Cage would it be cruel

[AussiePiggies]

I get where you are coming from @newbie1, I was there myself not so long ago. In Australia GP's are predominately an outdoor pet and we get them and their hutches because we have no room for a larger or indoor pet... I know I did! My home is way too small, and my 3 kids waaaay to loud and fast... the only spot would be in the loungeroom right near the tv and where everyone walks/runs past in and out the door to our yard/front door, that would be too loud for them... well, they are thriving there with all the noise! Not in quite as big a space as I know they should be but they are happy and healthier than they were.

I stumbled across this forum looking for answers about something else and felt that perhaps all these peeps were a bit nutty (no offence guys!!! :silly:) but the more I read, the more I realised they were on to something!
On the predator note.. I don't know where you live, but even here in my beachside area the council baits for foxes and those little buggers are craftier than snakes and kids! Just because we don't see them, or don't have the same caliber of predator as the US members doesn't mean they aren't there I was worried about funnel webs and redbacks too here once the idea of just what could harm the boys out there was planted!

 

[edcaguy]

I wonder about people who have pets they can't properly take care of.

 

[newbie1]

me too. I wonder about that ALL DAY

 

[newbie1]

I'm going to look into getting something for indoors for winter, my house is so tiny I will have to figure something out though.
I'm wondering if I could convert something myself

 

[GoldieBrodiexx]

Guinea pigs are indoor animals...
Is there any way you could keep them in a shed in your garden? I know it's not ideal, but..

 

[pinky]

Insects pose as big a danger to them as snakes or predators. Loud kids are much better than putting them at risk from being outdoors. My guinea pigs don't even move when I vacuum around them. If they really are family pets, it's all the more reason to keep them inside with the family, not away from them.

 

[newbie1]

What insects?

 

[MochaAndMoo]

What insects?

(Spiders aren't insects, but you get the point).
Red back spiders.
Funnel web spider.
Mosquitoes.
Trapdoor spider.
Paralysis tick (This one is well known for causing guinea pig deaths, there is nothing a vet can do if a pig is bitten).

These are all common deadly Australian insects, all which can give a fatal bite and end a pigs life.

Plus there are cats, dogs, foxes, chicken hawks, birds of prey and snakes. An Australian backyard is no place for a pig.

 

[HannibalLecter]

What insects?

Funnel web spiders, red back spiders, white-tailed spiders, mouse spiders, wasps, bees, beetles, centipedes, millipedes, scorpions, stinging ants, paralysis ticks, caterpillars, mosquitoes carrying deadly viruses & flies causing flystrike, among many others.

Australian Insects
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[newbie1]

I live in the city home slice

 

[AussiePiggies]

I live in the city too, we have just about everything listed above lurking around here! The only ones I haven't seen at our place would be chicken hawks, scorpions and mouse spiders.... dear god I hope I don't see a mouse spider!!!

 

[AussiePiggies]

I'm sure you could convert something! There's some very ingenious "cages" being made by ppl! I love the look of ones that look like furniture

 

[madelineelaine]

converting something would be a fabulous idea!

 

[HannibalLecter]

You can look at alternative cages in the gallery. (broken link removed)
In my country it's common to make cages out of cheap bookcases, waterproofed with something like a plastic tablecloth which is fun to switch with the seasons. Just make sure the inner measurements of your cage matches the recommendations on the front page, preferably larger for boys. The main issue would be making it safe from your children if they are too young to be trusted around the pigs.

Pictures of bookcase cages:
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[AussiePiggies]

Lovvvvvvve that second one @HannibalLecter!

 

[Aleks]

I live in the city home slice

Just because you live in the city doesn't mean there aren't spiders, bees, wasps, mosquitoes, flies, and other insects they named.
I live in the city as well (though not in Aussie) and there are still lots of outside bugs that could harm piggies. Granted there are far more insects and such to be worried about if you didn't live in the city, but regardless those risks are still there.

 

[Aleks]

I love those bookcase cages! Very creative.

 

[R5 plus]

Funnel web spiders, red back spiders, white-tailed spiders, mouse spiders, wasps, bees, beetles, centipedes, millipedes, scorpions, stinging ants, paralysis ticks, caterpillars, mosquitoes carrying deadly viruses & flies causing flystrike, among many others.

Australian Insects
(broken link removed)

And don't forget about lions, tigers, and bears, OH MY!:silly:


Seriously, I love those cages @HannibalLecter . Those really are some scary sounding bugs, I would definitely want to keep everybody safely inside.

 

[newbie1]

The chance of my guinea pigs being bitten by any of those is close to zero. The only insects that you listed that live in my state are red backs and Mosquitos. A red back would not attack a guinea pig.
If these insects posed a danger I would keep my children inside.
you know what I think is cruel? Not allowing an animal to feel the sunlight or the wind and rain. That is cruel.

 

[newbie1]

It shocks me how misinformed people are about native Australian animals