Can guinea pigs be housed outside?

Question

I asked a question yesterday and came back with a couple of people saying, "your hutch is unacceptable", by using the description I am about to give you, can you give me your opinion?

Ok, so my hutch, cage, whatever you want to call it is located outside, under the patio, protected from the wind.

It is a two part cage, 1 part is inclosed and the bigger part open. The hutch is made out of wood (which they don't eat), with 2 doors on the front. On the doors I have some metal fly screen stuff with 1cm2 squares, to protect them from mozzies and other bugs I have some strong flywire over the top. I also have a playpen in which the hutch sits in which protects them from the wind even more. At night I have a thick sheet which I double over and place over the hutch, to keep them warm, I leave some space so that they get a continual air flow.

Inside the hutch is newspaper, aspen and hay in the inclosed section. They have tunnels, chaff, pellets and a fresh supply of fresh produce.

They also have water in a water bottle and wooden treats.

The hutch is 1.40 metres by 50cm. My friend has a smaller cage and she has 2 guinea pigs in it. A breeder that I know has the same cage as mine and has up to 4 guinea pigs in each cage. Hers are also kept outside under the patio. Even my vet has the same cages and has 2 guinea pigs per cage and they are outside.

They come out for over an hour a day for floor time, so that they can stretch their legs and are well looked after.

I was always told that that cage was big enough for 2, and that they would be ok outside.

I will just define what I mean by inclosed. The whole cage has a roof on it. The inclosed section has no doors and it has wood on the front. The section I call open has mesh on the front..

Kimbee J -
The cage does have an inclosed bottom, and is raised above the ground on four legs.
In regards to mosquitoes - that is why I have flywire over the top of the squares. They are safe from dogs because of the play pen in which the hutch is placed.

Oh and btw I live in Australia. So it really isn't cold like it would be in the UK

The bottom of my hutch is closed. The floor is wood. I have 2 guinea pigs...

I seriously think that they are fine outside. The cage is secure, safe and warm and they have the protection that they need from bugs and other nasties. I treat my pets wonderfully and just because they live outside doesn't mean that they are not part of the family. My guinea pigs get more care then anyone elses that I know.

Answer 1

Yes Guinea pigs can be housed outside as they are originally from the open plains in South America. Make sure they get out for '' Floor Time '' and also make sure that you clean it as many infections can come from being outside. Rethink about using newspaper, it can kill from the toxins of the ink if the piggies eat it. I suggest shavings, or care fresh. Good luck and remember to spend time with the piggies!!

Answer 2

Well I have had two hamsters in the past and I now have two left (So four altogether) My family have had hamsters before when they where children too so I know quite a lot about them! First off, are they good pets? Yes, they are cute and easy to handle. It may sound strange but all hamsters have a personality which is kinda sweet :D Second question - Do they stink? Well I have had times when they can be a little smelly but that's only if you don't clean them out often. All you need to do is clean them out once a week and they will be perfectly fine :) Aaaaand the next question - Do they do better alone or in pairs? Well this depends if you get a syrian or not. Syrians fight if they are put together. All the other types of breeds from what I know of are fine being together. Sometimes you get the odd one or two that don't like eachother so if I was you I would just get one by itself. They are much more happy that way. I personaly think syrians are more friendly for they consider you as there friend instead of anouther hamster. Dwarfs can sometimes be a bit nippy so bewear of that if you decide to get one! :D Question 4 - Do they get sick often? No. Simples What are the most common sicknesses a Guinea pig or hamster could get? Well I would proberbly say for a hamster... Wet tail. This accures normaly when the owner doesn't clean there hamster out often enough. What would the most common thing I would have to look outfor? Probably entertainment. Often they get bored at night for they are knockturnal. Just having a simple toilet roll can cheer them up! What would I need to consider before getting one? Urm.... Getting a cage? haha :P Good bedding would be the Safe Bedding from Pets At Home (UK) It looks a bit like shredded + compact tishoo paper. It doesn't look as cozzy as the wool one but normaly they get too hot in that. Well I hope this was usefull and good luck!

Answer 3

Gailtheguinea pig and a few others gave you wonderful advice. However, you keep defending your setup after you asked for opinions. If yo are determined that you are right and all of the rest of us are wrong, why bother asking the quesion?
They are correct in saying that guinea pigs should not be housed outsided anywhere in the world. That's the bottom line. Your cage is too small as well. Gail gave you the minimum peasurements you need and the site to help you make a better cage.
If you want what is best for your piggies, then you will listen to Gail's advice.

