I am building an outdoor guinea pig hutch.

[mariaelise]

I know almost every member here is against guinea pigs living outdoors. But me and my father have been looking at it from every angle, and we think it is the best choice. I have several reasons.

First of all, if they were to be kept inside, the cage would not be big enough for them. We don't have that much space in our house that we are willing to use for the guinea pigs.

Second, all of your arguments about why guinea pigs should not live outside are countered in our situation. Weather. The way the hutch is going to be insulated and positioned, rain won't get in, the time in the sun is minimal, and the nights will stay around 70 degrees, as will the days. I live in southern california, so the cold weather is minimal, and keeping the temp low enough for the piggies won't be a problem.

Also, the cage will be about 2 1/2 stories (2 stories, and then a 3rd story that wont cover the entire cage, but about half of it). Even if the pigs decide not to go up the ramps at all, they have a 16 sq. foot cage on the first floor alone. Adding up all the floors, if we have adventurous cavies, they will have 40 sq. ft. to roam in!

As for the issue about not getting enough attention. It is sort of hard to miss a 16 sq. foot cage that is 3 stories high. We have a clear glass door that goes into the backyard from the kitchen/living room area. If the guinea pigs as much as squeak, we will hear them.

Predators. First of all, we live in suburbia, so the wild animals are minimal. We don't see outdoor cats that much here, but we do occasionally get coyotes. The cage will be raised about 3 feet off the ground, and we will add padlocks to the wire mesh door. And it's not flimsy, its very solid. That is even if there are any coyotes, as I have personally never seen one in my 16 years of living in this house.

If you have any other arguments I missed, please tell me. Otherwise I think my future piggies will have a happier life outdoors then they could ever have indoors.

One last note. Unfortunately, I probably wont be able to adopt guinea pigs. We have a local adoption agency in our area (Orange County Cavy Haven) but they are against outdoor living too. So I guess I will have to buy from a pet store. I wish this was not the case, but it is.

[Paula]

If you can't or aren't willing to devote the appropriate amount of space inside your home, why even have them? They're family pets and really shouldn't be forced to live in exile outside the family.

As for the temperatures/weather where you are, I recognize that this might be the norm for your area, but what about the days/nights that are unusually warm or cold? It happens in every area and you can't control or predict when the weather might be different than what you've grown accustomed to. Do you at least have a plan for when/if this happens?

The cage you describe would be outstanding if you were willing to give up the same amount of space inside your home. I don't understand why you'd be so willing to devote the time and energy to constructing something as awesome as this sounds and then park it in the back yard.

Regarding your plan to give attention through a sliding glass door. It's more than just physically seeing them. How often do you plan to interact with them? Check them for illnesses or other issues? Give them floor time? It sounds to me like you're planning to make them yard ornaments that move and make noise.

Regarding predators in your neighborhood/area, that you don't or haven't seen them doesn't mean that they aren't there. And if an animal were to get inside the cage, your pigs would have no means of escape. Why risk it?

The guinea pig rescue is against outdoor living for a multitude of very good reasons. And just so I'm clear, you're planning to go to a pet store and buy pigs that are likely already sick and stick them outside where you interact with them very little and can't come close to providing a stable steady temperature for them?

I'm sorry, but I really fail to understand why you feel the need to have them if that's the life you've got planned out for them. I suggest you get a squirrel feeder and watch the animals that come around instead of buying animals for your own enjoyment (while contributing to an already massive overpopulation problem) that you're going to dump outside and tend to their needs every so often. It just seems unnecessarily cruel and terribly unfair to me.

[Peggysu]

I don't think you should get guinea pigs if you are unwilling to include them in your family. They don't deserve to be put outside when they may get some attention once a day when you feel like going outside.

I live in California too. I used to live in southern California in "suburbia" and I saw plenty of Cayotees in our neighborhood and unfortunately many outdoor cats. The temperatures get hot and cold. If you live on the coast you get lots of fog which is not appropriate for guinea pigs to be in as when the sun goes down they are damp and cold, with no way of warming themselves until the sun comes up in the morning.

I think you should reconsider housing outside as it's not an appropriate place to house a domesticated pet.

My guinea pigs are inside and they get interaction throughout the day.

[momof1kid3piggi]

Ok. where to start? I think if you are not willing to bring the guinea pigs inside. then why do you have them/want them? They will more then likely be forgotten out there. Yes you say that you can see them. But would you really want to go outside and sit there for hours on end? because thats what we do inside, sit there and give them attention. I don't understand why you can't find the room. And bring the cage you took so much time to build inside.

i my self have lived in California for 10 years with my aunt. The temperature vary's from day day Like Peggysu said if your near the water. Fog is not good for their lungs.

