An outside cage which is cat proof

[SW <3 Guineas]

I have been contemplating to build a c&c cage outside. I had a quick browse to see if anyone had a c&c cage which was safe outside but had no luck. I have an enclosed backyard with a patio, the only animals which visit my backyard are doves and cats. I already have a alluminium cage (70cm x 170cm) which is completely safe but I'd like to include another so my piggies have more room. I only leave my piggies outside during the day and I keep them in smaller cages during the night. Does anyone have any ideas on the cage I am contemplating? Is it safe? Is it ok to cat proof it as suggested on the main site or should another method be undertaken if it will be used outside?

[Percy's Mom]

Even if you make a large outdoor cage, the only time they should be out there is if you or someone else is out there watching them. There are too many variables outdoors that makes it unsafe for piggies full time. Does the weather outside where you live stay between about 65-80 degrees Farenheit all the time? C&C cages are great for the pigs, but even with a lid, they are hardly predator proof.

[SW <3 Guineas]

the weather drops at night but it's fairly constant during the day it hardly drops below 20 C but I don't put them out unless its over 25 C. Do you suggest getting another alluminum run then if the c&c is to unsafe?

[Percy's Mom]

You didn't answer the biggest question. Is this a run for outdoor playtime, or are you planning on leaving them outside all day long? If it's an outdoor living space, I wouldn't recommend anything at all. Playing outside is great when someone is out there with them, but they should have a nice large place to live inside.

[SW <3 Guineas]

Oh sorry I missed that question, yes I plan on letting them stay outside all day. I require a cage for them outside because cats sometimes manage to get into my backyard and there is a small gap under one of the sides of the fence. I am unable to have a larger cage inside because of the landlord or I would I already leave them outside all day (if conditions allow) but I wanted to expand with a c&c, although I realise now this will be unsafe. Any other suggestions? I'm a little tight with money at the moment.

[Percy's Mom]

No matter what kind of cage you have outside, unless you're with them all the time, a cat will get to your pigs if they want to. If the cage is outside all the time, there are also risks of insects or the weather changing suddenly. I'm afraid you're not going to get much support or advice on this forum for housing your pigs outside full time.

[SW <3 Guineas]

I'd rather let them run around outside during the day, where they are happy, then keep them inside in a smaller cage. You may not agree, but my pigs really do like being outside. The cage is actually catproof and there is generally someone home to scare cats away if they are spotted. As I mentioned when I started this thread they stay under a porch which is safe from the weather and I do not put them outside if the weather is bad or will become bad. I do not understand why this is an unsupported issue by this forum?

[Charlie's_mamma]

I think the reason everyone is so unsupportive about keeping them outside is because of all the risks. 25 C is pretty hot to keep a guinea pig outside. Sorry but if you can't keep them inside you shouldn't have gotten guinea pigs, they're not meant to be kept outside. Yes guinea pigs like to play in the backyard, but only for awhile. You even said yourself that cats get into your backyard. If a cat (or any other predetor for that matter) is determined enough they can get into the c&c cage. Did you try talking to your landlord about keeping the guinea pigs inside?

[Aertyn]

25C is 1 degree about the optimum temperature Charlie.

I think people really have to start understanding the trouble that Australian's have with housing Guinea Pigs, not only are the materials hard to come by, but are quite often expensive. (enough grides to make a 2x4 with no roof, and no stand, is $30) But for those who rent it's particularly bad, as it is often in leases saying you can't have pets inside. Most people think of Guinea Pigs as overgrown Rats, and that's why we have so much trouble with this sort of thing.

[Charlie's_mamma]

Over here that's a pretty hot temperature. I don't live in Australia so I can't really see it from your prospective.

[Aertyn]

25 is lovely weather, normal Spring day.

And if you can't see it, don't judge it.

I'm going to stop posting for awhile too, just fade into being a reader of posts, the amount of times I've had to literally turn my laptop off before I've lost it, is starting to get quite riduculous.

