I’ll also provide some recommendations at the conclusion of this article that can assist you in keeping your guinea pigs safe and healthy when you have to leave them alone for an extended period of time.
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Concerns about leaving your guinea pigs alone?
When there is no one around to care after them, your guinea pigs can get themselves into all kinds of mischief.
Although most of these may be avoided by taking suitable precautions before leaving them, it is nevertheless necessary to be aware of the difficulties that they may encounter.
So I’ve compiled a list of the most pressing issues that many guinea pig owners have when it comes to letting their animals alone nowadays.
Table of Contents
Running Out of hay
Guinea pigs require a substantial amount of hay in their diet. A basic diet for your guinea pig contains hay in the proportion of 80 percent. The hay alone provides the majority of the fiber and other vital elements that they require.
Therefore, having a large quantity of feed accessible for them to consume at all times is essential. Due to their high metabolic rate, guinea pigs must be fed on a consistent basis, making access to food 24 hours a day, seven days a week essential.
When planning on leaving your guinea pigs alone, make sure they have enough hay to last them for the duration of the separation period.
Our guinea pigs require high-quality hay in order to thrive. This farm-fresh hay from little pet pick is one of my personal favorites. They are extremely nutrient-dense.
A leak in the water bottle
I doubt that any guinea pig owners haven’t dealt with the issue of leaking water bottles at some point.
Using the vacuum concept, the water bottle of your guinea pig can leak and wet the entire bedding system, posing a harm to both the animal and the bedding system.
The first is that there is no water available for guinea pigs to drink, and the second is that damp bedding can cause your guinea pig to become ill.
However, if you leave them alone for a day or more, they may suffer from severe health consequences as a result of the stress they are experiencing.
Guinea pigs consume a large amount of dry hay, which causes them to become dehydrated, necessitating the need for constant availability to freshwater.
A leaking bottle can cause a significant amount of mess, so I strongly advise you to give this fantastic choconose water bottle a try. They’re fantastic, and they’ve been patented as being leakproof.
Soiled bedding can attract flies
The presence of flies and other insects in such places can be an important attractant if the bedding is not spot cleaned on a daily basis or if the water from the bottle causes the bedding to become damp.
Flies prefer a humid and moist environment in which to lay their eggs, and this is exactly what they get. You might be wondering what harm fy can cause to your guinea pigs at this point.
You should know that flystrike can be devastating for your guinea-pigs since the insects lay their eggs on the hay, which hatch into larvae that attach themselves to the guinea-reproductive pig’s organs and begin feasting on them as a result.
It may sound a little frightening, but a swarm of maggots can consume your guinea pig while it is still alive. As a result, we must take precautions to keep our guinea pigs secure from flies.
Also, if you are only going to be there for a couple of days, your guinea pig’s cage is going to be full of feces that is strewn all over the place.
A poisonous ammonia accumulation in the cage area, especially if there is insufficient ventilation in the room, can be hazardous to your guinea pigs’ health and welfare.
Guineadad fleece liners are the best choice for guinea pig bedding if you want to keep your pet warm and cozy. They’ve been at the top of my list for more than a year.
Escaping from the cage
If your guinea pigs have a habit of jumping out of their cages or attempting to escape from their cages in any other way, you must take steps to guarantee that they are unable to do so while you are away.
Either purchase an appropriate cage from which they will not be able to escape or alter the cage to prevent this from happening.
If your guinea pigs manage to sneak away while you are gone, they can get themselves into all sorts of difficulties, which can be harmful or even life-threatening to their health.
This incredible Midwest cage for a couple of Guinea pigs is available only on Amazon.
Lack of veggies can trigger health issues
Guinea pigs require a well-balanced diet in order to maintain their health. While hay continues to be a basic part of their diet, vegetables also make up a considerable portion of their intake.
Guinea pigs require vitamin C, which they cannot manufacture on their own, and vegetables provide them with this essential nutrient.
In the event that you are only planning a one-day trip or shorter, this may not be a serious issue because you can feed them right before you leave and leave some extra food in their cage for the time being.
Fighting and injury
Male guinea pigs can get territorial sometimes and start fighting with your cagemate.
That can be a common problem, especially if you have more than one male in a single cage, and it is best to avoid it if possible.
It’s possible to witness them fighting and injuring each other in some situations. In the event that they wind up fighting with each other and injuring one or both of them while you are away, you could find yourself in big trouble.
Also, get them some hiding places so they can keep themselves occupied. Hideouts are crucial for our guinea pigs, and I personally adore these wooden hideouts for my guinea pigs, which I purchased from Amazon. They are both strong and beautiful, which makes them an excellent choice.