Another thing, I'm sorry but this is how I feel, If you did any studying/lurking around this site. Wouldn't you have known not to post this kind of thread? So many people are against outside housing here.

[princesspoppy]

I feel really sad for you piggies. I live in ireland and the weather here is awful 365 days of the year. So i would never dream of keeping an animal outside. Your piggies need contact with you. Lap time,floor time and you interacting with them.

Even if you live in california,the weather can change without notice.The rescue has that policy for a reason and if ever piggie owner had your plans in mind,then none of the pigs would be rescued they would all be bought at pet stores.

If i had a choice between keeping them in a slightly smaller cage inside,rather than a huge cage outside,then i'd go with the indoor cage.

[katiewilson]

I wanted to post to concur with what others have said. If you aren't going to be able to provide a guinea pig with the best possible care, or really, even just acceptable care, then it'd really be in the best interest of the guinea pig to be housed elsewhere. I mean, you're even willing to add to the pet overpopulation problem by purchasing from a pet store instead of adopting. Yikes. Since it sounds like you haven't gotten one yet, just please consider the guinea pigs and their happiness before making any potentially selfish decisions that would be a detriment to that guinea pig, as well as the homeless guinea pigs waiting to be adopted.

It's nice that you really like guinea pigs and want one, but in this case, they'd be better off waiting for a good indoor home.

[Ly&Pigs]

Predators aren't just cats, dogs, birds and wild animals but humans too. We've had people post on this very forum about human predators breaking in outside cages and killing or stealing the pigs.

You can't efficiently monitor for illness outside. One major fluctuation in heat or cold could cause them to become ill or die.

Buying pigs in petstores will ensure that you will either end up with pigs that have mites, pigs that may be pregnant or already ill pigs.

I'm glad that OCCH is not willing to adopt pigs out to people who want to house them outside.

[mariaelise]

I did have 2 guinea pigs before and they lived inside. Their cage was big, but honestly I think a bigger cage would be good. The temperature does not change a lot, and its an insulated hutch. That means it has good airflow.

I love guinea pigs, and I have done a lot of research on them. And no guinea pig owner sits there inside giving their piggies attention for hours on end every day. That's the truth.

It's not that I am not willing to have the guinea pigs indoors, it's that I don't think 10 sq. feet is enough for them to roam about in. They are animals, they should not have to listen to vaccums, people talking and laughing, or the vibrations of someone running down the stairs. The backyard will be much more peaceful.

Many people in ENGLAND use outdoor guinea pig hutches. Where it SNOWS.

I know everyone on this site is hard-headed and not open to new ideas. But I am building a hutch, and the guinea pigs wont be unhappy in it.

I am not worried at all about the temperature. My dad built a shed outside, and it always stays nice and cool, no matter how hot or cold it is outside. He will use the same insulation here. If you don't think guinea pigs can ever live outside, then i think you are wrong. I will be posting a new topic once the hutch is built and the guinea pigs are happily living in it. If it doesn't work out, I guess we will have to find another family for them. I am sure it will, though.

[mariaelise]

Also, Ly&Pigs, I have an experienced vet in my area which I will bring the guinea pigs to be checked up right after they are adopted from a pet store. I think it's better to provide a suffering animal a good, healthy home then let it die in a pet store cage or have an inexperienced child who wanted a "G Force" guinea pig become the owner.

[Paula]

It sounds to me like you're pretty much willing to justify what you want anyway and have already made up your mind to relegate these poor pigs to a life outside because having them in your possession will make you happy.

And you're right, no one can give their pets attention for hours at a time. What they can do with their guinea pigs if they are indoors and at least in a place where they get a lot of interaction is monitor their healthy and behavior a great deal more closely than you will be able to if the pigs are living outside. If you really believe a guinea pig will be living a quality life outside, you're deluding yourself and quite honestly I think it's a shame that someone would be willing to build such a great home/cage for guinea pigs and then refuse to allow them to be inside as part of the family. They deserve better.

And it's not a matter of them "having to listen" to any of the household sounds you describe. They get used to those things as they get used to the house and the people that share their home. That's a very poor excuse for banishing them to the outdoors for your own convenience.

And that people have their guinea pigs living outside in England neither makes it right nor serves as justification for you doing the same.

And I'd appreciate it if you stop making assumptions about people on this site. We're not, as a whole, hard headed or closed to new ideas. We are, however, committed to seeing the animals we know and love living the best lives possible. And that means not seeing them live outside because they've got an owner determined to have them but not so determined to do what's best for them if it means compromising his/her own convenience.

Planning to pawn them off on another family when and if you decide they are unhappy in your outdoor utopia is irresponsible. Guinea pigs, like all pets, are for life. Not and experiment for you to try out or until you decide they are no longer your thing.

