Outdoor Australian Housing

[Fluffball]

I've been reading though some posts from many Australian members who seem to agree that outdoor housing is an option. I beg to differ. One of the main issues is temperture. The reason why I am addressing this issue first is many owners seem to think that 25C is an ideal temperture.

25 degrees and above is fine

According to the ANZCCART and The Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science Australia, the environmental requirements of domesticated guinea pigs are similar to those of the common laboratory species.

''Sutherland and Festing (1987) recommend the following conditions: Temperature 18-22C, 8-20 air changes/h, relative humidity 45-70%, 12-16h light/day cycle.'' (The Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science Australia)

A temperture between 18-22C. Survival rates also drop at tempertures below 17C. Unlike some animals Guinea Pigs do not possess sweat glands nor can they pant to dissipate heat. They need external cooling methods to keep cool. If you are housing them in an environment that its over 22C (which is most Australian summer days), and their bodies retain that heat, it is unhealthy and dangerous. There is a risk of heat stroke regardless of how many cautionary steps are in place.


But inside is too hot and stuffy


This is one of the most common reasons I hear why cavies cannot be housed indoors. Humidity. You can purchase humidity blocks. These contain a blue powder, which absorb moisture from the air deeming the room cooler. Frozen water bottles, ice packs, fans, damp towels and cloths drapped over the cage, ice in bowls, bathing, air conditioners, buckets of ice infront of fans as make shift air conditioners, heat reflective material on the windows, move them to another area of the house. The list goes on. Unless you have tried ALL these methods do not rule out indoor housing. These methods work, I have no air conditoner my room is very humid and stuffy. What do I do? I use the above methods and that room is now the coolest part of the house.

Outdoors the temperture cannot be controlled. It is subject to weather changes and fluctuations. Indoors the owners are in control. They can monitor the temperture and change it via cooling methods. You cannot change nature.

Outdoors I make sure they are protected

Indoors they are protected against both human and animal predators. They are inside with other household valuables and are not seen as an easy target. Why? Because they are not seen at all. Households may also be fitted with an alarm system, smoke alarms and security features, deeming their envionrment safer then an outside alternative.

Insects such as mosquitoes, spiders, parasites, bees, wasps, lice e.tc may also pose a potential threat to your cavy. They are at a higher risk if housed outdoors as they are easily exposed to these pests. Your cavy may develop illnesses related to insect bites such as fly strike which can be fatal. Fleas, also pose a threat if they are present in the outside environment. They can cause a guinea pig to be subjected to flea anemia if bitten, in some cases myxomatosis may be transmitted by other various biting insects. This can lead to fatalities not only to guinea pigs but rabbits as well. Indoor environments provide a safe and secure environment, and a life free from the threat of illness related to pests/insects.

If insects do enter the house they can be dealt with prompty to prevent them gaining access to the cage. If a cavy is exposed to any insects outdoors, action may be slow and owners may not notice prompty leading to fatalities. If the problem is dealt with, more insects will simply replace those that are gone. You do not have the ability to enfore pet safe insect control measures.

I'm not allowed pets in my household

Have you spoken to the landlord? Presented photos, a signed written agreement from your vet stating that these animals are clean, quiet and pose no risk to the property? Have agreed to sign a statement saying that any damage that your cavies do you will pay for?

If not then you have no explored all the options. Plead your case. A written statment from your vet is a start, as well as photos of the enclosure, and stating you will be willing to agree to pay for any repairs that take place if your cavies damage the property. Reading the lease and contacting local council to see if there is any way you can have cavies indoors. Speaking to the manager of the real esate agency.

These are all options. Unless you have gone through every branch and every one of these options do not rule out indoor housing.

Outoors there are nice spring breezes that cool the cage down

These are not breezes but drafts. Expose to drafts can cause URI's (upper respiratory infections) to develop which can severely compromise the health of your guinea pig. Outdoor environments are not fully protected against the elements. Even with barriers or other materials in place to minimize the exposure weather extremes pose, it will not stop drafts from entering the cage. Indoor environments can easily be changed to prevent this. Closing windows and doors will effectively deter drafts from entering the house and the cage. Outdoor environments do not have this benefit.

