General Travelling with Guinea Pigs

[aoifeoc]

Hello everyone,

I was looking for advice on travelling with Guinea Pigs.

My partner and I have 2 guinea pigs which were initially going to be boarded for Christmas while we travelled back to Ireland(from the UK) for Christmas and New Years.

Our boarding has fallen through(aswell as our 2 back ups!). We initially didn't want to bring them with us because we thought the travel we be too upsetting for them.

We are now thinking that we will have to bring them with us but I was wondering if anyone has any tips/recommendations on what to do. We are travelling by train and ferry, a total trip of about 11 hours.

Hope you can help!
X

 

[ellisa]

Hello and welcome to the forum!
I've taken my pig on trips with me many times, and they were about the same duration that yours will be. I like to use a large dog crate lined with towels and fleece. I put cozies in the kennel as well as pellets and hay. Water bottles usually don't work in cars because they get jiggled around too much and end up dripping all over. It would probably work in a train and ferry, though. Make sure to bring plenty of wet veggies and feed often so your pigs stay hydrated. I also bring a blanket to cover the crate if it gets a bit drafty. When we get to our destination, I use a large play pen or grids and a shower curtain to use as a cage. Hope this helps! Post if you have any more questions! Most pigs are pretty good at traveling, so I think you should be fine if you bring them!

 

[aoifeoc]

Thank you very much for the advice ellisa! You have calmed me down so much! Hopefully the noise of the train stations wont stress them out(we have to do about 3 changes) The ferry also has a policy of no animals on the passenger deck so they'll have to by kept down below, I'm going to see if I can organise for us to check on them regularly.

All I have to do now is let the folks know that we'll be bringing some little friends home for Christmas!

 

[Kieri]

i use the same kennel technique when traveling with my pigs.

before going on the trip, you should introduce the kennel to your pigs. have it out during floor time so they can roam in and out of it and grow used to it. when the time comes for the travel, it won't be as scary.

i've never been on a ferry before, but hopefully you can talk them into allowing you to have the kennel with you while on the ferry, rather than down below. you can explain they are animals that need fresh air and would be stressed out if held down below in a stuffy place.

have fun and good luck on your trip!

 

[Marybonus]

Hello. I would keep them with me on the ferry. Down below e temp rises to really life threatening proportions. Please find out about that. I have travelled by ferry with dogs. I neverl left them downbelow because they had to stay in the car and I had heard of some sad stories with dogs. Sorry to make you nervous, but I thought I'd tell you so that you could find out if there are other options.

 

[aoifeoc]

I've checked on their website and no animals are allowed on the main deck. As far as I am aware they have a separate area for animals(not the car deck). I'll be ringing them in the morning to see what I can do.

I'll let you guys know what happens

 

[aoifeoc]

Right I thought I should let you all know the good news!

We had 2 ferry companies to chose from - Irish Ferries and Stena Line. When I called them up, Irish Ferries was a definite no no on the piggies on the main deck, Stena Line however we're lovely and understanding of the situation and were fine with the piggies being up with us as long as we don't let them out to go on a little adventure!

The piggies also love their carrier during floortime, even having a little siesta in it today. All that's left now is to get everything together for the long trip.

x

 

[ellisa]

Yay! That's excellent news! You will feel a lot better keeping them with you! I'm glad to hear that they are loving their carrier, too! Have an awesome trip and tell us all about your piggies' adventure when you get back