Nowadays, many people all over the world prefer to keep a guinea pig and tend to move along with them every now and then. According to the American pet Products Association’s survey from the year of 2017-18, more than 1% of Americans own some kinds of guinea pigs. Among them, almost 7% travel with their guinea pigs on every weekend as well as all over the year. This percentage has increased up to 19% from the last decade.
Planning and preparing for a trip may have a lot of things to worry about. Your journey can be more memorable and enjoyable if you are accompanied by your fur baby. But to take your fondle with you requires huge planning to make.
Although travelling with guinea pigs need a lot of measures to follow, it is not only your business to cope with as you can ask for the help from different guinea pig-friendly rides and airlines. They provide all the necessary facilities as per your request while you are interested in travelling with a guinea pig. They charge some additional costs to allow your guinea pig to the trip.
There are different guidelines and procedures for shipping different animals like service animals, therapy animals or emotional support animals. Make sure you are booking the tickets of the most convenient airlines according to your guinea pig’s comfort and safety.
Here are some tips to follow that would inform you about your dog’s and don’ts during travelling with guinea pigs:
1. Do Plan Ahead
Thousands of people all over the plan to travel with their guinea pigs in course of time. Travelling by car or by flights. Car rides are somewhat easier than flights as you can take a halt as per your need whereas plane journey can be a little stressful. Different airlines have different rules and regulations to follow while you are taking your guinea pig with you.
For instance, American Airlines don’t allow some specific breeds of dogs and cats to board on their flights such as brachycephalic or breeds that have pushed in noses. According to the American Airlines website, they are not allowing Chow Chow breeds since 2018. They also have a list of destinations where the guinea pigs are allowed to travel to.
Here are the names of some U.S. guinea pig airline resources:
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Delta Airline
- American Airlines
- United Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
If you’re looking for the best guinea pig-friendly airlines to book tickets, these airlines are the most popular:
- WestJet
- United Airlines
- Jetblue
- Alaska Airlines
The biggest dog-friendly airlines are named below:
- Delta Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- WestJet
- American Airlines
2. Do Get A Health Certificate
Before planning to travel with your guinea pig you better take it for a better health check up by an accredited and licensed veterinarian at least 10 days before from the travel date. In case of vaccination, all should be completed before 30days from travelling. Besides, make sure that you are carrying all the prescriptions and vaccination certificates for your guinea pig while traveling. All the health certificates should be up to date.
3. Do Know The Costs
It is better to research upon the best guinea pig travelling flights before going forward to your trip. Try to know about the facilities and the costs of the different airlines according to your destination distance.
Choose the best flight at suitable cost as you have to pay some extra fees for carrying your fondle with you. Different airlines’ charges vary like Southwest Airlines charges $95 whereas JetBlue’s fee is $100 for the same. The biggest airlines charge $125 for in-cabin guinea pig facilities.
4. Do Book Nonstop
If it’s possible, always try to book a direct and non stop flight while you are accompanied by your guinea pig. It will make your trip easier, especially if the airports are over-crowded. Moreover, your guinea pig will also feel good that you are caring for it.
But long distance destinations are sometimes not applicable for nonstop flights. In this situation, you can try the nearby domestic airports in search of direct flights and may need to drive further to reach your final destination. Hence, you won’t mind driving a bit than switching flights, won’t you!! Maybe your guinea pig’s jetlag will ease in that course of time.
5. Don’t Fly During The Holidays
Avoid travelling with your guinea pig during holidays as holidays are the busiest days for travel. Though a great trip is almost incomplete without your best furry friend yet the crowd and noise of the airports won’t be that overwhelming for your guinea pig as you.
So, leave the travelling idea on busy holidays with your guinea pig. If it is really important to move then make sure that your guinea pig won’t get separated from you in the flight. You better ask for a special permission to keep it with you by giving some additional fees to the airlines.
6. Don’t Feed Your guinea pig Right Before The Flight
Try to feed your guinea pig at least 5 to 6 hours before travelling as it can cause stomach discomfort to your guinea pig. Avoid giving it dry foods. Instead of that you can feed it with wet food as it will help your guinea pig not to ask for water now and then. Give it minimal liquid just before the boarding to the flight so that it won’t feel like going to the bathroom frequently.
7. Don’t Forget Potty Train For Your guinea pig
Make sure that your guinea pig has finished it’s nature’s call before heading to the airport. Though some guinea pig-friendly airports like Denver International Airport, provide private dog bathroom facilities and an outside dog relief area, yet you need to teach your guinea pig some particular potty cue and make your guinea pig associate with those spells.
You will be able to let your guinea pig know where and when you want it to go to the bathroom and it will be quite convenient for both you and your guinea pig as well. Don’t be abusive to your guinea pig out of travel stress!
8. Don’t Stress Out
Do not get over-stressed about travelling with your guinea pig. Following some easy steps can really make your journey peaceful and comfortable. Just set a list of to-dos before going for a trip. Keep the necessary documents and other urgent things with you. Unlike you, your guinea pig must not be stressed over moving from place to another.
Therefore, make it familler with its carrier as well as short term frequent travelling. If you are stressed about being separated from your guinea pig for a long time while flying, just contact the airline directly and they will answer your queries for sure.
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