It's good to hear you've got a competent exotics vet lined up for the pigs you buy from a pet store. You're absolutely going to need one, it sounds like.

[Ly&Pigs]

And no guinea pig owner sits there inside giving their piggies attention for hours on end every day. That's the truth.

And making this statement is akin to calling members of this site liars. Unless you've been to these members homes you can't make statements like that and represent it as fact.

Many people in ENGLAND use outdoor guinea pig hutches. Where it SNOWS.

And they go by the old standards and many are breeders too. Many probably don't even know about keeping pigs indoors so your argument has no merit.

I know everyone on this site is hard-headed and not open to new ideas.

We are in fact open to new ideas, but keeping pigs in outdoor cages is not a new idea. It's been proven time and time again why keeping them indoors is better. Perhaps it's you that is hard-headed and not willing to listen to the facts stated.

Also, Ly&Pigs, I have an experienced vet in my area which I will bring the guinea pigs to be checked up right after they are adopted from a pet store.

I'm at least glad you have a cavy savvy vet because you will most likely need it.

I think it's better to provide a suffering animal a good, healthy home then let it die in a pet store cage or have an inexperienced child who wanted a "G Force" guinea pig become the owner.

And I, along with the majority of members on this site, think it's better to end the cycle of abuse, neglect and breeding that is associated with petstore pigs. For every pigs you buy in a petstore, it's replaced by at least two or more which come from backyard breeders or cavy mills where the breeders have no standards. The only way to stop the cycle is to stop the demand.

I think you are more about satisfying your own needs/wants instead of what is in their best interest/needs.

So basically, you can sit here and argue with us all day long and someone will counter your arguments. In the end you will do what you want but remember this, you don't get to come flaunt it here. Also please don't plan on posting photos of your outdoor cage in the galleries as they will be removed.

[katiewilson]

I did have 2 guinea pigs before and they lived inside. Their cage was big, but honestly I think a bigger cage would be good. The temperature does not change a lot, and its an insulated hutch. That means it has good airflow.

I honestly do see your point...the bigger/more room, the better, right?! But in this case, it really is not better. Please trust the experience of really great guinea pig owners on this. Bigger does NOT necessarily mean better when it means you have to move them outdoors.

I love guinea pigs, and I have done a lot of research on them. And no guinea pig owner sits there inside giving their piggies attention for hours on end every day. That's the truth.

"Hours on end" may be an exaggeration for many, but that doesn't take away from the fact that pets made to live outdoors are usually not given nearly the kind of attention that indoor pets do.

It's not that I am not willing to have the guinea pigs indoors, it's that I don't think 10 sq. feet is enough for them to roam about in. They are animals, they should not have to listen to vaccums, people talking and laughing, or the vibrations of someone running down the stairs. The backyard will be much more peaceful.

Hmm, it sounds like you're really reaching here. "Vibrations" from people using the stairs? C'mon now. When it comes down to it, the guinea pigs will be much more afraid of being exposed to predators and the elements than a vacuum. And which excuse is it...the cage wouldn't be big enough, or there's too much noise inside?

Many people in ENGLAND use outdoor guinea pig hutches. Where it SNOWS.

Sounds pretty horrible, right? Isn't that just awful of them to do? Yeah, I feel that way about guinea pigs being forced to live outdoors, too. Even if it isn't snowing.

I know everyone on this site is hard-headed and not open to new ideas. But I am building a hutch, and the guinea pigs wont be unhappy in it.

Yeah, a lot of us members are pretty hard-headed about things that have proven to be harmful to guinea pigs and that are generally considered poor pet care.

I am not worried at all about the temperature.

Well, of course not, because you'll be indoors!

My dad built a shed outside, and it always stays nice and cool, no matter how hot or cold it is outside.

Does it have air conditioning? If not, I'd be curious how one prevents a shed from getting too hot in California. Regardless, even California has its extreme-weather moments, and it's not fair to keep a relatively delicate creature outside for your convenience.

If you don't think guinea pigs can ever live outside, then i think you are wrong.

(sigh) Then why bother asking for our opinions?

If it doesn't work out, I guess we will have to find another family for them.

This saddens me the most. "I want guinea pigs, but not enough to keep them indoors, nor adopt homeless ones. Oh yeah, and if it proves not to be as convenient as I hope, then I'll dump them." Seriously, the selfishness is staggering, and I deeply hope you reconsider.

[SpacePig]

I live in the UK, the first piggy I had lived outside for the first 2 years I had him, it was cold, he was miserable and I wasn't old enough to realize it.

Now I look at my four pigs who are safe and warm inside and I cant imagine them being anywhere else. They take up half my living room but that's the sacrifice I made in order to make my cavies happy and part of my life. Its an old fashion view that dogs be kept outside, its the same with pigs.

