How long can you leave cavies for?

[stelly]

I have read that it's okay to leave the cavies alone for one night, as long as this is only a rare occurance. Is this true, or will they get all annoyed at being abandoned? I would leave plenty of extra food and water.

Find it hard to work out whether they think like dogs (ie. MUST be fed at the same time every day, and get upset when no people around) or more like hamsters, etc. (ie. don't mind too much as long as there is food around).

This is all because my husband was complaining about no more weekends away once the piggies arrive!

 

[chucklesmom]

I have left my pigs alone for one night several times. They have always been fine. However they have one another to keep them company...i wouldn't do it with a single piggy. I have found that 24 hours is about the max i can go without them needing something. I am lucky however, typically if i am going somewhere for longer than a night i can either bring them with me or my parents are more than happy to care for them for a while.

 

[kennethlhm]

U mentioned about cavies so I believe u have more than 1 cavy, rite? Then should b ok, as they got accompany.

 

[Treen]

Personally I wouldn't leave mine alone for longer than 12 hours - any longer than that and I'd just ask a neighbour to pop in to check their water/ pellets were fine, and throw a few veggies their way.

A lot of it depends on your routine with them - they don't adapt well to change so if they're used to being fed veggies twice or three times a day, try not to change it. There are a lot of animal lovers out there who will be happy to stop by and check on your piggers for you, and it gives you peace of mind.

 

[GuineaTV]

big cage - big advantage

THis is where the big cages or free range setups come in handy - I have extra water bottles, extra food dishes, & lots of newspaper available for when I go away - I have to admit it's really smelly when i get back but the pigs are not left wanting! If I was going away for more than 48 hours I'd want someone to change the water.