General What is the longest you have left your pigs alone?

[SandyPig]

We are going out of town for 3 days/2 nights and considering whether we can leave our pigs alone that long. Usually when we are away we have a family member come check on them, but they will be away too this time.

The longest we have tried before is 2 days/1 night and honestly they were fine.

I'm thinking if we leave 2 or 3 full water bottles and plenty of food/hay they should be OK. ? They will miss veggies on the middle day but we will be able to give them veggies the day we leave and the night we come back.

Anyone done this before? They are two piggies.

 

[ItsaZoo]

We did this one time with my single pig. We were gone 3 days and 2 nights. I had two water bottles and a huge pile of hay. My husband set up a camera so I could check on her and we also have a home security system. Everything was fine.

The only boarding facility around no longer boards animals overnight. We don’t have any friends or family that would take care of a guinea pig. So options were limited.

 

[SSLee]

@SandyPig, my brother and nephew have always taken care of feeding my piggies when I am away. However, the cleaning part hasn't been so great. What kind of bedding do you use? If your pigs are on fleece, it will get really gross without daily cleanup and you might want to use Carefresh or pine shavings while you are away.

 

[Cavy]

I agree with @SSLee, all the poop will collect on the top and they will be stepping on it. As for the pee if you don’t have extra mini liners the liner will get wet. Even if you have a low edged C&C cage and the bedding might go everywhere, it will be better for their wellbeing while you leave. You really need someone to come over every day. Water and food can run out, but your guinea pigs can’t stop eating. Even with a monitor, you won’t be able to get to them fast enough. If you use a monitor and something goes wrong then someone will have to come over, that person should be the person that comes over every day.

 

[4boipigs]

Personally, I won't even leave them alone even for overnight. I have someone come over and check on them. Someone has to be around to provide fresh hay, water, clean, and change fleece if needed.

 

[ItsaZoo]

It would sure be nice to have someone that could come in, but that option isn’t available to me. I’ve even checked with housesitters and no one wants the responsibility.

Last summer we were gone 2 nights and boarded our dog and guinea pig at the vet. They called at the last minute asking if I had a cage. I told them only a pet-shop size or an 8 sq foot. So they housed her in the cat room. Then they added $50 to my bill for a fecal test which they said was a boarding requirement. At least she seemed to do okay while she was there.

The dog was sick for a week after he came home. I don’t know if it was the stress or what. He had all his own food and meds while he was there.

 

[4boipigs]

My issue w/ boarding is similar. Most places ask that I bring the cage. Well, my hamsters are in 40 gallon aquariums and my pigs are in huge c&c cages. We are lucky to have the rescue to board at, but they only do drop off/pick up on Saturday.