If room is an issue, maybe think about a pet that requires less space

[CavyMama]

My sentiments and feelings about this situation are the same as the others here. You mentioned that when inside, pigs are bothered by loud noises like vaccuum cleaners and people going up and down the stairs. Two points on this - 1. they do get used to these noises after a while and 2. what about loud noises outdoors like lawn mowers, leaf blowers, motorcycles and weed whackers.

You mentioned that you had room enough for a 10 Sq ft cage. What's wrong with that? How many pigs do you have that you feel this isn't enough room? You say more is better while in the same breath saying you don't have enough room inside.

Also, you mentioned 40 sq ft including all the levels in the outdoor hutch. Upper levels don't count toward square footage. Whatever the main level is, is how many square feet they have.

Also, you said the weather stays pretty constant. You can't predict a cold snap or a heat wave. You can't say for sure that the weather definitely will stay constant.

As for predators, keeping the pigs inside ensures that you can keep an eye on them. Pigs outside tend to be out of sight out of mind.

As for adopting, do you think maybe there's a reason the shelter won't adopt to people planning to house outdoors? The solution to that is - DON'T KEEP THEM OUTSIDE! Your solution is to try to get around it by buying where they don't care WHO takes them home?

Sorry, I doubt you will get much support here for your outdoor enclosure.

[Jennicat]

I just want to say for the record, that I am really quite tired of people using space as an issue when keeping guinea pigs inside. We currently live in a house that is 900 square feet. It is tiny. I foster for a local rescue, and currently have 10 guinea pigs in my house, and they all have above the minimum required space. Surely if I can make room for 10 in my tiny house, the average person can make room for two, right?

[xxlizzybordenxx]

Why put them in a situation where they can be in such danger. You will feel awfully guilty if you wake up one morning to a torn open cage and no pigs. Wild animals are present everywhere especially as our human population grows and thier natural habitats are destroyed.

If you have limited room inside you should find a local rescue and adopt 1 pig that doesn't get along with others. There are pigs that prefer to be alone and will fight with other pigs but still love human companionship. That way you are dealing with the space issue and also helping out a pig in need instead of contributing to terrible breeding practices. You can shower that pig with tons of love and change his/her life indoors!

[CavyMama]

Just a note to add - I took a look at that Orange County Cavy Rescue. It looks fabulous! What a great organization! Most shelters don't (or won't) house guinea pigs and there in the OC is a shelter designated for guinea pigs. You should consider yourself lucky to have such a place close by. It even gives a list of local vets.

[pigsmakemesmile]

I just want to say for the record, that I am really quite tired of people using space as an issue when keeping guinea pigs inside. We currently live in a house that is 900 square feet. It is tiny. I foster for a local rescue, and currently have 10 guinea pigs in my house, and they all have above the minimum required space. Surely if I can make room for 10 in my tiny house, the average person can make room for two, right?

Diddo...I too live in a tiny 900 square foot house and occomodate 5 pigs, 5 rabbits and we foster dogs. It's back breaking trying to keep my home clean and work a fulltime job as well. Sure, moving the pigs outside would free up space, but one would have to be out of their mind to want them housed outdoors. I'd be more concerned about human predators....just read on some of the threads about what sick (expletive here) have done to pigs.... that were housed outdoors...so bad I had nights I couldn't sleep cause it made me sick and feeling awful about those poor innocent babies.

Don't get the pigs if your going to relegate them to outdoor living. Why even bother.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

If you don't have room for them indoors, then you do not need guinea pigs.

I live in So Cal and I would never house my guinea pigs outdoors. There are predators (racoons, hawks, coyotes, dogs, cats and even human ones) here and rapid temperature fluctuations. I have heard of many people losing their guinea pigs to heat stroke here - even after losing them, people don't believe that is what happened.

This site stands against outdoor housing for a reason.

By the way, you are not adopting from a pet store but buying. You are not doing those guinea pigs from breeding mills any favors by putting them in less than stellar conditions where they will likely live an even lower quality lifespan.

Please read Cage Location

Especially the bottom. Guinea pigs who are housed indoors live longer and tend to be more social. Why bother getting them if you are keeping them outdoors away from you?

You seriously cannot move the couch a few feet or get rid of one piece of furniture for their benefit?

If you really think they will be happier outdoors then you have your head in the sand. You are not considering their best interest but yours.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

If you don't think 10 sq feet is enough then why not build them a bigger cage or give them lots of floor time?

It's not that I am not willing to have the guinea pigs indoors, it's that I don't think 10 sq. feet is enough for them to roam about in. They are animals, they should not have to listen to vaccums, people talking and laughing, or the vibrations of someone running down the stairs. The backyard will be much more peaceful.h.