If you need to travel with your guinea pig, you might be wondering how to keep them safe and comfortable while you’re on the road.
Obviously, keeping your pet on your lap isn’t practical or very safe, so a carrier is your best bet.
To help you find the best guinea pig carrier, I’ve reviewed a variety of products and looked at their highlights and drawbacks.
After considering all the options our top picks were…
Best Soft-Sided Pet Carrier
How to Travel with a Guinea Pig
Traveling with your guinea can often be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time.
Selecting an appropriate carrier for your guinea pig is vital for their safety and ensuring they don’t get overly stressed.
With this in mind, let’s examine some of the things you should look for in a travel carrier for a small pet.
Carrier Size
Guinea pigs often look a little bigger than they are due to the amount of fur on their body.
In reality, guinea pigs have delicate and fragile bodies.
Using a carrier that is too large for your pet can be dangerous.
Sudden stops in a vehicle could cause your guinea pig to slide around in their carrier, resulting in injury.
Picking the Right Size
Your carrier should provide your pet with enough space to turn around in, but nothing more.
A good carrier size for an adult guinea pig is around 19 (length) x 12 (width) x 12 (height) inches.
TIP
If you can’t find carriers targeted specifically for guinea pigs, then cat or kitten ones are completely fine.
Hygiene
As your guinea pig is likely to use the bathroom in their carrier, it’s best to use a model that is easy to clean and wipe down.
Fabric carriers might be soft and cozy, but they won’t absorb waste.
Safety
Keeping your guinea pig safe when you’re traveling is one of the most important aspects you need to consider.
While a carrier can help keep your pet contained, you need to make sure it is the right variety for your specific journey.
Hard carriers are best for long journeys as there’s more structure to them.
They’re also much easier to keep clean.
Ventilation
Protecting your guinea pig from drafts is important, but so is ventilation.
As your guinea pig will be stuck inside a stuffy area in their carrier, such as a car, you need to make sure they get access to plenty of air.
Carriers that have built-in ventilation openings on the top and sides are a good idea for ample airflow.
Hiding
As traveling is quite stressful for guinea pigs, it’s vital you make them as comfortable as possible.
Your pet will likely want to hide, so try to add a cave or cozy inside their carrier for them to retreat to if they feel anxious.
Some hay and an absorbent layer of bedding can also make your guinea pig feel more at ease.
NOTE
Just make sure that any guinea pig accessories or guinea pig toys you put in the travel carrier don’t block off ventilation holes.
Temperature
Maintaining the right level of temperature in your travel carrier is crucial as guinea pigs are unable to sweat.
Guinea pigs do best in temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so try to keep the warmth of their environment as stable as possible.
Make sure you place your carrier in a location free of drafts, air conditioning, heating vents, and direct sunlight.
If you’re worried about your guinea pig getting too cold, bring a blanket that you can cover the carrier with for insulation.
TIP
Alternatively, if the weather is very hot, you could freeze a water bottle and put it inside a sock so your pet can rest against it inside their carrier.
Veggies that have a high water content like apple, cucumber, and dark leafy greens are also great for keeping your guinea pig hydrated.
Ease of Carrying
Carrying your guinea pig carrier alongside other luggage can be quite difficult, especially as it’s important to keep the travel cage in an upright position.
Some types of small animal carriers come with backpack-style or shoulder straps to make transporting your pet much easier.
Types of Guinea Pig Carriers
Before you purchase a pet carrier for your guinea pig, it’s worth looking at the different varieties they come in to ensure you select the right one for your journey.
Hard-Sided Pet Carriers
Hard-sided travel carriers are the safest for your guinea pig as they’re sturdy and solid.
They offer your pet ample protection and are best used for long journeys.
Sling Pet Carriers
Sling carriers aren’t the best choice as they don’t provide any protection to your guinea pig. In a crowded location, your pet could be crushed or knocked around.
However, if you need a carrier to free up your hands when you’re traveling, then a sling carrier could work as long as you’re careful.
Soft-Sided Pet Carriers
A soft-sided carrier is made from fabric that is very comfortable, but they lack absorbency and protection.
As long as you don’t leave a soft-sided carrier unattended and put puppy pads or an absorbent layer of bedding inside it, then they could be a decent option for traveling.
Can Guinea Pigs Travel?
Guinea pigs can travel via car, bus, or train in a pet carrier.
The more you travel with your pet, the more accustomed they become to it.
When traveling with your guinea pig, make sure you’re prepared and bring all the necessary equipment like water-rich veggies, hay, and a guinea pig hut or hideaway.
Can I Take My Guinea Pig on a Plane?
While many airlines allow dogs and cats on a plane in the cabin, there are few that let guinea pigs on board.
Even if you manage to find an airline that permits guinea pigs on board, it’s not recommended.
NOTE
Guinea pigs are very delicate and are very sensitive to noises and temperature changes. Subjecting your pet to a plane journey is irresponsible and will cause a lot of unnecessary stress.
Can Guinea Pigs Go On Long Car Rides?
Guinea pigs are able to go on long car rides, but a bit of planning is involved to make sure your pet stays safe and happy during their trip.
