Traveling with your guinea pig

A visit to the veterinary practice or traveling on a longer journey may be stressful for your guinea pig. Make sure that you are properly prepared to avoid your guinea pig being unnecessarily scared.

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It is best to place your guinea pig in a secure carrier for traveling. Most guinea pigs prefer to be in a more confined space when traveling which will make it feel more secure and safe. Always ensure that companion guinea pigs travel together in the same carrier, so it will need to be large enough to accommodate them comfortably, but also not too large so they slip and slide around. You can help to prevent this from happening, by placing lots of hay inside the carrier, so they can sit on it, bury into it and also eat it during the journey. Plastic carriers are best. Your guinea pig could start chewing on a wicker basket carrier, so these should be avoided. They will also allow urine to leak out. Choose a design with a top and side opening if possible. It can be tricky to persuade a reluctant guinea pig to leave a carrier with only a small front opening and trying to get them out via this route may prove stressful. Guinea pigs may find an all-wire carrier too exposed, so drape a towel over the top or place a cardboard board box inside for them to hide in.

Encourage your guinea pig to investigate the carrier before traveling. Put in some hay, a bowl of food or a selection of fresh vegetables to encourage them to explore the carrier. Guinea pigs are curious and will love exploring the new carrier but do not force them into the carrier. Leave the carrier around for a few days so that your guinea pigs will become accustomed to it.

Guinea pigs should have access to water at all times. A bowl with a large lip which prevents spillages and clips to the bars of the carrier, may be less messy than the usual drinking bottle. However, guinea pigs rarely drink when traveling so if you are only going on a short journey, the weather is cool or if spillages become a problem, just remember to offer drinks when you stop.

Entice your guinea pigs into the carrier with some tasty treat (if necessary) and shut the door, checking that it is firmly shut before traveling. Place in the car in a position where it is unlikely to be jolted in the event of a sudden stop – either place behind a seat or strap in using the seatbelt. Do not place the carrier on the front, passenger seat if the airbag is active, as if it is activated it is likely to cause serious injury or even death. They are safer in the back, fastened in with a seat belt.

Never leave your guinea pig in the car for long periods – a car on a hot day quickly becomes an oven and they could easily become overheated. If you are traveling on a hot day, try to keep the carrier out of the sun (it is best to avoid traveling in daytime). A towel can be draped over the carrier and on very hot days, you can dampen the towel with cold water. Freezer-bag blocks or a plastic bottle filled with ice wrapped in a towel placed in the cage is a good idea to keep your guinea pigs cool.

If making a long journey, make frequent stops. Refill the water bowl and let your guinea pigs eat and drink. However, if your guinea pigs are frightened, they may not be interested. When you reach your destination, open the carrier and let your guinea pigs come out in their own time. Let them adjust to their new surroundings, put out fresh food, and perhaps a few treats. It should soon settle down and may even come to enjoy the carrier and traveling.

Pet passports are part of the European Union (EU) Regulation on the movement of pet animals. Certain non-EU listed countries may also issue a passport. Since the UK left the EU, Pet passports issued in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) are no longer valid for travel to the EU or Northern Ireland. However, you can use a pet passport if it was issued in Northern Ireland or an EU country.

There is an EU Regulation that sets out the requirements for the movement of pet animals (dogs, cats and ferrets) traveling within the European Community, and into the Community from non-EU countries. The same EU regulation also refers to importation requirements applying to rodents, domestic rabbits, birds (except certain poultry), ornamental tropical fish, invertebrates (except bees and crustaceans), amphibians and reptiles. Further information can be found on the European Union website at europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/animal-plant/index_en.htm.

Contact the airline well in advance to find out their rules on transporting guinea pigs. Check if they can fly in the cabin with you – you will be asked to put the carrier under the seat in front of you. However, this may only be permitted on some domestic flights, and only in specific situations, and it is more likely that you will have to put your guinea pigs in the hold.

If you are traveling abroad, check with your veterinarian well before traveling to find out what health certificates are needed. Guinea pigs are particularly prone to stress which can have dramatic effects on their health. Think carefully if it is worth taking them on a flight – the effects of air pressure changes, exhaust fumes and temperature changes in a cargo hold can make any flight risky even for healthy guinea pigs, and it may be that they would be a lot happier and safer staying at home with other family members or friends.

• Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) – www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain.
• Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain (Northern Ireland) – www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-pets.
• Traveling to an EU country or Northern Ireland – www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-an-eu-country-or-northern-ireland.
• Traveling to a non-EU country – www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-a-noneu-country.
• Traveling with pets and other animals in the EU – europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/animal-plant/index_en.htm.