PetCloud guinea pig sitters can look after your guinea pigs while you are away, either through daily home visits in your home or by boarding them at the sitter’s place. Guinea pigs need fresh hay, water, vegetables and company every day, so they should not be left alone for a weekend, and guinea pig sitting is worth booking early for school holidays.
Your guinea pig sitting options
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Home visits | A sitter visits once or twice a day to feed, refresh water and hay, spot clean and check on your pigs | Pigs that are settled in their own hutch or enclosure |
| Boarding at a sitter’s home | You drop your guinea pigs and their enclosure at the sitter’s home | Longer trips, or homes where no one can visit daily |
| House sitting | A sitter stays in your home and cares for all your pets | Households with several pets, or long holidays |
Home visits on PetCloud start from $45, and sitters set their own prices, so compare a few listings before you book.
What a guinea pig sitter needs to know
- How much hay, pellets and fresh vegetables to give each day, and any foods to avoid
- That guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C, so it has to come from their food
- Where the spare bedding, hay and cleaning supplies are kept
- How each pig normally behaves, eats and toilets, so changes are noticed quickly
- How to keep the enclosure shaded and cool on hot days, as guinea pigs cope poorly with heat
- Your vet’s details, and your permission for the sitter to take a pig to the vet if needed
Signs a sitter should watch for
Guinea pigs can hide illness. Ask your sitter to tell you straight away if a pig stops eating, has fewer or no droppings, breathes noisily, sits hunched or loses weight. If you notice any of these, contact your vet. For general questions that are not urgent, the Non-Urgent Web Vet offers an online video consult.
Preparing your guinea pigs before you go
- Stock up on hay, pellets, bedding and vegetables for the whole trip, plus a few spare days
- Write a simple care sheet and leave it on the enclosure
- Book a meet and greet so the sitter can see your setup and handle your pigs with you
- Keep bonded pairs together, whether they stay home or board
For more on daily care, read our guide on how to care for guinea pigs and other small mammals. PetCloud strongly encourages pet owners to choose a police-checked sitter, and strongly encourages sitters to complete a biometric identity check.
Frequently asked questions
Who can look after my guinea pigs while I am on holiday?
A PetCloud guinea pig sitter can visit your home once or twice a day, or board your guinea pigs at their own home. Some sitters also offer house sitting for households with several pets.
Can guinea pigs be left alone for a weekend?
It is not recommended. Guinea pigs need fresh hay, water and vegetables every day, and problems such as not eating can become serious quickly. Book daily home visits through PetCloud instead.
How much does guinea pig sitting cost in Australia?
On PetCloud, home visits start from $45 and sitters set their own prices. Boarding at a sitter’s home is priced by each sitter, so compare a few listings for your dates.
What should I leave for my guinea pig sitter?
Leave enough hay, pellets, vegetables and bedding for the whole trip plus spare days, a written care sheet, and your vet’s details. Meeting the sitter first through PetCloud lets them see your setup.
