Giving My Piggies Exercise During The Cold Autumn/winter Months?

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Ruby Inferno

Ruby Inferno

Teenage Guinea Pig
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So, my piggies live outside in a secure 2x4 ft outdoor hutch due to lack of space in my house. The hutch has a fitted waterproof cover, with the addition of a bench and two metal patio chairs rammed up against the doors when I am not around. They regularly get exercise on the lawn during warm days in a metal exercise pen.

However, it is beginning to get a bit too cold to put them on the lawn. As there is no space in my house for a hutch, there is also no space for floor time. How can I give them exercise outdoors when it is too cold for them? Any ideas?

Thanks!
 
Pigson and Teddy have time with me on the sofa, I just stick my leg along the edge so they don't fall off, and put double fleece blankets on the sofa. It is not much space, but it is out their cage, and they can explore.
 
Treacle said:
Pigson and Teddy have time with me on the sofa, I just stick my leg along the edge so they don't fall off, and put double fleece blankets on the sofa. It is not much space, but it is out their cage, and they can explore.
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I do the same; either putting lap pads/towels on the sofa or my bed for them to explore
 
Well I don't really want to get piggy hair and hay all over my lounge, there's enough of that on the patio! :)) I do have a garage I could use though. The garage is just used to store stuff, never for cars. I can line the floor with newspaper and let them have a run around. My only concern is it can get a little damp there, but if it's only for about an hour a day, do you think that would be okay? Their hutch is perfectly warm and dry so they would live in dry conditions the rest of the time.

It tends to be about 5 ish degrees Celsius during mid winter. Definitely too cold for a piggy to be outside in a run. It is currently in a Summer-Autumn transition, so the hottest daily temperature around this time is 18 degrees.
 
I think the garage sounds good! You could put a fleece down, that would be a bit warmer for their paws! With some tunnels, a hay bag and some other bits they will have a great time! I would give them a couple of hours if they seem happy!
 
I think it's a plan, then!

At the moment I can still get away with putting them on the lawn at around midday to afternoon because it is about 18 degrees and sunny. Of course they always have the option to go in the shade, but the sun still makes it warmer.
 
Ruby Inferno said:
Well I don't really want to get piggy hair and hay all over my lounge, there's enough of that on the patio! :)) I do have a garage I could use though. The garage is just used to store stuff, never for cars. I can line the floor with newspaper and let them have a run around. My only concern is it can get a little damp there, but if it's only for about an hour a day, do you think that would be okay? Their hutch is perfectly warm and dry so they would live in dry conditions the rest of the time.

It tends to be about 5 ish degrees Celsius during mid winter. Definitely too cold for a piggy to be outside in a run. It is currently in a Summer-Autumn transition, so the hottest daily temperature around this time is 18 degrees.
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My 2 actually live in the garage in a pen, they have puppy pads and blankets on the floor for warmth :)

 
I think a 2x4 counts as a run I'm not sure but if they can do laps in it then it's most probably big enough
 
Well Caramel does laps around his hutch when he is excited, and that's just under 2x4ft.
 
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