Make sure you bring a secure carrier, as well as water-rich veggies, hay, and a shelter.
What Should I Put In My Guinea Pig Carrier?
To ensure your guinea pig has a pleasant experience when traveling, you should ensure their pet carrier contains all the necessary accessories to keep them comfortable.
Hay, water-rich veggies, absorbent bedding, a guinea pig bed, and a hideaway are all items your travel carrier should include.
Best Guinea Pig Carriers Reviews
Best Soft-Sided Pet Carrier
Natuvalle 6-in-1 Pet Carrier Backpack
A cozy soft-sided guinea pig carrier that you can wear on your front, back, shoulder, or handheld.
Natuvalle 6-in-1 Pet Carrier Backpack
If you’re looking for a cozy soft-sided guinea pig carrier, then this one from Natuvalle is worth considering. You can wear it on your front, back, shoulder, or handheld.
All the straps on the bag are removable, so it’s very versatile.
The bag is flexible and offers plenty of ventilation.
Its patented flexible frame stops it from folding over in use to provide your guinea pig with protection.
Construction
This soft-sided guinea pig carrier is made from water-resistant fabric and features reinforced zippers and security locks.
It even has seatbelt loops, two storage pockets, and reflective security straps. You can fold the bag for easy storage, too.
As this travel bag has a fleece interior, it doesn’t do much in terms of absorbing moisture. This also might make it difficult to clean and sterilize between uses.
Additionally, the security locks on the zippers can be a bit flimsy and fiddly to use. The clasp on the shoulder strap can also break prematurely.
Specs
- Dimensions: 17.5” x 9.5” x 11.5”
- Weight: 3.28 lbs
- Type of Carrier: Soft-Sided
Pros
- All straps can be removed for different methods of use
- Made from water-resistant fabric
- Comes with reinforced zippers and locks
- Compact
Cons
- Locks and clasp on shoulder strap can be a bit flimsy
- Fleece interior makes it hard to clean
Best Hard-Sided Pet Carrier
AmazonBasics Two-Door Top Load Hard-Sided Pet Travel Carrier
Constructed out of plastic and features a front wire door, as well as ventilation holes along the sides, top, and back
AmazonBasics Two-Door Top Load Hard-Sided Pet Travel Carrier
This pet travel carrier is a fantastic option for guinea pigs as it’s large enough to accommodate them and offers protection.
It’s constructed out of plastic and features a front wire door, as well as ventilation holes along the sides, top, and back.
There’s also a door on the top of the cage to make loading your pet easy.
Added Security and Features
Screws are included that can be attached to the top and bottom of the travel carrier for extra security, which is a really useful feature.
The spring-loaded front latch allows for a smooth opening, while the quick-release latches on the sides of the carrier make it easy to set up.
The top door features a strong handle to make carrying your guinea pig easy and stress free.
However, the carrier is made from plastic which is a little thin.
The cage can also be a pain to disassemble for storage once it’s put together.
Specs
- Dimensions: 18.90” x 11.81” x 9.84”
- Type of Carrier: Hard-Sided
Pros
- Offers plenty of ventilation
- Features two doors
- Comes with screws for additional security
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Plastic is a little thin
- Can be difficult to disassemble
Best Sling Carrier
YUDODO Pet Sling Carrier
Made of leather and mesh, so it offers comfort and breathability. Comes with a wide padded shoulder strap and sturdy hook which can be adjusted to a range of lengths.
YUDODO Pet Sling Carrier
If you have a lot of other bags to carry in addition to your guinea pig carrier, then this sling carrier from YUDODO could be a solid choice.
It’s made of leather and mesh, so it offers comfort and breathability.
The carrier comes with a wide padded shoulder strap and sturdy hook which can be adjusted to a range of lengths.
The main benefit of this type of carrier is it allows you to carry your pet completely hands free.
As this sling carrier is compact, it doesn’t take up a huge amount of space. It comes in a variety of colors, too,
However, it’s best to use a more sturdy carrier for long journeys to offer more protection and security.
The straps on the bag can also be a little uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
Specs
- Dimensions: 17” x 5” x 11”
- Weight: 13.6 oz
- Type of Carrier: Sling
Pros
- Allows you to carry your pet hands free
- Made from breathable material
- Compact
Cons
- Not recommended for long journeys
- Straps can be uncomfortable to wear
RYPET Carrier Bag for Guinea Pig
Made from mesh cloth, oxford cloth, and thick aluminum film. It offers a lot of breathability for your small animal to ensure they don’t overheat.
RYPET Carrier Bag for Guinea Pig
Next up is the RYPET guinea pig carrier, which is extremely compact.
The bag is a bit on the small side, so I’d recommend using it for young guinea pigs as it might not accommodate adult pets.
Construction and Features
The bag is made from mesh cloth, oxford cloth, and thick aluminum film. It offers a lot of breathability for your small animal to ensure they don’t overheat.
Shoulder straps that can be adjusted and detached are included with the case, so you can wear it hands free.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to use the straps, there’s a convenient handle on the top of the carrier.
