Summer Travel: Does My Rabbit or Guinea Pig Really Need a Pet Sitter?

The short answer is YES! You should absolutely make sure your guinea pig, rabbit or small pets are well cared for and make them part of your vacation travel planning. Even if you are just going away for the weekend, it’s best to have a pet-sitter lined up to make sure your pets are safe and well-cared for. That could mean having a pet-sitter come to your home, or taking your pets to someone else’s home. Here are our top 7 tips for small pet care when planning a vacation:

1)      Find a reliable pet sitter who understands your pet’s needs, or is willing to learn. It could be a friend or neighbor, or you may need to hire someone. We have had good luck getting referrals from friends, and using a service such as Rover.com, which matches pet owners with pet sitters in their area. Depending on your area, expect to pay $20-$25 per visit.

2)      Make sure you have someone checking on your small pet at least once a day. Don’t assume they will be fine with extra water, hay, veg and kibble. They will likely go through that in the first 12 hours. Also, you can’t predict power outages, etc., so it is best to have someone checking in daily.

3)      If you take your pets to someone else’s home, make sure it is a safe environment. For example, do not drop your pets off with a friend who has a dog or cat without a plan for how to keep your pet safely away from the other pets. Small pets should always be kept behind a closed door if there are other pets in the home.

4)      Walk your pet sitter through your pet’s daily routine and leave them with written instructions. They may not be familiar with guinea pigs, rabbits or other small pets. See the write-up we leave for our Nutmeg’s pet-sitter when we are gone here.

5)      Make sure to leave an emergency vet contact. Hopefully, it won’t be needed, but you want to cover all the bases.

6)      Cut up your pet’s favorite veg and leave in a container in the fridge. Leave special treats, such as pea flakes or cut carrots, for your pet sitter to use to spoil your pets while you are away.

7)      Ask your pet sitter to text you daily and send a few photos. This will help to relieve any anxiety you might have about leaving your pet.

With your pet care plan in place, you can enjoy your time away from home without worrying about your pets. And your pets will likely enjoy meeting a new friend!