🧳 Holiday Care for Guinea Pigs: A Stress-Free Guide for You and Your Snuggle Crew

June 25, 2025

Planning a getaway but worried about your little fluffballs at home? Whether you’re off to Glastonbury, soaking up Wimbledon vibes, or just nipping off for a cheeky weekend away, your guinea pigs still need daily love, fresh veg, and somewhere cosy to snooze. This guide has everything you need to keep their tails wagging while you’re off adventuring (or just eating an alarming amount of hotel breakfast croissants).

🐹 Why Guinea Pigs Don’t Do Spontaneity

Guinea pigs are creatures of habit. Like, really. Change their breakfast by five minutes and you might get a formal complaint (in the form of loud wheeking). So holidays—aka massive routine disruptions—can be a little stressful if not handled thoughtfully.

They rely on:

Consistent mealtimes
Social interaction (with you or their piggy pals)
A safe, familiar environment
The correct diet (no, they can’t just have a nibble of your buffet bacon)

Leaving them doesn’t have to mean stress—for them or for you. It just takes a bit of planning, and maybe a little bribery in the form of cucumber.

🧺 Packing Their Holiday Supplies (Even If They’re Not Leaving the House)

Before you go, stock up on everything your pigs will need while you’re away. That means:

Their usual hay, pellets, and fresh veg (avoid any sudden changes)
Plenty of fleece bedding and hideouts
Their favourite chews or toys (enrichment is especially important when you’re not there to provide entertainment)
Clean, working water bottles (ideally with backups)

Pop it all in one spot, label what’s what, and leave clear instructions so your guinea pig sitter isn’t left wondering if a pepper is poisonous.

🛏️ A Cleaner Cage Makes a Happier Holiday

Let’s face it—your pet sitter isn’t going to do a full fleece laundry mid-week (unless you’ve bribed them heavily with snacks). That’s where reliable pee pads make all the difference.

Our fleece pee pads are designed to lock away moisture, trap odours, and stay fresh for a week or more with simple spot cleaning. That means less mess, less stress, and one less job for your sitter. Just leave a few extras on hand and show them how to sweep away the poops—it’s genuinely that easy.

Because while you’re unwinding, your piggies should be lounging in comfort too. ✨

🏠 Pet Sitters vs. Boarding Kennels: Which Is Right?

You’ve got two main options for care while you’re away:

1. A pet sitter who visits or stays at your home

Familiar environment = happy piggies
You get to keep their daily routine exactly as they know it
Best for shy or sensitive pigs

Just make sure your sitter knows the difference between a happy squeak and a “help me, human” stare.

2. Boarding facilities that specialise in small pets

Great if you want 24/7 care
Many are run by experienced guinea pig owners
Your pigs might even get a holiday of their own

Not all boarding places are created equal, so do your homework! Luckily, the lovely folks over at The Guinea Pig Forum have a whole section on recommended UK boarding facilities—including real reviews from other piggy parents. Have a browse and see what suits your squeaky squad best. (Free account required to view the forum)

🧑⚕️ Health Checks & Safety Prep

You don’t want your piggies developing an issue while you’re sunning yourself in Spain. So:

Book a quick vet check-up before you go, especially if they’re older or have health concerns
Leave a printed care sheet with key info (diet, meds, vet contact, what counts as an emergency)
Show your sitter how to spot signs of illness (because droopy ears = drama)

Also, double-check there are no cage hazards—no exposed wires, no weird escape routes, and nothing a bored pig might chew that they shouldn’t.

🥬 Meal Plans While You’re Away

Stick to what they know. Your pigs don’t want a surprise courgette cleanse or a sudden carrot ban.

Leave:

Hay (loads of it!)
Pellets (measured out into daily bags = easy for the sitter)
Veg list (e.g. “1/4 red pepper + a couple leaves of romaine + 1 slice cucumber”)

And make sure they’ve got clean water daily. Show your sitter how to check the spout is working, not just full.

📋 Communication = Calm

Leave behind:

A printed care sheet
Contact numbers (yours, vet, emergency backup)
Clear feeding instructions
A daily checklist (tick boxes are magic)

If you can, do a handover with your sitter before you leave—especially if they haven’t met your pigs before. It’s much easier to explain “Luna likes her spinach presented on the left” in person.

🎉 When You Get Home

Reunions are lovely—but take it slow. Your guinea pigs might need a little time to readjust.

Speak softly, offer some of their favourite treats, and give them time to come to you
Check their cage setup and make sure it’s clean
Look out for signs of stress or illness
Thank your sitter! (Especially if they sent you daily photo updates of your pig flopped like a pancake in your absence)

💌 In Summary: Happy Pigs, Happy You

Going away doesn’t have to mean stress—for you or your guinea pigs. With a bit of forward planning, a trusted sitter or boarding option, and a well-packed care kit, your piggies can stay cosy, well-fed, and wonderfully content while you’re off adventuring.

And you? You get to enjoy your break with peace of mind… and maybe bring them back a souvenir (a cucumber will do).

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