Answer 4

I remember your last post. But I'm still unsure if your bottom of the hutch is wire or not. I'll say again that wire flooring causes bumble foot, and is extremely painful for a guinea pig. And how many pigs do you have exactly? The room needed expands as your number of guinea pigs increases.

For one piggie, you need at least 7.5 square feet. This is generally about 30" by 36". Two pigs need from 7.5 to 10.5 square feet, which runs at 30" by 50". For three cavies you need around 10.5 to 13 square feet of a cage, being 30" by 62". Four guinea pigs need 13 square feet or bigger, especially if they're males, at around 30" by 76". Now all of this information is on the front page of Guinea Pig Cages ( http://www.guineapigcages.com/ ) in chart form.

Maybe this thread on a highly respected guinea pig forum can change your mind ( http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/about-cages/25502-summer-coming-should-you-house-your-gp-outside.html ) It basically underlines the reason why you shouldn't house your guinea pigs outside and provides examples about the dangers of outdoor housing. The fact is that guinea pigs are domesticated animals, so they deserve to be treated as a member of the family. That is what domesticated means. ( http://www.answers.com/domesticated&r=67 ) A member of the family wouldn't be left outside. 24/7.

Addition: (I was so involved in the upper part of this post to remind you of better cages!) As posted above me, C&C cages are simply the best way to have a guinea pig in the home. They're cheap. They're affordable. They're easy to clean, and the guinea pigs will love you for giving them room to run around in. Now, this doesn't necessarily take away floor time, but you could certainly rest assured that the guinea pigs are getting their exercize as needed. Benefits ( http://www.guineapigcages.com/cubes.htm ) Directions ( http://www.guineapigcages.com/howto.htm ) Testimonials ( http://www.guineapigcages.com/testimonials.php )

I feel like i'm writing some sort of sermon, but seriously think this over. Your guinea pigs will thank you.

Another Addition: Thanks for clarifying that the bottom of the cage is closed. Wood soaks up urine, so that might not be a great place to keep them. I know you probably have litter down on top of the wood, but it still might home parasites and stuff from the urine.

Answer 5

A few things to keep in mind.

1. The hutch needs to have a solid bottom only...any wire will damage their feet.

2. Guinea pigs are very susceptible to heat exhaustion/heat stroke. They do better at cool temps.

3. Outside they will be vulnerable to mosquitos and other biting insects. They will also be vulnerable to predator attack--dogs and other animals will attempt to get to them through the cage (I've seen it multiple times).

How about keeping them indoors, and making an exercise pen for them outside on nice days where they can enjoy a little fresh air and some grazing on grass (no pesticides/fertilizers)? They will be safer and more comfortable.

Answer 6

Uh, if you want to keep it outside then just watch out for the pest. No, I'm not talking about misquotes and bugs, i'm talking about children. Make sure no one enters your yard and open up the cage. Also, if it gets hot (above 80F) then you should bring it in because Guinea Pigs can die from heat stroke, even if its in the shade. If your not going to bring it in, then atleast leave a frozen water bottle or jug to keep the cage cool. Get like 3 and rotate each of them when one melts (one in the cage, 2 in the freezer).

Answer 7

I wouldn't put the cage outside. Temperatures vary too much and may stress the cavies. I would suggest building a C&C cage. The following site is one of the best in my opinion: http://www.cavycages.com/

It will tell you about the C&C cage, proper housing, and there is a forum for any questions.

I hope this helps.

Answer 8

where in australia do you live? where i am some days it can be 1 degrees which is WAY too old for them and some days it can be 40 degrees witch is WAY too hot. your cage sounds fine (how many pigs do you have?) to me other then the fact it is outside. really it is fine to keep them outside especially with the precautions you have taken with bugs etc. the only thing i would worry about is the temperature. their prefered tempeatures are 18 to 24. this is really hard to keep in control outside. their house and hay may not be enough to keep them warm in winter and the shade may not be enough to keep them cool in summer. seriously consider moving the cage inside.

Answer 9

Guinea Pigs are very susceptible to the heat and cold. Time outside should be limited to warm(but NOT HOT) days where the temp does not exceed 75 degrees. Early mornings or late evenings are ideal.

Answer 10

MemphisGal and gailtheguinea pig are correct... if your not going to listen to anybody.. why ask.. if all you do is keep telling us were wrong.. sounds like your going to do it anyway.... you ask the question.. people are answering with the truth.. guinea pigs should not be kept outside... that is coming from my exotic vet.. if you dont want to listen to people who obviously are top contibuters in rodents .. fine.. but we are telling you whats best