Easy To Carry
The bag is very compact and can be easily zipped down to make it simple to store.
Unfortunately, the bag is a little flimsy in terms of design and can have a fairly pungent odor when first purchased.
It also doesn’t provide much absorbency.
Specs
- Dimensions:9” x 7” x 7”
- Weight: 5.3 oz
- Type of Carrier: Soft-Sided
Pros
- Breathable material
- Comes with shoulder straps and a top handle
- Very compact
Cons
- Best used for young guinea pigs due to small size
- Flimsy design that doesn’t offer much absorbency
- Can have strong smell when new
Petmate Sky Kennel Pet Carrier
This easy to carry travel cage is made from durable plastic, non-corrodible wing nuts, and strong steel wire.
Petmate Sky Kennel Pet Carrier
Another excellent hard-sided guinea pig carrier is this one from Petmate.
Construction and Features
It features a 4-way vault door that makes it easy to access your small pet and keep them safe.
The travel cage is made from durable plastic, non-corrodible wing nuts, and strong steel wire.
It provides a huge amount of ventilation to ensure your small animal gets enough airflow while inside.
Easy to Carry
You can easily carry the travel cage using the handle positioned on the top shell.
It’s relatively simple to put together and disassemble, too.
A few accessories are included with the carrier like ID stickers and clip-on bowls, which is a nice extra.
One main downside of this guinea pig carrier is its fiddly front door which has a tendency to get stuck when you try to open or close it.
Specs
- Dimensions: 21” x 16” x 15”
- Weight: 5.6 lbs
- Type of Carrier: Hard-Sided
Pros
- Durable and sturdy
- Offers plenty of ventilation
- Fairly easy to set up
- Comes with a few accessories
Cons
- Front door is a little fiddly to open and close
Petsfit Soft-Sided Pet Carrier
Made from high-quality EVA and PU material and features a fleecy interior to give your pet optimal comfort.
Petsfit Soft-Sided Pet Carrier
Petsfit’s soft-sided bag is made from high-quality EVA and PU material and features a fleecy interior to give your pet optimal comfort.
It has a fabric handle and shoulder strap to make carrying your guinea pig easy, as well as a zipper front door.
Holes are located along the sides of the bag to allow for ample airflow to keep your small pet at a stable temperature.
Easy to Clean & Store
It also folds down completely flat to make it easy to store.
The interior pad can be removed for cleaning and is washing machine safe, too.
My only gripe with this travel bag is the flimsiness of the front door zipper.
Specs
- Dimensions: 16” x 9.1” x 9.1”
- Weight: 1.8 lbs
- Type of Carrier: Soft-Sided
Pros
- Comes with a top handle and shoulder strap
- Very soft
- Interior pad can be removed for easy cleaning
- Offers lots of ventilation
Cons
- Front door zipper can be a bit flimsy
Sport Pet Foldable Travel Carrier
Has a sturdy frame that’s made of impact-resistant polypropylene, which helps keep your small pet safe and secure.
Sport Pet Foldable Travel Carrier
The last guinea pig carrier I recommend is the Sport Pet travel cage.
It has a sturdy frame that’s made of impact-resistant polypropylene, which helps keep your small pet safe and secure.
There’s a large side-opening door that makes loading your guinea pig straightforward and hassle free.
Easy to Clean and Store
It’s also easy to clean and can be folded down for easy storage.
Numerous ventilation holes are located on the case to provide your guinea pig with enough air during transit.
Easy to Carry
A plastic handle is attached to the top of the carrier so you can move it around with ease.
However, this animal carrier does have a minor design flaw.
The ventilation holes stretch to the base of the carrier, which might cause it to leak if your guinea pig uses the bathroom.
Specs
- Dimensions: 15.2” x 18.5” x 4.2”
- Type of Carrier: Hard-Sided
Pros
- Sturdy and secure frame
- Easy to clean
- Lots of ventilation holes
- Can be folded down for storage
Cons
- Ventilation holes might cause spills to leak through
Conclusion
Here’s a quick recap of all our top picks…
Best Soft-Sided Pet Carrier
Best Hard-Sided Pet Carrier
Out of all the travel cages I’ve reviewed, I think the best guinea pig carrier to use for your small pet is the AmazonBasics Two-Door Top Load Hard-Sided Pet Travel Carrier.
It’s made out of plastic and has a front wire door, which keeps your pet safe and sound during a trip.
Ventilation holes are located on the top, back, and sides of the cage to keep your pet cool.
There’s also a top door with a handle to provide you plenty of access to your guinea pig.
My only gripes with the unit are its thin material and difficulty to disassemble for storage.
Great Alternatives
Both the Natuvalle 6-in-1 Pet Carrier Backpack and YUDODO Pet Sling Carrier are worthwhile options if you want a soft travel bag for your pet.
The former is extremely comfortable for your guinea pig but lacks absorbency. The shoulder strap on the case can also prone to breaking.
YUDODO’s sling carrier allows you to carry your guinea pig completely hands free but isn’t recommended for long journeys or in crowded areas.
Thanks for reading! If you want a look at the best guinea water bottles to add to your carrier click here.
