Outside Time

**Eolith** · #1 12-31-05, 03:35 pm

I used to take my guinea pig outside and let him graze all the time during the summer... but that was when I was still quite ignorant. Even so, he really seemed to enjoy it. Of course I never left him on his own. I usually laid a blanket out next to his play pen and read. It was wonderful... but having read more lately, I've seen horror stories about cavies getting deadly diseases from contamination in feces nearby. Should I nix the outdoor time for my new piggies or is this just being a bit too paranoid?

**kimmee** · #2 12-31-05, 05:01 pm

I would never let a piggy "graze" outside... there are too many variables in my opinion. You could have some kind of chemicals on your lawn which makes piggies sick, you never know! I guess I'm a little over-protective of my pets though *hehe*

I think it would be a bit safer if you at least put something down on the ground of the playpen, so your cavy doesn't have any contact with your lawn or ground in general (that would keep them away from other animals' feces as well, I think).

**laura220** · #3 12-31-05, 05:14 pm

I don't see anything wrong with it. As long as you know no pesticides were used and dogs or cats aren't often on it I think it's fine and the pigs really love it.

**fourbwabbys** · #4 12-31-05, 06:50 pm

My pigs love going outside in their playpen. I'm always outside with them, though. They are in my personal backyard, so I know that no pesticides or dog feces are around. I wouldn't reccomend it if you lived in an apartment unless you know exactly what is put in the lawn.

**kimmee** · #5 12-31-05, 07:01 pm

If any of you ever let a cavy outside, MAKE SURE they have both WATER and SHADE!

Cavies can get heat stroke, that happened to a friend of mine's cavy once

**JennG** · #6 12-31-05, 07:24 pm

I know plenty of members that have taken their cavies outside for fresh air and fresh grass. As long as you are sure that there's been no pesticides placed on the grass or there aren't any animals that use your grass, it's ok.

**kimmee** · #7 12-31-05, 07:28 pm

I have a suggestion for those of you who want to give your cavies fresh grass!

Buy seeds of a safe type of grass for cavies to eat, and plant it in a large pot keeping it inside your house, just put it on a window sill or something.

Then, in a week or a few weeks (depending on what speed your grass grows, also what type it is) you can start to harvest lots of fresh grass for your cavies!

This is much safer in my opinion, because you can keep it from getting polluted in any sort of way

**TheQueen** · #8 12-31-05, 10:05 pm

I always let my girls outside in the summer time. I have a huge playpen for them (6x6 in grids!), and I sit outside with them. I take out a pigloo, water, blankets, etc, and they love to relax in the fresh air and eat the grass. Sometimes, I put a small tub of water in their playpen, they like to go in it to cool off in the summer.

It's fine to let your pigs out, but as said before, make sure the lawn has no chemicals or feces on it. And don't let the pigs stay out too long, because of the heat.

**Eolith** · #9 12-31-05, 10:32 pm

Sounds great. I know that my lawn is safe for them. We never do anything to it. It's kind of pitiful really, but there's one spot with lush yummy grass.

**Ly&Pigs** · #10 12-31-05, 10:56 pm

As long as the area is safe and you are outside the whole time to monitor and supervise them, then it's no problem to let them out to graze on fresh grass as long as the grass hasn't been treated and you keep them away from the feces of other animals.

Moving this to the appropriate forum section.

**Fluffball** · #11 12-31-05, 11:27 pm

Ive wanted to put my piggies outside for the longest time!

Ive devised a plan that I think will make it safe for them. Cut off a piece of lawn an area that will be dedicated to the piggies. Fence this off using grids and canvas. Place the canvas on top of the grids holding it in place with binder clips or cable tie it. Make sure some sunlight can show though so the grass grows still. This allows pigs also to have shade.

The canvas will stop birds leaving droppings and swooping down on your pigs. It will also stop dogs e.t.c from trying to come in. I suggest watering the whole area before letting the pigs on the grass. This way it is fresh and clean. Allow the grass to dry before putting the pigs in.

Ive never tried the idea I know its needs alot of tweaking before it is perfect but I thought its some kind of plan to allow the grass to be safe. Also make sure you remove any dangerous weeds that they can ingest before alowing the pigs in the play area.

I live in an apartment right now so I have to wait until I have a house to try the idea. I also have grass growing on my window sill! Its due to be harvested any day now I hope my piggies will like it.

**wheeker** · #12 01-03-06, 02:42 pm

I have a big chicken wire pen outside that my piggies and my rabbits play in in the summer wen its nice out.

**Percy's Mom** · #13 01-03-06, 04:34 pm

I have a metal planter that I'm planting grass in for my guys. For the summer, I'm thinking about getting a kids wading pool and repeating the process on a larger scale, so the boys can have fresh safe grass.

**mcdermott1956** · #14 01-07-06, 01:57 pm

Its a great idea putting your guinea pigs out for a run ,but only in a Run.They love outside time,mine always pop corn when their outside.they wont stop.ahh its so funny,and they love their cubes and logs and of corse the long grass.and my grass has not been treated.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password