Wheeks and Squeaks B&B

About our Guinea Pig Boarding

My name is Liz, I'm new to pet boarding, but I've had pets of my own all my life. I am a very experienced guinea pig servant and have had rats hamsters, and also a dog previously. I have also interacted with and cared for friends and families mice and rabbits. I currently have four guinea pigs of my own and plan to get a new group of rats soon.

I don't have a very big house so I can't board many pets at once, but this also means that they'll get plenty of attention. Your pets will be cared for similarly as they are used to as you'll be able to tell me their normal routine and likes and dislikes. I give all of my guests the same level of care as my own pets while they're with me.

I'm most experienced with rodents and other small mammals, but I'm willing and able to care for any animals that I have the facilities for, or that can come with their habitat. I love all animals, if I haven't cared for an animal before I will research their care requirements and talk to you about what they need.

I work full time, but I mostly work from home so I'm able to check on everyone several times a day and feed snacks when they're demanded. I'm able to be flexible for drop-offs and collections.

I'm able to care for;
Small Mammals
Guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, mice, gerbils, chinchillas, degus, hedgehogs, sugar gliders (everything but guinea pigs in own enclosure, although I'll be expanding my facilities soon)

Birds
Small to medium pet birds (in own enclosure)

Reptiles
Tortoises, and small to medium lizards and snakes (in own enclosure)

Amphibians (in own enclosure)

Invertebrates (in own enclosure)

As a devoted pet servant, I know what it's like to miss your little friends when you're away so I can send you regular photos and updates.

Accommodation:

I have two Midwest guinea pig cages (1.2m x 0.6m), they can each house up to 2 guinea pigs or they can be connected to house a group of up to 4.
I can board other small pets, although they will need to come with their own cage as I don't have spares. I'm hoping to expand my facilities in the near future though.

My own pets live in my cellar which is very comfortable and cosy for them as they get to have their own bedroom and it has the least temperature variation in the house. The coldest it gets is 15C, and the hottest it gets is 20C (even in a heatwave). It gets good airflow as the door is kept open, and there is an air purifier in the room. Your pets will typically stay here too.

Exercise:

This depends on the type of animal, and also on the individual personalities of your pets.

I have two main exercise spaces, most pets will get to explore my lounge/dining room but messier pets will explore the cellar floor as it's easy to wipe clean. I also have a playpen to contain smaller and/or more adventurous animals.

These are a few examples of exercise frequency based on species. Please note this is the minimum amount of time, it may be more time depending on what other animals are staying.

Hamsters- one hour twice a week
Rats- one an hour every day
Birds- one hour a day
Guinea pigs- a few hours once a week

For animals that don't get floor time daily they'll still be handled regularly e.g. cuddle/sofa time.

For very shy pets, it may be in their best interest to have less interaction but they'll still be checked on frequently.

Health & Hygiene:

Your pets will have a full cage clean once a week for longer stays, with frequent spot cleaning. In addition to this all of my cages will be disinfected between guests. For pets that might be distressed by a full cage clean e.g. hamsters, they'd get a partial clean i.e. 75% new bedding mixed with 25% old bedding.

For my own pets, I feed pellets (or equivalent) in the morning, and fresh food in the evening, and frequently top up hay for guinea pigs. I can also accommodate a different schedule if required. I use Burgess Excel guinea pig nuggets, and I have a seed mix I make for my rats that would also be suitable for hamsters, gerbils, mice and some birds. It's made of dozens of different seeds and dried herbs and vegetables, and is much more nutritionally varied than most commercial seed mixes.
For more commonly kept pets I can provide food, but if your pet requires a specialist diet you'll need to supply this.
I can feed your pets my food, or you could send them with their regular food. Some small pets can be fussy and/or have sensitive tummies so this can be best in some situations.

Upon "checking in" I do a health check, which includes weighing your pet and checking them over. To protect my own pets and others that might be in my house, I'll also administer an anti-parasite treatment for mammals and birds.

Should any of your pets need additional care e.g. administering medication this will cost an extra £5 per pet. I've encountered several different health issues with my own pets so I'm experienced with caring for sick animals.

I take my own pets to Hampden Vets in Aylesbury as they have two exotics vets who are very experienced with guinea pigs and other small animals. If your pet becomes ill while staying with me I will take them there. I will consult you first if possible, but as our small friends hide their illnesses vet trips are often an emergency. You will be responsible for the cost of this.

Guinea Pig Boarding Prices

All prices are per animal per day
Mammals
Guinea pigs- £5
Chinchillas- £5
Hedgehog- £5
Sugar Glider- £5
Degus- £4
Rats- £4
Hamsters (all species)- £3
Mice- £3
Gerbils- £3

Small birds e.g budgies- £4.50
Medium birds e.g. conures-£6

Reptiles- £4-£10 (depends on species and size)

Please contact me if you have another type of pet and I can tell you what the price would be.

50% of the total cost will be due upon booking as a deposit, which is not refundable if cancelled within 48 hours. The other 50% as well as any additional fees accrued will be due when collecting your pets. This can be paid in cash or via Paypal.

Other Services

Services: GroomingClaw Clipping

Please note, that some of these services are only needed in certain circumstances. I'll let you know if this is the case during check-in, as I don't want to do an unnecessary procedure on an animal. I've only listed services for the animals I have the most experience with, but can typically do basic grooming e.g. nail trims and ear cleaning for the majority of small animals.

Guinea pig grooming
£5 nail trim
£5 ear cleaning
£5 boar cleaning
£5 grease gland cleaning
£5 haircut for long-haired pigs
£5 hair brushing
£10 bath
£20 Guinea pig "spa day" (all of the above)

Rat Grooming
£3 Nail trim
£3 Ear cleaning
£3 Tail cleaning
£8 Bath
£10 Rat "spa day" (all of the above)

Guinea pig bonding
£30 extra per week
I have introduced several of my own pigs (all boars) successfully. I can introduce or re-introduce pigs that have had to be separated using a mix of buddy baths, neutral spaces and cage swapping. I can't guarantee that it will be successful in a week but I've had a lot of success with my own pigs.

Boarding Facility Images

Cloud and Pepper's cage Darcy and Bingley's cage Pepper and Cloud during floor time Cloud snoozing on his favourite bed Frodo, Pooh and Piglet's cage Frodo and Pooh snuggled up for a nap Frodo, Pooh and Piglet during floor time Bath time boys Breakfast please! Temporary set up for introductions Sweetpea, Thistle, Bluebell and Buttercup's cage Thistle saying hello Rat nap time Omelette time for Thistle and Buttercup My kitchen

Reviews from Our Guests

Thank you so much Liz! My girls were treated like the queens they think they are. Received regular updates and pictures which eased my mind as was the first time leaving my two with someone they didn't know. Booking in process was super easy and I could tell straight away my girls would be well cared for. I also requested a nail trim for an extra £5 per pig - great value for this service. I highly recommend Liz to look after guinea pigs and will be using her services again.

From Sarah on 13/04/2024