Guinea pigs

[Philippa]

Hi all. Looking for some help. After the awful time we had with someone stealing Maisie's rabbits we are looking to replace them. Does anyone on here keep guinea pigs and if so do you keep them outside successfully???

We really don't want anything that is to live in the house but I've heard guinea pigs need to be indoors.

TIA

[Toaster]

I love guinea pigs they are so cute. A friend breeds them and keeps them out from around the start of April, they live in hutches in the garage over winter but the garage is attached to the house so not all that cold, you can also get hutch covers for use in garages or sheds too

[Philippa]

Thanks toaster. I'm not sure we have room in our shed or garage for them. That's my only problem xx

[brindlerainbow]

I had 2 guinea pigs that lived for about 7 years. We had their cage in the yard about 4 foot up in the air to keep them safe from predators. They were on top of the housing for the water treatment system for the bore hole which had a heater in it which automatically turned on if the temperature was near freezing so they were always warm in the winter!!! In the summer they went out in a run on the grass for most of the day unless it was wet and cold and just went back into the cage at night. So, yes best protected from the worst of the weather

[smallpony]

I have kept guinea pigs and they were always kept in outdoor hutches. I just made sure that in winter they had plenty of bedding to snuggle up into, and I covered the front of the hutch with sacks at night or if it was snowing,hailstones etc. I did keep a rabbit and a guinea pig together and they would cuddle up together in the winter. The rabbit was very good at washing the guinea pig too, and making sure he was clean.

[sjw87]

Guinea pigs are sociable animals and need to be kept in pairs if male or pairs/groups if female (male groups can fight). Females are usually easy to introduce to each other but males will only really get on with each other if together from a young age.

It is not advisable to keep them with rabbits as a kick from a rabbit's hind legs can cause serious damage or be fatal.

In terms of living outside, they can but need to be acclimatised to it and care taken in cold/wet/windy weather. Ideally a shed or garage for bad weather (mine live at the yard so have a stable) but as a very minimum, keeping the hutch as sheltered as possible and covering it and/or turning it round to face the building/fence when weather is bad.

They are absolutely wonderful pets though and so full of character. Plenty of rescues around or buy from a private breeder as a lot of the pet shop ones haven't had much handling so take more to socialise.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using proboards

[Philippa]

Thank you all. It's really helpful info.

[bubbles1822]

I have had a few they are in a hutch under a covered area all year round... stops the wind and rain. In winter just keep the hay stocked up and then they have a heater that I can put on When freezing

[mcnaughty]

I had a few years ago and kept them in a sort of conservatory (it was really more of a crappy half greenhouse with no door) at the back of the house.

Lovely animals - they call to you when you come home from work and don't scratch like rabbits can.

[Philippa]

Awww they sound fab. Well we've been for food etc today while Maisie is at school so fingers crossed may have new additions over the weekend. I'll keep you posted

[Philippa]

We've been and picked 2 girls. They are able to join us on Tuesday. We are very excited lol.