Advice Please

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mjburnett

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Hi All
The kids have been bothering me for a pet/pets for a while now so i've done a bit of thinking and a little research and am thinking Guinea Pigs,but would like some advice please,I have three kids so am thinking at least three maybe four,they would have to be kept outside all year,is this possible or cruel? Are there hardier breeds I could go for that would deal with the cold better than others? (I realise I'm going to be looking after them mostly so would prefer short haired)
I don't mind spending a bit of money on a decent set up to keep them dry and warm,we're going on holiday for the first few weeks of the Summer holidays so I was thinking of getting everything set up before we go and getting the Guinea Pigs as soon as we get back(mid August) so they would have three weeks of the Summer hols left to settle in with the kids around and become used to each other and hopefully bond,if I got young animals would they be old enough to cope with the winter?
I have been looking at combined hutches/runs today are these a good idea and how big would it need to be to accommodate three or four Guinea Pigs?
Thank you in advance
Michael
 
It would help if you mentioned the area that you live in, so people who are 'local' could comment on the climate.

How old are your kids?

It is certainly possible for guinea pigs to live happily outside in many places, as long as they have appropriate shelter and protection from the elements.
What i would say is that I personally feel my kids bonded a lot quicker with our guinea pigs because they were kept inside. It also made it very easy for them to be directly involved in day to day care because they were constantly around the guinea pigs, as opposed to having to put on shoes and head outside in all weathers to see their pets.

If you have harsh Winters it would make it difficult for the kids to enjoy their pets, as they aren't going to want to hang around in the garden when it is freezing or raining, but it isn't fair to be bringing guinea pigs in and out of the cold all the time.

I know a lot of people get around this by housing their guinea pigs in a heated shed. Would this set up be a possibility?

Good luck with it.
I also got guinea pigs for my children and they wonderful pets that we can't imagine life without.
 
Thanks for the reply
My kids are 6,5 and 3 and we live in Birmingham,our garden is quite sheltered,keeping them indoors really isn't an option,I have a small shed I could do without so I'm thinking of maybe incorporating the hutch into the shed but I wouldn't be comfortable with having an electric heater on overnight in there,my kids are very out-doorsy and are outside in most weather apart from when it's really bad so don't think that would be a problem,i'm just weighing up the options at the moment whether to have them or not.
Cheers Michael
 
there are some great set ups on here of outdoor sheds.. have a look in the housing section for ideas that might suit you..
 
Firstly ... :wel: to the forum.

I'm glad you suggested a shed - I am not a big fan of Guinea Pigs being kept in outdoor hutches - but an insulated shed is a good choice - especially if you have electricity and can heat it. Please also hear in mind that sheds can get very warm in summer . My shed has windows -and I have a contingency plan for heatwaves.

If you are still considering if Guinea Pigs are for you,

This is a good thread to look at ...

Quick Information Bundle For Wannabe Owners
 
Hi! Please have a read through our information bundle; we have tried to keep the information as honest and factual as possible to help you make an informed decision.

You have to be aware that guinea pigs (and rabbits, at that) are prey animals; they are not born as instant pets.

Your closest good rescue is the RSCPA Walsall; they have some very experienced guinea pig fosterers who will be able to judge which of their guinea pigs are best suited for a young family. All their guinea pigs are healthy (quarantined), guaranteed not pregnant or mis-sexed, carefully bonded and have been accustomed to being handled.
Most guinea pigs are up for adoption as bonded pairs or single neutered boars, but if they have them at the time, you could consider adopting a two sows and one neutered boar trio that have been bonded by the rescue for you if you want more than two guinea pigs. More than a boar pair together is a recipe for disaster.

An insulated shed (keep in mind that guinea pigs can die from heat stroke as well as winter cold) with light and somewhere to sit away from the cold and damp in order to interact with the guinea pigs would be great. Please be aware that your children are still at an age where they should not have unsupervised interaction with any pet.
 
Having read the information bundle myself, the section on children and pets is absolutely excellent and definitely something to read very carefully.

Please don't get guinea pigs unless you genuinely like them yourself (i think the same can be said of any pet)

If you have a genuine interest in them and your children see your relationship with them develop, they will follow suit and a lifelong love and respect for animals follows.

They take time and patience but are well worth the effort. If you look upon them as your pets (rather than the children's) they will be only too happy to get involved in their care.
 
Thanks for the replies guys
I realise the children are quite young for pets,I can't see the younger one being interested in them to be honest and it will probably be me and the eldest girl looking after them,i like the idea of rescue animals and will certainly get in touch with RSPCA Walsall nearer the time.I have read the information bundle and am confident we can give a good home to some guinea pigs,I am thinking of making a hutch and run myself so I can make it as large as possible and am wondering if there's a specific wood to use or anything I should avoid? Do they chew the hutch much? as I'm thinking of insulating the walls of the sleeping compartment and roof and don't want them to get through to the insulation,if i do,also looking into underfloor heating pad.
Cheers Michael
 
I keep my guinea pigs in wooden hutches inside a shed all year round. I would be very wary of the sheds getting hot in the summer, I have the door constantly propped open which cools it down a bit but I also use ice packs and cooling tiles. My shed is not insulated and I have never had a problem in the 3 winters of cold guineas. I do use the snuggle safe heat pads which I would highly recommend if you are going to keep them outside in the shed. Mine have had a little chew at the ramp in the hutch but do not chew the hutch itself.
 
Just looked up the heat pads,seems a good idea,do you really get 10 hours of warmth from them?
 
I checked mine once after 8 hours and they did still have some warmth in them yes. Not as much as when you first heat them but they were still warm.
 
You sound like you're going to be a great owner, Michael! You should find all the help you need on this forum. It's great you're looking into everything before going ahead. Hope you will keep us updated on your hutches and piggies and how everything is going! All the best :)
 
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