outdoor cavies

[liteslefton]

Newly wed and the guinea pigs go outside. In the summer, the patio stayed cool, but now that winter is approaching I am worried. I've placed them away from the house so that they get more sun and stay protected from the winds. They are in a fenced yard that's ten feet by ten feet. There is grass and concrete, which they like very much. I have two dog houses for them, filled with shavings and timothy. I've even put attics in them filled with newspaper for insulation. There is a bigger cage surrounding one house on three sides and this cage is covered tightly with a tarp that blocks wind sufficiently.

I'd like to put a heating element out there, but not sure how I could do this. Any ideas?

[Faunn]

You should keep your pigs inside, no matter how much planning you do, they can still freeze. I thought my rabbits could be outside, but even they should be kept inside. If you could put so much effort to the outside one, you can possible do a C&C cage as well.

[mncavylover]

If you have any space at all, please keep them inside. If you must keep them outside, then build them a shed that is insulated, can be secured from predators, and that has sufficient heat from a heat lamp.

[tashagurl]

Where do you live?

[Piglet]

Well, it is ok to have them outside, but it depends where you live. You could try using lamps since they would give off a bit of heat. You could put lots of fleecy stuff in the cage - cozies, cuddle cups, old face towels. You could also put lots of hay in there, so they can snuggle up in it if they feel cold;.

[tashagurl]

Mine live outside for most of the year too. Unless its too hot. In the winter the live in my room most of the time because my backyard floods and is all soggy.

[Furkidsmommy]

I think all piggies should live inside with the family. It's not just about the weather it's about the interaction you have with your animals. I would never dream of keeping my girls outside, they are family members and belong in here with the rest of us.

[mncavylover]

That's true as well, it's very hard to interact with them when they are outside all the time.

[Piglet]

Yes, ok that is true. But they may come in for floor time or lap time for a couple of hours a day

[AngelsCavies]

I could never leave small animals outside at all. I can see for like a few hours day but not a life time. Dogs can live outside if they love it out there not indoors. Poor pigges you should keep them in the house or you could find them frozen. Hate to say that they are so cute and loves to be held. all my piggies are in a room the i am in the most which is my pc room. I talk to them everyday and hold each one for at least an hour or two. I got 14 piggies and will be getting more from a shelter when they get more.

[cinn&sprinslave]

If you really have to keep them outside build a one room type of shed thing, with 3 windows or so, and during the winter two heat lamps to keep them warm, hay, and lots of food and bedding. The only problem is with keeping the outside at all is you can't bring them in the house much because of the temperature change. It is hard on their bodies to go from one temperature to another. If you can keep them inside then do that.

[DaCourt]

JMHO....Pigs and Dogs should not be kept outside.

[roosterboy]

I agree with this. My cavys, dogs, and chinchillas stay in the kitchen and den, where I see them all the time. The only time they go outside is when they are with me.

Originally Posted by DaCourt

JMHO....Pigs and Dogs should not be kept outside.

[Piglet]

roosterboy, I swear you were banned from this site!

[mncavylover]

I agree, no animal should always be kept outside with no shelter. Even with shelter, there aren't many animals (besides those on a farm, like horses, etc.) that can just live outside all the time. If you're not watching, there's no telling what predators may get in. You also have to worry about aerial attacks (ie hawks, eagles) as well as the ground attacks, weather, and just interaction.

[Loveheart]

in england i used to keep my 10 guinea pigs outside in hutches then let them out in runs in the day or let them loose in the yard but thing is we didnt have alot of predators only fox's and maybe a falcon or something but are yard is fenced in and never saw bird of prey but now i move to USA and im like snakes! and eagles etc to many predators its so weird having a guinea pig inside the house but it makes it better as you get more interaction with the guinea pig and its more friendly too also its cute seeing them everyday

[mncavylover]

No matter where you are, you shouldn't keep your cavies outside. There are very few exceptions to this rule, and they aren't generally "outside." They are simply in a shed that is heated/cooled, weatherproof, and that is large enough for a good-sized cage and supplies. However, interaction is hard to come by, so that's a big drawback.

[three_piggies]

Mine live in a half insulated shed, which used to be wooden kids play fort. I use 2 heat lamps in the winter (like now). You can read about it the "New member" thread, post #4. They have lived out there for a year, maybe a little over a year. I bring them inside when it is too cold or too hot. Usually it is just when it is too hot though, the cold is easy to handle. Add a third heat lamp, cover some of the with fleece, and other things. But sometimes you have to bring them inside.