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Originally Posted by piggychic  I They are pets but first and foremost they are animals that are designed by nature to survive outdoors. |
I have to ask you if you happened to notice what the name of this website is and if you have read the homepage or other information pages of this site because somehow you seem to have missed exactly what this website is all about.
So you think all animals are designed to live outside? I'm quite certain that is true for wild animals but what you are talking about housing outside is a domesticated animal.
Domestic animals are not wild animals. They have been changed by humans through specialized breeding to be tame and accepting of humans by removing much of their natural survival instincts. This makes them unsuitable for living outside.
True, wild cavies and rabbits have an average lifespan of 1-2 years. That is why they are capable of reproducing at such a young age and in great numbers, They are prey animals thus are quickly killed off by predators, disease and accident.
Do you believe Skinny and Baldwin pigs, Sphinx cats and Mexican Hairless dogs are designed to live outside? They are animals right? Therefore, by your standards, they are perfectly capable of living outside.
I cannot see any benefits for the animal to live outside. All of the benefits are on the human side. It may make you feel better to think they prefer it but you would be wrong. Humans are animals too. Would you prefer to live outside in a shed while your parents lived in the house. On rainy, cold or hot days wouldn't you like to be comfortable too? Do you really want the company of bugs, spiders, roaming animals trying to get at you? If as an animal you don't want that then why would you subject a guinea pig to it?
Once again here are some threads about the wonder of outdoor housing. Maybe you can get some ideas there as I doubt you will get much help on this forum.
UK GP housed outside dies of heatstroke GPs stolen from outdoor cage 2 GPs in outdoor cage killed by dog (on Animal Precinct) HAWK, drops guinea pig in someone's yard Violent thugs batter family pets to death Thread about people breaking into outdoor hutches and sheds 2 guinea pigs stolen from outdoor shed Guinea pig attacked by rats in shed Magpies attacking GPs in their outdoor hutches 4 GPs dead. Cause is a suspected mouse infestation in shed and garden Ant infested yard and hutches Warning for those keeping animals outside Guinea pigs stolen from "Cavy Sanctuary" GPs stolen from outdoor garden More Guinea pigs die of heatstroke