Guinea pig carriers: vet trips, moving house and holiday care
How to choose a guinea pig carrier, how to keep guinea pigs safe in the car, a moving-house checklist, and how to arrange care when you go on holiday in Australia.
Use a ventilated, solid-floored carrier that's big enough to turn around in, with hay, a small hide and some watery veggies. Put it on the back seat, secured with a seatbelt, out of the sun, and keep the car cool. Never leave guinea pigs in a parked car. For holidays longer than a day, arrange an experienced pet sitter or boarding.
Most guinea pigs only leave home for vet visits, but a good carrier and a plan make those trips, moving house and holidays much less stressful for everyone, pigs included.
Choosing a guinea pig carrier
- Solid, waterproof floor, not wire
- Good ventilation on at least two sides
- Top-opening door, so you can lift pigs out gently instead of pulling them out the front
- Secure latches that won't pop open if the carrier is bumped
- The right size: room to turn around and fit a small hide, but not so big they slide around
- Easy to clean plastic
As a guide:
| Trip | Rough carrier size |
|---|---|
| One pig, short trip | about 40 × 25 cm, 25 cm high |
| Bonded pair, short trip | about 50 × 30 cm or more |
| Long trip or moving day | a larger carrier or small cage with room for hay, a hide and water |
Cat carriers with a top door work well for one or two guinea pigs. Avoid cardboard boxes except in an emergency, because guinea pigs can chew or pee through them.
What to put inside: a towel or fleece, a layer of hay, a small hide or tunnel, and some watery veggies like cucumber or lettuce so they stay hydrated. Water bottles tend to drip in a moving car, so offer water at stops instead.
Car travel safety
- Back seat or back floor, secured. Buckle the seatbelt through the handle, or wedge the carrier on the floor so it can’t slide.
- Out of the sun. Keep it away from windows, and use sunshades.
- Keep the car cool. Guinea pigs can suffer heat stress from 24°C. Run the air-con before loading them. See the summer heat guide.
- No loud music, and drive smoothly.
- Never leave them in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
- Bonded pairs travel together. Company keeps them calmer.
Vet visits
- Find a vet with exotic pet or small mammal experience before you need one.
- Bring a small bag of their usual hay and veggies, especially for long waits.
- Keep the carrier away from dogs and cats in the waiting room, and cover it with a light towel if your pigs are nervous.
- Bring notes on what’s changed: eating, poops, weight and behaviour.
Moving house with guinea pigs: checklist
- Set up the cage first. Build and fully set up the cage at the new place before the pigs arrive, in a spot that suits them. See where to put a guinea pig cage.
- Keep them out of the chaos. On moving day, put them in a quiet, closed room in their carrier or a small pen, away from removalists and open doors.
- Move them last, in your own car, never in a removal truck.
- Travel at the coolest time of day. Avoid moving pigs on very hot days if you can.
- Keep their routine. Same hay, pellets, veggies, hides and feeding times.
- Check them often for the first few days. Make sure they’re eating, drinking and pooping normally.
For long interstate moves, plan stops every couple of hours to offer veggies and water, and check the car temperature.
Holiday care: pet sitter or boarding
Guinea pigs shouldn’t be left alone for more than about a day. They need fresh food every day, a water bottle can block, and in summer, heat can become dangerous quickly.
Pet sitter at home
- No travel stress, and pigs stay in their own cage
- Good for outdoor pigs and big setups
- Needs someone who knows guinea pigs and visits at least once, ideally twice a day
Boarding
- Someone experienced checks them all day
- Some vets, rescues and small-animal boarders offer it
- Requires travel and a new environment
- Book early for Christmas and school holidays
Leave your sitter a care sheet with:
- Daily routine: hay, pellets, veggie amounts and which veggies
- Water: check the bottle works by tapping the spout, and refill daily
- A photo of each pig and any health quirks
- Signs of trouble: not eating, not pooping, hunched, breathing fast or heavily
- Hot-day plan: when to bring them inside and how to cool them
- Your vet's details, the nearest after-hours exotic vet, and how to pay
Stock up on hay, bedding and pellets before you leave, and do a full clean so your sitter only needs to spot-clean. See how to clean a guinea pig cage.
Frequently asked questions
What size carrier does a guinea pig need?
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For one guinea pig, a carrier around 40 × 25 cm with 25 cm of height is fine for short trips. For a bonded pair travelling together, look for about 50 × 30 cm or more. It should be big enough to turn around and have a hide, but not so big that pigs slide around while the car moves.
Should two guinea pigs travel in the same carrier?
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Bonded pairs usually travel better together, because company keeps them calmer. Only put pigs together if they already live together happily. If one is sick or recovering, the vet may advise separate carriers.
Can guinea pigs travel in a car?
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Yes, for vet visits, moving house and short trips. Put the carrier on the back seat or back floor, secure it with a seatbelt, keep it out of direct sun, and keep the car cool. Never leave guinea pigs in a parked car, even for a few minutes, because cars heat up very fast.
Can I leave my guinea pigs alone while I go away?
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Not for more than about a day. Guinea pigs need fresh veggies daily, can run out of water if a bottle blocks, and need checking for illness, especially in hot weather. For any trip longer than a day, arrange a pet sitter or boarding.
Where can I board guinea pigs in Australia?
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Options include some vet clinics that treat exotic pets, small-animal boarding services, some guinea pig rescues, and experienced pet sitters. Book early for Christmas and school holidays, and check they know guinea pig care and how they manage summer heat.
How do I move house with guinea pigs?
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Set up their cage at the new place first, move the pigs last in a carrier with hay and veggies, travel in the coolest part of the day, and keep their routine the same. Avoid moving them in extreme heat.
Want a properly sized cage without the DIY?
We're looking at bringing properly sized cages and C&C kits to Australia. Join the waitlist and tell us what you'd want.
This guide is general information to help you compare housing options. It isn't veterinary advice. If your guinea pig seems unwell, contact a vet experienced with exotic pets.