[Percy's Mom]

Just because it's difficult to keep them inside, doesn't mean that it's right to keep them outside. Societal norms aren't an excuse for keeping them outdoors almost constantly.

25C = 77 degrees Farenheit. 20C = 68 degrees Farenheit. 25 might be lovely Spring weather to you, but to a guinea pig, that's getting pretty hot. Bringing them inside if it got to 25C would make a lot more sense. Suppose the temperature spikes. What happens if it starts to rain suddenly and the wind blows the water under the porch? Are there no insects where you live? Even if you don't see them, animal waste tends to attract little bugs that could bite and irritate your pigs. You mentioned that "generally someone home to scare cats away if they are spotted." Suppose someone is not there. Outdoor cats are predators. If they want your guinea pigs, no matter what kind of cage you have them in, they will find a way to get into that cage.

Even without all of the environmental variables, guinea pigs aren't livestock that have a job to be done outside. They do better in almost every instance being where people can interact with them on a constant basis.

[SW <3 Guineas]

I don't really see a cat chewing it's way into a metal enclosure personally.. I have it padlocked at the door and I delibrately picked the strongest cage for this reason. They have lots of hidey holes, boxes and hay to hide in and always popcorn around the cage.

I actually had my guinea pigs before I started renting, I had to move out to go to University. I beleive in the 'environment' section on the front page is says "what is comfortable for you is comfortable for your pigs" (in terms of temperature). I keep my pigs under a porch so it never gets too hot, they are out of the sun and my backyard rarely has a breeze because it has high fences and a roof (somewhat like an 'outdoor room'). I understand the risks you are mentioning but as Aertyn mentioned it is very different from America to Australia. My pigs are use to the weather (inside and outside) being around the 17-30 Degree mark, we rarely use heating or cooling so they are comfortable with the normal fluctuations of heat inside and outside the house (maybe not so much outside because I only keep them out from 9am - 4pm if weather permits).

I merely wanted to know if a c&c cage was as secure as my other outdoor cage and now I know it is not thus I will not use one outside. Thank you for that.

[SW <3 Guineas]

Also another note about the bugs, I will be buying a stand shortly so my pigs are off the ground outside, thank you again for that. I did not take into account microscopic bugs.

[fourbwabbys]

What about bugs that fly? They can easily get into the cage. Do you have racoons in Australia? They have been known to open padlocks. You'd be surprised how easily a cat can figure out how to get its prey. Honestly, if you'd rather risk your pets lives, I think that's selfish.

[SW <3 Guineas]

Yes I'm selfish, of course that's why I joined a guinea pig forum for no particular reason but to see how I could improve my own piggies lives. That's exactly why I contemplated to become a vet... I get very irritated by being called selfish because clearly I am not if I'm actually seeking advice fourbabbys. I don't appreciate that comment especially when we were all rationally discusing an issue.

Perhaps I need to explain the situation more clearly. I do not keep my guinea pigs outside at night due to temperature and the increase of pests. I keep them inside at night and while the weather is bad. My inside cages are 50cm x 95cm so I beleive it's to small for them to enjoy, and I see this in my guinea pigs reactions to being confined in the hutches to long. My guinea pigs enjoy running around outside, the joy they have with the extra space makes me fullfilled and content I have added something extra to their lives. I live in the city so their are less species of insects, the majority of flying bugs are mosquitos but they only emerge at night. However, I beleive it is somewhat inevitable that guineas (or even ourselves) are bitten by mosquitos. Their is no doubt that even accompanying my guinea pigs outside for 1 hour a day would reduce the bugs they would encounter while chewing on grass. Eitherway, I do not want to reduce my guinea pigs enjoyment of life so I will continue to house them outside during the day when weather permits.

I will however find/make a stand to suspend the cage and put barrier spray around the legs to pevent bugs crawling into the cage. Thank you for the imput again.

Oh and Racoons...? No not in Australia love