Hamsters and guinea pigs: Vacation pocket pet care

Compared to other furry family favorites, hamsters and guinea pigs can be perceived as being relatively low maintenance. However, as small pet parents know, our hamsters and guinea pigs need more than fresh hay and water daily. So, what will work best for your small pets when you need to be away from how?

Well, we have a few pint-sized picks and ideas of our own to help you decide how to care for your hamster or guinea pigs while you’re on vacation. Here are some top tiny tips on the types of small pet care and what could work best for those with petite paws and tiny teeth.

Vacation care options for hamsters and guinea pigs

In-house guinea pig and hamster sitting

As we said, hamsters and guinea pigs need plenty of TLC alongside a consistent daily routine. All pets, no matter their size, are happiest at home - and vets agree. A trusted sitter will care for your pint-sized pets in the comfort and familiarity of their hutch. Their routine can be kept and their well-being checked each day until you’re back from vacation. It’s just one less thing to worry about when you want to be away relaxing!

All TrustedHousesitters sitters are verified before they even create their profiles. They can specify their experience backed up by checked references and previous reviews and will care for your house as well as your precious pets.

While hamsters can often be left to their own devices, a guinea pig sitter can also provide important socialization and interactions if they need it. Guinea pigs can easily become lonely, particularly if they’re on their own, so a friendly human presence can be reassuring and healthy for them too.   

Should anything bad happen or your hamster or guinea pigs become poorly, your sitter will be there to call and take them to the vet, as well as contact you immediately. Speaking of contact, they’ll also be able to send you daily updates of their hamster hijinks or miniature mischief.

Hire a professional small pet care

While small pet sitting can work for some pet parents, others may prefer to hire a small pet care professional. Many sites allow you to search for a professional carer for animals like hamsters or guinea pigs, along with the care they can provide each day and any additional extras you can pay for like hutch cleaning or pet grooming.

As a trained animal handler, they’ll be able to spot signs of illness or concern quickly and will have a great understanding of how to keep small pets happy. Professional sitters can pop by your house each day at a set time for a certain period of 30 minutes or an hour. As it’s often not in-home small pet care, they may not be able to provide daily run and exercise time for your mini-mates.

So, how much does guinea pig sitting cost? Well, you’ll be looking at about $10 to $25, or £12 to £20, a day. Again, you might need to pay extra for cleaning or other chores, but this will all be negotiated before your vacation.

Boarding and daycare for hamsters and guinea pigs

Hamsters and guinea pigs can go to daycare and pet people! It’s very similar to hiring a professional pet sitter except you drop them off at a specialized center during the day when you need to be away. Similarly, boarding facilities for small pet care allow pet parents to bring their small snuggles to a safe place with round-the-clock care while they vacation.

Of course, your petite pets won’t be placed in kennels, they’ll have their own designated cage or hutch where they can be left and collected on you’re back home. Guinea pig boarding and hamster boarding will be well connected to nearby vet practices should anything happen. 

Cost-wise, it’s about the same as professional pet sitting, but this will vary depending on their location, demand, and the time of year.

Phone a friend or ask a favor from a neighbor

You could always ask for a small pet favor. Friends, family, friendly neighbors, and your close-knit community might be a good choice for vacation hamsters or guinea pigs. If your human friends are familiar with your furballs, this can help to reduce stress in your pets. Friends and neighbors have already been vetted by you, you know and trust them, so there’s no anxiety about leaving them with a set of your house keys.

Plus, we presume this exchange is also done without cash. Maybe a box of chocolates? Flowers? Or nothing, we don’t judge! But, apart from using a TrustedHousesitters sitter, it’s a rather cost-effective solution.

Decide what’s best for your hamster or guinea pigs

Hamsters and guinea pigs are naturally shy, timid creatures that take time to adapt to new situations and people. As pet parents, you’ll know what’s best for your babies and how easily they can become stressed, what they need each day to be content, as well as what you feel comfortable with.

If you’re ever in doubt, chat to your vet. Along with potentially knowing their own tried and tested ideas, they’ll also understand your furry friends’ needs and what will work for everyone.

If you need some hamster help or guinea pig guidance for your next vacation, have a look at all the current local small pet sitters near you. Still unsure what to do with your hamster or guinea pigs when you’re away? Head to our Community Forum to connect with other small pet parents like you to find out what they recommend and how guinea pig and hamster sitting went for them.