How long can guinea pig go without water?
Any knowledgeable veterinarian would advise you to have water available to your guinea pigs at all times.
A guinea pig, on the other hand, is claimed to be able to survive without water for up to two days at the most.
Although it is not a good idea to restrict your guinea pigs of water for an extended period of time, doing so can cause them to suffer from major health problems.
How long can guinea pig go without hay?
Guinea pigs are capable of going without hay for a maximum of 12-24 hours. If your guinea pig does not have access to hay, their digestive system will begin to malfunction within the first 12 hours, and they can become very unwell within 24 hours if the situation is not addressed.
It is possible for your guinea pigs to suffer from a life-threatening situation if they go longer than 24 to 48 hours without hay. After being denied food for more than 24-48 hours, your guinea pig’s intestinal tract may be permanently damaged, resulting in death.
How long can guinea pigs go without vegetables?
Guinea pigs may survive without fresh vegetables for 2-3 days without showing signs of distress, yet it is not recommended to deprive them of vegetables for an extended period of time.
Provide your guinea pigs with fresh vegetables every day since vegetables are an excellent source of critical nutrients, such as Vitamin C. Vegetables are an excellent source of essential nutrients, such as Vitamin C, in your guinea pig’s diet.
Generally speaking, most guinea pigs sold in pet stores are not provided with appropriate vegetables on more than 5-6 days each week. The vast majority of guinea pigs there are barely surviving and have no quality of life at all, according to the researchers.
In order to prevent this from happening, many owners and breeders may encourage you to refrain from purchasing a Guinea Pig from an animal store. As a result, it is highly recommended that you supply your guinea pigs with fresh veggies on a daily basis.
- How long can Guinea Pigs go without food before they become ill? (Hay, vegetables, pellets, etc.)
- Is it possible for Guinea Pigs to die from overeating? (Hay, vegetables, pellets, and so on.)
Tips to keep your guinea pig’s healthy and safe when you leave your guinea pig alone
If you are intending to leave your guinea pigs alone while you are on a trip or holiday, there are a few precautions you should consider.
You can’t just throw away a few extra servings of food and walk away from them. As we previously indicated, your guinea pigs may find themselves into a lot of trouble when left alone for long periods of time.
What I did with my guinea pig while I was away on vacation!!!As a result, we must take steps to ensure that our piggies are healthy and safe while we are away.
This is not only crucial for them, but also for you, as it allows you to relax and travel with the assurance that they will be safe even when you are not around.
Get a pet sitter
If you want to leave your guinea pigs alone for more than a day, you may want to consider hiring someone to look after them for a little price. If you do not want to hire someone, you can do it yourself.
Now, depending on where you live and what resources are accessible to you, there may be a plethora of possibilities available to you.
If you want to leave your guinea pigs with someone, you can either hire a personal pet sitter who will come to your home at regular intervals and keep an eye on them, or you can drop your guinea pig off at their facility or center where they will take good care of them.
Taking the assistance of Trusted pet sitters if there is no one else available to look after your pet is something I would recommend to you. They are fantastic, and they are also reasonably priced.
If such facilities are not accessible, you can also inquire with Kennels in the region about the possibility of having your guinea pigs cared for while you are away.
A pair of guinea pigs will cost you between $5 and $10 a day, depending on where you live. If you want to leave them for an extended period of time or if you have a high litter size, you may be able to negotiate a lower price.
Train a friend or a neighbor to take care of your guinea pigs
If you want to leave your guinea pigs alone for more than a day, you may want to consider hiring someone to look after them for a little price. If you do not want to hire someone, you can do it yourself.
Now, depending on where you live and what resources are accessible to you, there may be a plethora of possibilities available to you.
If you want to leave your guinea pigs with someone, you can either hire a personal pet sitter who will come to your home at regular intervals and keep an eye on them, or you can drop your guinea pig off at their facility or center where they will take good care of them.
Taking the assistance of Trusted pet sitters if there is no one else available to look after your pet is something I would recommend to you. They are fantastic, and they are also reasonably priced.
If such facilities are not accessible, you can also inquire with Kennels in the region about the possibility of having your guinea pigs cared for while you are away.
A pair of guinea pigs will cost you between $5 and $10 a day, depending on where you live. If you want to leave them for an extended period of time or if you have a high litter size, you may be able to negotiate a lower price.
