Guinea Pigs Not Living Inside?? :(

[guinealover14x]

Ok so I live with my mum in South West England. I have had my 2 female guinea pigs Cocoa and Mocha for 1 and a half yrs now. I only recently found out about C&C cages, and thoughtthey were a great idea but there was oone problem - both mum and I have severe hay allergies and as u know guinea pigs cant live without hay. So they live in a shed - it's insulated and we take the 2 windows off (which reveals strong wire netting with small holes) to let air through during the day only when it's ok weather or not too cold. Our pigs don't live in a hutch, but actually use the shed as their hutch. It's about 4x7ft sq and I have used about 2ft just in front of the entrance so we don't step on them. The barriers made of wood block off this bit. They run around everywhere else. There is also a ramp and an upper level and we change the Carefresh bedding around every 2 weeks. We make sure it's always nice and clean for them, and that the temp is ok. It's hard to keep them becuase of our allergies but we just about manage. We have to hoover and clean thoroughly after their floor time every day, and we just can't have them inside! I feel so guilty about my stupid allergies and want them to go away. I dream about them being inside, and have nightmares of the shed blowing away (I know it wouldn't but that's my wierd brain for you). I love my cavies so much - they mean the world to me. Please don't remind me I'm horrible for not having them in the house, and don't say they belong with someone else because I feel like crying when I think about stuff like that. So my question is is there anything I can do and are they ok living like this? Also do we need a disinfectant for the inside of the shed? I've heard it's bad for the wood to do it too often.
Thanks in advance for yyour replies.

[pinky]

It could be the hay you're allergic to and not the guinea pigs. They're at risk from predators, insects and weather related problems when they're housed outdoors.

[ellisa]

Have you tried other types of hay to see if another type would be better for your allergies?

[guinealover14x]

We get the Timothy hay for our piggies and it causes the reactions so does the grass hay we tried before that.

They're at risk from predators, insects and weather related problems when they're housed outdoors.

Well the shed is sturdy and bought last yr after our other one got old. It's weatherproof and animal proof.

[ellisa]

Okay, just checking. Many people say that orchard hay is better for their allergies than timothy.

[ellisa]

Here's a link that has suggestions for dealing with hay allergies. Hopefully some of these might work and the pigs can be housed indoors.
Allergies

[pinky]

Can you go to an allergist to be tested for different things? I'm allergic to timothy hay but am not allergic to orchard grass. There's also bermuda grass and brome so there are a few alternatives and you might not be allergic to all of them. I've found that if I get timothy without the seed heads, I don't have a problem. There are different cuts of timothy so you might be able to get the one that has the least of it.

We get the Timothy hay for our piggies and it causes the reactions so does the grass hay we tried before that.

[Cogni]

I have a mild allergy and I find that orchard grass gives me minimal problems. My piggies like western timothy hay better. I switch between them and I take Claritin (loratadine) when I feel allergic. The fewer seedheads the better, so you can try 3rd cut timothy hay.
Oh, I just realized that in Cornwall there may be only one hay crop per year. You will have to do some scouting around to see what your options may be. Do you use horse hay from a farm? See how many crops there are per year and get the latest cut you can

Can you go in the shed and play with the piggies? How much time do you spend there?

I assume it is not heated in the winter--what do you do with them then? Sheds are not generally insulated against cold and even in Cornwall it can get well below piggie comfort zone. I see you're trying to figure out what to do but we need to know the whole situation.

[Cogni]

I have a mild allergy and I find that orchard grass gives me minimal problems. My piggies like western timothy hay better. I switch between them and I take Claritin (loratadine) when I feel allergic. The fewer seedheads the better, so you can try 3rd cut timothy hay.
Oh, I just realized that in Cornwall there may be only one hay crop per year. You will have to do some scouting around to see what your options may be. Do you use horse hay from a farm? See how many crops there are per year and get the latest cut you can

Can you go in the shed and play with the piggies? How much time do you spend there?

I assume it is not heated in the winter--what do you do with them then? Sheds are not generally insulated against cold and even in Cornwall it can get well below piggie comfort zone. I see you're trying to figure out what to do but we need to know the whole situation.

[Onetwo]

Agreed. See allergist, try different hay, and try to give them the best life you can. Hopefully with an allergist you will be able to live with your piggies inside.