Cage Outdoor? Indoor? Conflicting information!

[ApplePiggies]

I have had 3 boars for almost a year now, and we have them in an outdoor run, but I have heard some conflicting information about indoors or out...

Am I doing the unspeakable? The equivalent of a betta in a vase?!
:sad:

ApplePiggies

 

[bpatters]

Maybe.

We don't recommend outdoor runs (unless for a short period of time, and if the pigs are closely supervised), because they're just not as safe out there. The best cage in the world can't keep stinging and biting insects out, and most can't keep out snakes, mice, roaches, etc. Guinea pigs are susceptible to heat stroke, and a day that might feel great to you can kill them.

They're prey animals, and as such, they hide illnesses very well. Sometimes (most times) very subtle signs are the only clues you have that a pig isn't feeling well, and with some diseases, they can go from not feeling well to dead in less than a day. If your pigs are inside where you can see and interact with them, you have a much better chance of catching illnesses and problems before they become severe. As an added benefit, they're usually cheaper to treat if caught early than if not.

And finally, as far as I can see, there's no benefit to having a pet if you can't enjoy it. My two guinea pigs are in my living room/den, where I spend most of my time, and I love watching them. They're the cutest critters ever, with tons of personality. If they were outside, I'd see them to feed and water them, and that would be about it.

 

[ApplePiggies]

I am in the UK...
We don't have any venomous snakes, ect.

 

[bpatters]

No, but you do have stinging and biting insects/flies/bugs/etc., plus others that don't bite or sting but do carry diseases (roaches, for instance). And we've seen way more than a few news stories on here about pigs in the UK being stolen, turned loose, having had their hutches attacked by dogs, etc.

 

[CavyMama]

There is more to worry about outdoors than just snakes. Spiders, ants, flies, dogs, humans, sudden drops or spikes in temperature, wind storms. You also cannot be out there to monitor their health or to take action if one suddenly became ill. Inside is temperature controlled.

 

[ApplePiggies]

Apart from harmful wildlife, what other reasons are there?
I need some good ones to convince my parents. They have always believed in the pigs being outdoor pets. I had one live to around 5 - 6 yrs old outside...

If I am to invest in a C&C cage, 5 by 2 grids, 180 cm long, I really need good reasons to convince with!

Thank you so much for your help so far!
I really appreciate it, and I do want the best for my pigs.
ApplePiggies

 

[bpatters]

You don't have to have a C&C cage -- they're just easy, cheap, and suitable. As long as your pigs have enough room to move around and are adequately housed, you can use many kinds of cage materials. Take a look at the photo galleries here -- there are lots of cage ideas.

 

[ApplePiggies]

How will I convince my parents?
They would opt for C&C if they decided it was the right move...

 

[bpatters]

Well, I gave you several. Read the page at the Main tab on top of this page for more.

You get to interact with them more.
You'll find illnesses earlier, when they cost less to treat.
They're safer from weather, heat, and things that crawl, sting, and bite.
There's no point in having a pet if all you do is go outside once or twice a day to feed it.

 

[Fay]

There are foxes, house cats, stoats, badgers and other predators in the UK. The weather gets too cold and windy as well. I also hear stories about guinea pigs and rabbits being stolen from people's back yards all the time. There are numerous bugs and parasites that could harm them or cause issues, like roaches, lice, ticks, flies etc.

And as others mentioned you won't be able to keep track of their health properly because they hide illnesses and you can't enjoy them fully. I see no point in placing them outside when it's a big risk to their continued well being and they can't be part of the family. You can't provide them with adequate care if they're kept outside and just because one pig lived a long life outside doesn't make it a good option.

I would really encourage you to invest into a C&C or alternative, good sized, indoor cage. Preferable in the living room or other well travelled room.

 

[CavyMama]

I mean you wouldn't keep a dog outside all the time, would you? That wouldn't be very much fun if you only got to interact with it outside. And it would be subject to all the environmental risks that a guinea pig would (weather, wild animals, insects, risk of being stolen or killed). And for a guinea pig, it's worse, they are in a cage with nowhere to go. They are a sitting duck, so to speak.

Did you read @bpatters post about convincing your parents?

 

[ApplePiggies]

Yes, thanks very much all.