Set up a camera to monitor them from your phone
If you are a frequent traveler who needs to leave your guinea pigs alone for a day or two on a regular basis, you may want to consider investing in a security camera that allows you to view live footage from your phone while you are away.
You will be able to personally check on your guinea pigs at regular intervals and ensure that they are doing well in their new environment. Whenever you spot any problems, you can enlist the assistance of your friends, family, or a neighbor to look into them.
Get some hay racks set up
A pound of hay can be consumed by a pair of guinea pigs in around two days on average. Although the food of your guinea pig may vary slightly from one individual to the next, the average remains consistent in the vast majority of cases.
You may calculate the amount of hay you will need to leave in their cage before you leave them alone so that you can plan correctly. It is advisable to put several easily accessible hay racks with enough feed for a day or more of feeding.
If they happen to run out of hay in their regular hay rack, they can graze on the extra grass if they have the chance to do so, although it is not recommended. In the event that you and your guinea pigs run out of hay, they may suffer from major health problems if they are not provided with hay for more than 24 hours. Fortunately, there are several simple solutions to this problem.
Get them multiple water bottles( A wise investment)
A healthy guinea pig can drink anywhere from 50ml to 300ml of water each day, depending on its weight. The amount of water your guinea pigs consume may vary depending on the weather, their nutrition, and the area in which they live.
They become dehydrated rapidly because to their high consumption of a dry and fiber-rich diet; therefore, they must have constant access to clean drinking water. Despite the fact that they may not consume a large amount of water at one time, they must consume a small bit of water with each meal.
In order to prevent guinea pigs from being territorial and refusing to let the other to get the water bottle, always make sure they have at least one bottle of water for each guinea pig.
If you are going to be gone for more than 24 hours, make sure you have at least 1-2 extra containers so that if something goes wrong with one, they can drink from the other. When you are away from home, you do not want to leave your guinea pigs dehydrated and thirsty.
Throw in some extra greens and pellets
In order to prepare for your departure, it is advisable to set up hay racks and place some lettuce in them. They will at least have some green for the day if they have too much going on.
Additionally, you should provide at least 2-3 small bowls of pellets in their cage so that they can have something to eat when they are bored.
Providing guinea pigs with pellets would assist them in keeping up with the extra nutrients that they require and would normally obtain from their daily vegetables.
To meet our guinea pigs’ nutritional needs, we must use high-quality pellets that are high in nutrients. Small pet select pellets are my personal preference because they are packed with important nutrients that our guinea pigs require to thrive.
Get someone to clean the cage when you are away
If you intend to be away for a weekend or longer, you should appoint someone to spot clean the cage at least every other day while you are away.
The accumulation of waste can attract a large number of flies, which can be lethal to your guinea pigs. Another important concern that can arise is the accumulation of ammonia in the room, which can make your guinea pigs sick as well.
Separate your guinea pigs using a divider in the cage
If your guinea pigs fight with each other frequently, then it is a good idea to put a divider in the cage and separate them before you leave.
Although keep them side by side as guinea pigs do need social interaction or they can get lonely. Using a divider is the easiest way to avoid any fights when you are away. This shall also reduce the chances of hurting each other.
Toys are essential to keep our guinea pigs mentally and physically stimulated, happy, and busy. I personally love these amazing toy set that is sturdy and safe for them.
FAQ
Can you leave guinea pigs alone for a weekend?
It would be best if you did not leave your guinea pigs alone for a weekend. Guinea pigs need to have their water and food stocked up every 12-24 hours. So, if you leave them alone for a weekend, they may starve to death.
Can guinea pigs be left alone for 2 days?
You can leave your guinea pig alone for two days, provided you have stocked up enough food and multiple water sources in their cage. Also, hire someone to look after them once a day to check that everything is running smoothly.
Can you leave guinea pigs alone for a week?
You cannot leave your guinea pigs alone for a week. Your guinea pigs are likely to starve and face severe health complications if you do so. If you are leaving your home for a week, move them to a friend’s place or get a pet sitter to feed them and clean the cage so that they have a hygienic place to live.
Conclusion
It is alright to leave your guinea pigs alone for a day or a little longer, but leaving them alone for more than two days can be dangerous to their health.
The troubles that your guinea pigs can get themselves into are numerous, ranging from a lack of hay and water to injuring themselves by fighting or leaving their cage.
Over the course of two days, a lot can happen, so if you are planning to leave your guinea pigs alone for more than a day, it is preferable to have someone look after them.
Although, with sufficient planning, you can keep them safe and healthy for a maximum of two days, anything longer than that can be hazardous to their health and well-being.
