen a thread where a member has been in a similar situation and someone's offered to help out, so there'd be no harm asking as well as googling local pet sitters.

 

[KCPiggies]

I'm going to assume that that your post is just your opinion, because none of it is based on fact. I worked for an airline for 30 years and I can tell you that you are dead wrong in your assumptions.

I'm sorry I offended you. I didn't intend to do that whatsoever. I was just going by what I've read on so many reputable websites and so many news articles of animals dying in the cargo hold on planes (not the cabin). I'm glad to hear things are a lot better than they are portrayed everywhere else.

I'd like to back up what I said with some links and a quote I found on what I believe is a reputable website:

Be aware of the dangers of flying your pet in a cargo hold. Animals flown in the cargo area of airplanes are killed, injured, or lost on commercial flights each year. Excessively hot or cold temperatures, poor ventilation, and rough handling are often to blame.


Most U.S. airlines are required to report all companion animal incidents that occur in the cargo hold, and consumers should study the performance record of any airline before choosing to ship a pet as cargo.
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More links to back up what I said:

https://www.aspca.org/blog/animal-deaths-airplane-cargo-holds-inspires-new-transparency
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/air-travel-tips
https://www.aspca.org/blog/take-action-animals-flown-cargo-get-first-class-upgrade
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https://www.smithsonianmag.com/trav...on-an-airplane-worth-the-risk-6241533/?no-ist
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https://www.cbsnews.com/news/7-puppies-die-after-american-airlines-flight/
https://www.cnn.com/2013/01/11/living/mnn-pet-airline-deaths/
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/travel/petition-urges-protections-pets-traveling-plane-f2D11663218
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/dog-book/chapter6-2.html
https://traveltips.usatoday.com/dangerous-pet-travel-luggage-compartment-airplane-9941.html
https://metro.co.uk/2013/11/28/bamb...90-degree-heat-during-flight-layover-4206299/
https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/united-airlines-killed-golden-retriever-model/story?id=17287486
https://www.peta.org/living/companion-animals/travel-tips/air-travel/
https://www.thepettransporterguys.com/blog/2014/01/31/Another-dog-dies-on-the-airlines.aspx