I always check them for illnesses

Indoor housing offers a closely monitored environement enabling illnessses to be detected prompty. Cavies that are housed indoors will be in the midst of household activity. Occupants of the house are inside with the guinea pigs. Indoors is where they spend the majority of their time not outdoors. This enables constant human supervisison. If any signs of illness occur prompt medical attention can be given.

There is also the benefit of being near medical supplies and phones/contact numbers. If a cavy is housed outdoors it may take longer to place them within a transportation cage, provide them with first aid, and contact an appropriate verteranarian. This is due to occupants having to prepare everything inside the house and then go outdoors to retreive the cavy. Indoors you are able to constantly monitor your guinea pig, survey its condition, retrieve it effectively and you know that the cause of the illness was not by drafts, insect bites of a fluctuation in temperture as you do not have these issues with indoor housing.

I always spend time with my cavy even if it is outdoors

Cavies need social interaction 24/7 even if it is not direct. They must be able to see, hear, smell and be present in all family activities, even if it is from the safety of their cage. They must be part of the family. Depriving a guinea pig of this interaction is not valuing it as a member of your family or as a valued companion. Keeping a guinea pig isolated from household life even if it is only for short periods of time during the day is not ideal. They must have a permanent presence in the household to be able to effectively benefit not only socially but psychologically as well. Indoor environements provide this, outdoors environment do not. Even if the outdoor environment is attached to the house it is not within the house and not within the midst of household activity. Guinea pigs should be considered a valued member of the family and should be treated as such.

[CavySpirit]

Thanks very much Fluffball. I am composing an article based on submissions by members on why we do not advocate outdoor housing. This applies to everyone in the UK as well Australian as well as in the so-called temperate climates in the US. I will include the info here in the article with credit to you.

[Ruftybear]

I am in Australia, and I would never allow my animals to live outside. I have 4 small dogs who live inside. We had a courtyard enclosed so they could go outside for a little while during the day if they want to (normally they much prefer the lounge or bed option ...).

Our piggies also live inside (in the family/study area), and we talk to them all day. I have found that it makes them more approachable, and they are happy to sit while I pat them and not difficult to pick up either.

We have airconditioning, and if the weather is too hot, someone stays home with the pets so the house can be kept cool for them. Most people laugh at us if we tell them, but I have always believed that owing a pet is a huge responsibility.

I would definitely not advocate piggies, or any pets, to live outside. What is the point in having them if they are going to be outside all the time?

[saturn_power]

Some people keep their animals outside and still play with them dialy and bring them in for cuddles, also it is possible that poepl can provide more space outside than they can inside.

[Fluffball]

The amount of risks associated with outdoor housing vastly outweigh any potential excuse. More space is no reason to house a cavy outdoors, subjecting them to temperture fluctuations, predators, weather extremes, illness, drafts, insects/parasites e.t.c An indoor housing situation can easily be changed to provide more space. Moving around furniture, building a top level, providing more floor time, modifying their cage. I know many owners who live in tiny one bedroom apartments and still manage to provide the minimum size requirements as stated on cavy cages.

Even if that animal has a a limited or certain amount of interaction with its owner it is not constant. As mentioned earlier:

Social interaction may only occur during feeding times or at certain times of the day if they are housed outdoors. Cavies need social interaction 24/7 even if it is not direct. They must be able to see, hear, smell and be present in all family activities, even if it is from the safety of their cage. They must be part of the family. Depriving a guinea pig of this interaction is not valuing it as a member of your family or as a valued companion. Keeping a guinea pig isolated from household life even if it is only for short periods of time during the day is not ideal. They must have a permanent presence in the household to be able to effectively benefit not only socially but psychologically as well.

[saturn_power]

my pigs seem fine, they always have done i always make sure the shed is at a steady tepmrature and their 2ft by 8ft hutch seems to cause them no problems

[Ruftybear]

I see you are in the UK saturn. How do your piggies fair in Winter?

[saturn_power]

They have some cube pens inside and one large store bought cage with cube pen round it. When my brother moves out, the cavies are having his room and the bunnies can have their shed