Holiday care for small furries -wwyd?

cr1mson

We have 2 young female gerbils and hoping to go on hols at some point.

Their cage is not very moveable so have got 2 options

1) Have someone come in to house each day

Advantages 

• they don't have to be moved and unsettled

Disadvantages 

• they won't get much interaction and

• they love trying to escape when they are fed so takes 2 of us. This might be stressful and difficult for whoever looks after them especially as don't know anyone with experience of gerbils. A friend's daughter has offered but she is only 17 and never looked after gerbils before.

2) Take them somewhere else

Advantages 

• person who has been suggested comes highly reccommended
• would get social interaction

Disadvantages

• would need to be moved and cage at boarders is smaller (would take existing bedding to make it smell familiar

I am inclined to go for 2 but we had a previous gerbil who went to boarding in their own cage and developed a scent gland tumour after. Think it may have been a coincidence as male and was 3 years old but husband worried will happen again.

Grateful for any thoughts!

pramsay13

I think both options are fine so just go with whatever you think works best. As a money saving website I'd say go for the cheapest so option 1 unless you think it's really not an option.
1. The person coming to look after them could visit while you are there to see how to feed them. Can the person coming in not just feed them through the bars, or without opening it up too much, i.e. blocking off an area and putting food in a different area?
2. I don't imagine gerbils will be too bothered about being moved and might actually enjoy somewhere new to explore.

cr1mson

pramsay13 said:

I think both options are fine so just go with whatever you think works best. As a money saving website I'd say go for the cheapest so option 1 unless you think it's really not an option.
1. The person coming to look after them could visit while you are there to see how to feed them. Can the person coming in not just feed them through the bars, or without opening it up too much, i.e. blocking off an area and putting food in a different area?
2. I don't imagine gerbils will be too bothered about being moved and might actually enjoy somewhere new to explore.

Thanks I think option 2 will be cheaper!

pramsay13

Why would a friend's daughter coming into your house be dearer than pet boarding?
If that is the case I would go with 2. 

Jude57

I'd be cautious about allowing a 17 year old, whether my own or someone else's, unsupervised access to my home in my absence over a period of time. This one might be thoroughly sensible and trustworthy but one unguarded comment on social media could result in an invasion by much less sensible and trustworthy people and the potential damage that could ensue. Escaped gerbils could be the least of your worries.

Could the gerbils' Cate not be reconfigured to separate a feeding area from the rest of the space? Or could your vet recommend a pet-sitter? 

Brie

There's a lot to be said for someone coming to your house daily if you are away.  Check that the house is still there, no burglary, no mail piling up, lights going on and off.  

A 17 year old may be young and inexperienced but there's people younger that have great business sense and do babysitting without any issues.  You'd have to know that she is a careful individual and will adhere to your ground rules (no social media mentions, no friends along with her).  Maybe set out details about reimbursement with the hint of a bonus for a good outcome?  

If she was a conscientious individual, perhaps who has grown up with cats/dogs/ferrets/whatever then I would be somewhat reassured and would probably go for that option.

MovingForwards

Holidaying in the UK, take them with you.

Otherwise have the girl come in, she'll probably appreciate the break from her family home and doubles up as keeping an eye on your property.

Alternatively, buy a normal cage and drop them round to a friend, it's not hard to feed them through the flap in the roof part.

cr1mson

Thanks all!

Murphybear

Do you have any plants?  If someone visits your house they can look after them as well. 

RalphT264

That was an excellent observation. The first option will be appropriate for someone who considers both pets and plants.

TripleH

Not quite the same, but we went away for 5 days and got our friend over to stay.

We are in a quieter location than her and as she is studying and working from home, it worked out well. Plus she is capable of giving our eldest her medicine (has a cat herself). Sadly she is moving so might need to get my in-laws up if we want to go away in the future.