Shall we take our guinea pigs away with us for Christmas, or send them into boarding somewhere?

[bomchikawowwow]

We're going to be at my parents for Christmas from 24th-27th December.

I've looked into boarding for the guinea pigs and we can afford it.

However, DD1 (6) is distraught at the idea of not spending christmas with her guinea pigs.

Would it be stupidly traumatic for them to come away with us? It's about a 3 hour drive away.

How traumatic would the boarding place be? I would ask someone to come into them in our home, but I feel it's a bit ask for friends on Christmas Day/Boxing day so I think paying someone is going to be the only option (which I don't mind doing).

I like the idea of us all being together Love our little guinea boys but don't want to put them through something that may upset them a lot.

Guinea pigs don't travel well. Ours used to go to a friend when we went on holiday. She lives about half a mile away and that was traumatic enough for them. It's only three days. Can you ask a neighbour to come in and feed them?

Taking them with you, unless your parents have got somewhere that your pigs can have peace and enough space would be difficult for them. It will be busier, maybe noisier. Your parents might not appreciate two rodenty people in the house.
My guineas travel an hour to their vet which they don't enjoy much (ungrateful little mammals , I drive miles to the Guinea-Pig Clinic)

Boarding- I have put GP1/GP2 in boarding then GP1/GP3 (boars) but asked that they were kept away from sows. (That might be more difficult , depending how big or busy the Boarding is)

Getting someone to come in could be the best option. As long as they know what to do and what to look out for. They'll be in familiar surroundings, you can leave a radio on for them. They have each other to chat to.
They can give the pigs some Christmas Veg and send your DD a photo on the phone?
And your house will look like it's occupied too with lights going on and activity.

DD hates leaving her pigs, if we go away and DH pig sits, she skypes them

Thanks both.

Keeping them at my parents isn't an issue in terms of space or willingness on my parents part - they have a massive house and my Mum has a (third!) dining room that they don't use at all that she's said we could use.

But I agree it's a long way to go.

I don't know my neighbours well enough to ask, and if it was any other time than christmas day and boxing day I'd ask a friend to pop in, but really wouldn't want to ask over those days.

I'm wondering if I can pay someone to come in to them - though would anyone want to do that on christmas day even if being paid?

Do you have friends with furries? We have 4 gp's and I would happily look after rabbits/gp's for friends... Would prefer them to come to us but we have a spare house and run, but if not woud never mind popping into someone.

There are Animal Sitters (who will be Police checked and insured) that you can find via agencies,

It does sound like you really want to take the guineas with you, yes ?

If you put them in a large enough sealed carrier, fill with hay on newspaper to cushion them and keep them busy , some veg.

Set them up in the quiet area and let them have a stretch about after their journey.

Then your DD can have a Boar Cuddle on Christmas Day (I will be getting a boar and two sows deposited on my bed on Christmas Day, They will be in the little bedroom next to mine )

Can your Mum buy hay, newspapers to save space in the car?

Thank you.

I've got one friend with piggies but I think hers go in the summer house in winter and I don't think she'd have space for more in there.

70 we would really love to have them around. But honestly have to put their needs first.

My Mum would be happy to sort the hay and bits and there is a little pet shop on the High Street that delivers. I had rabbits growing up who were ridiculously indulged by my mother and my Mum really bonded with them and she loves our little boys.

I will look into if I can pay a pet visitor to come into them as the first option, second option I will check what the set up is with the home boarding place.

Thanks for all opinions and advice

Can't speaking for travelling pigs but my bunny used to do a 12 hour drive with us 2 or 3 times a year and she was fine. She did get to sit in her travel case at my feet and was pampered and spoken to the whole journey (I generally ignored the DC!). This was for stays of 1-2 weeks away from home - for a couple of days, I don't think I would have done it.

My pigs go to a small furry hotel and seem to love it. If you do go down that route then go and check them out first as boarding varies. Ours has the radio on for the pigs/bunnies and they are spoilt. I have also gone down the neighbour route which was fine for a couple of days. I don't like to leave them longer with a neighbour as then cleaning out becomes an issue. I have also had a friends' pigs to stay which I never minded doing. Do you have any friends with pigs? They would probably be happy to pig-sit especially if you offer to look after theirs in return.

If you do leave them behind, I'm sure you can find someone who is quite happy to abscond from the joys of home for long enough to feed them, especially even on Christmas Day. I'd be taking a quiet hour round your place with a good book

Each to their own but my late gps would have found a 3-hr journey each way far too stressful; especially for only 3 days.

When we had no-one to pet-sit, we sent ours to a veterinary student who was supplementing her income by looking after small furries during the holidays. She did a great job although they didn't get quite as much runaround time as they were used to.

Incidentally, our neighbour, who we didn't know from Adam, asked us to cat-sit last Christmas and my dd (then 10 yrs) was happy to do so with supervision from us. So even if you don't know your neighbours, it might be worth asking someone who has a responsible pre-teen or teen!