Pigsitting Will my guinea pigs be okay

[CavyTV]

Hello!

So, my family and I are thinking about traveling to California and staying there for a few days. There is no backing out; I am not allowed to stay at home by myself. My question is, will my boys be okay for 5ish days with just hay and water? The plan is to leave tonight and come back on Wednesday/ Wednesday evening. I don't know anyone who is willing (and who I can trust and knows what they're doing) to look after them for those 5 days. I was thinking to stuff the hayracks with hay and leave a giant pile in the kitchen area as well. I would also fill up 2 water bottles to the top. My pigs don't get pellets anymore so I'm not worried about that. The only thing in their diet that they wouldn't get would be the veggies. I am not sure if they will be okay without them for a few days.

If anyone can help I'd really appreciate it! (I am freaking out about this! )
Thanks!

 

[sallyvh]

You need to find someone to check in on them. Even if a neighbor or friend can stop by once a day to make sure they have food and water.

It would be highly irresponsible to just leave them. No one here is going to recommend or say it is ok for you leave them unattended that long.

 

[bpatters]

Ditto [MENTION=31353]sallyvh[/MENTION]. Their water bottle could malfunction, or they could play with it and drain it dry. Or one could get sick right after you leave and be dead for several days by the time you get back.

One friend of mine has had pretty good luck finding people who work for exotic vets to pet set, either in her home or theirs. You might contact the vets around you and ask if any of their staff could help.

 

[CavyTV]

None of my other family members live close to us. We barely know any of our neighbors. My friends families have their own lives and don't care. I have no idea who can check in on them. Someone on the forums (not gonna say who) commented on another thread saying that guinea pigs can get by without veggies and pellets, but hay and water are the most important things they cannot live without and this is the reason why I even considered leaving them with just hay and water while we are on the trip. I asked a 2nd time if I could just stay home but my mom just freaked and yelled saying how this is such a great opportunity and how I should just get rid of the pigs because they are "ruining my life" and pulling me back. She believes that I will not get anywhere in life because of how much I care about them and how much I sacrifice for them, which is absolutely ridiculous. I am jealous of all the teen owners out there who have parents that understand. I don't know what to do.

 

[CavyTV]

I asked my mother if she was okay with the idea of calling a nearby vet to see if they knew anyone that could help and she said she didn't want a stranger coming into the house while we were gone to check up on the guinea pigs. She thinks the idea is absurd. *sigh*

 

[bpatters]

Can you take them with you?

 

[CavyTV]

I already asked. We will be travelling with a truck - there are 2 rows and then the back where it's empty and no one can sit. We also will be in that truck for the majority of the trip since we are driving to California. We may stop to rest at a motel once but I doubt pets, let alone a whole cage, will be allowed/will fit. A cage will not fit in the 2nd row of the truck. There will be 2 people in front and 2 people in the second row. The only place a cage would fit is in the back but I'm afraid they'll slide around so I don't think it's safe. The earliest we will get to California is Monday. Most likely we will be driving the whole time and will only stop for food and bathroom breaks. I think my only option here is to stay home (if I can convince them of course...), even though my mother will be upset with me for doing so. I'll miss a great opportunity but there's no other way.

 

[CavyTV]

Thank you for your kind words. We are actually no longer going, thank god lol I was stressing for nothing. The trip was not really a vacation but actually for one of my parents' work. My mom thought it would be fun to make it into a road trip and have everyone tag along...but like I said the trip is off so I can relax now.

 

[mdodge]

What you may try and do now is look around and see if there's any rescues who will be willing to pig sit.so in the future you can be prepared.

 

[Stefbjjnev]

The other thing you could do is see if your vet or another exotic vet also boards. My vet has boarding service and they were great. I also have a great young lady by my parents place I found and interviewed online. She always treats them amazingly. Sometimes there are former rescue workers or pet owners online who are willing to keep your pets at their home while you're away. This is the only way I can actually go on vacations or small trips.

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[CavyTV]

see if there's any rescues who will be willing to pig sit

see if your vet or another exotic vet also boards

I'm assuming those cost money...?

 

[Stefbjjnev]

Boarding my two cost me 12 dollars. And the rescue likely would and use it to feed and house the shelter animals

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