Peeing And Staying Outside During Winter

[Piggy996]

Hello, my Piggy is 2months old (and he's single for now, hopefully we'll get him a companion soon). Since we live in a building, unfortunately we can't take him outside but we give him some floor time on balcony where he runs around and hides. His cage is also on the balcony and there weren't any problems, but since the autumn and winter are coming I'm worried how will he handle it all. Since he pees quite often and after some time it starts to smell, my family don't want to bring his cage inside for a long time As I said, he's on the balcony now and during the winter we can close all of the windows and make a small room out of it. Do you think it'll be okay for him to stay there during the winter? Of course, I would put towels and blankets around him. Also, do you have any advice how to teach him to pee inside his toilet? We put his water bottle next to the toilet in the cage and he used to stand there while drinking, so he often also peed and pooed there, but recently he stopped doing it...

 

[Betsy]

You will need more than a cage if you are going to keep him on the balcony for the winter. I keep my piggies outside but @Mother Hubbard is more knowledgeable that I am. Also a lot of members keep their piggies inside @rome_italy is one that I can think of off the top of my head who is good for advice on how to keep them smell free inside.

 

[rome_italy]

I have no smell into my living room where my piggies live... as a bedding I use fleece+newspapers underneath, I remove the wet paper once a day when the piggies have their floor time into the kitchen, where they spend half day (they don't nibble anything and I can leave them free all day long... I only need to close part of the kitchen using two wooden fences (foldable).
Maybe you have a balcony closed with some windows, here many families have such windows and the temperature in that closed balcony seems to be quite comfortable even in winter months. But I live in Rome where temperatures are always quite fine. Last winter, though, my mother in law, who also has a closed balcony where she has some cactus, found all the cactus dead when we had very low temperatures. I imagine a piggie or a pet would have died as well...
You have no choice, I see, because your family does not want the piggies into the flat... I cannot give you any advice for the outdoor cage, I have no experience and I don't even know anybody who keeps piggies/rabbits outside... I don't even know if it is allowed. Rescues don't give piggies if at their visit at home they see the cage outside...
But a closed balcony sounds different... it is part of the flat... you might consider an electric heating which is on only when it is necessary and it keeps the temperature comfortable.
something like this one:

 

[Piggy996]

I have no smell into my living room where my piggies live... as a bedding I use fleece+newspapers underneath, I remove the wet paper once a day when the piggies have their floor time into the kitchen, where they spend half day (they don't nibble anything and I can leave them free all day long... I only need to close part of the kitchen using two wooden fences (foldable).
Maybe you have a balcony closed with some windows, here many families have such windows and the temperature in that closed balcony seems to be quite comfortable even in winter months. But I live in Rome where temperatures are always quite fine. Last winter, though, my mother in law, who also has a closed balcony where she has some cactus, found all the cactus dead when we had very low temperatures. I imagine a piggie or a pet would have died as well...
You have no choice, I see, because your family does not want the piggies into the flat... I cannot give you any advice for the outdoor cage, I have no experience and I don't even know anybody who keeps piggies/rabbits outside... I don't even know if it is allowed. Rescues don't give piggies if at their visit at home they see the cage outside...
But a closed balcony sounds different... it is part of the flat... you might consider an electric heating which is on only when it is necessary and it keeps the temperature comfortable.
something like this one:
View attachment 70678

I use sawdust (I'm not sure if that's the word?) as a bedding, I think it's not really economic to use but for now I couldn't find anything better. Yes, the balcony is all covered in windows and we can close all of them so it's warmer than outside. Also, I live in Montenegro (I hope you know about it) in a Mediterranean town, so the climate is good For now, we bring his cage inside during the night, but as I said my father isn't very keen of it because he says the smell is too strong (I know he's overreacting, but what can I do)
Anyways, thank you for your reply

 

[gizzy]

If you're pigs cage is on an exposed balcony be carfull he isn't exposed to sudden cold winds and drafts


Guinea Pig Cage Location Matters

Guinea pigs age susetable to drafts

His cage is also on the balcony and there weren't any problems, but since the autumn and winter are coming I'm worried how will he handle it all. Since he pees quite often and after some time it starts to smell, my family don't want to bring his cage inside for a long time

 

[rome_italy]

I don't spend a single penny for the bedding!
I say the truth when I say that there is no smell, but sometimes family members simply don't like pets indoor... it is not for the smell.
Anyway, I want to share also with you the pics of the way I have arranged the cage; maybe it can be useful for some good idea.

I built the cage using the correx as a basis (it is a plastic easy to fold, i bought it in those Brico shops). Into this basis I put different layers of materials:
1st layer is made of old towels which remain dry and clean; they work for getting a softer and more comfortable floor

on the towels I put the paper. You can use newspapers, but I use supermarkets leaflets because I get ton of them here in my building

on the layer of paper you put the fleece. The fleece is a simple piece of fabric. Before using it you have to wash it 2-3 times in very warm water without any softener. The fleece is ready when the water passes through it and can be absorbed by the underneath layer (which can be a puppy pad or a newspaper). The fleece remains dry (I have a piece of a lovely fleece which does not work at all... I cannot use it because it remains wet unfortunately).

Once a day (possibly) you need to remove this fleece with all the leftover, poo and dirty hay (look above). You shake this fleece on the floor and the with the broom you throw everything into the bin.

I put the fleece outside the balcony for some cool air, if the weather is good...

In the meantime the piggies are having their floor time into the kitchen which I have arranged for them in a simple way... using recycled and old objects (boxes, yoga mats, a box for the hay, etc)



Then I remove only the 2-3 leaflets which have some wet spot. And I check also the quality of the wee... the paper shows calcium residuals, colour, etc. If I had a doubt I would take this paper to the vet...

I put some new leaflets and then the fleece again, which I wash maybe twice a week, but believe me, it is only for changing the colour of the cage! the fleece does not smell (of course if you put your nose on it, well, you can feel some odour... ). A friend of mine came here, she does not like pets because in her opinion they smell and she said that there is no smell at all here... Consider that in summer I hardly ever open the windows! it is so hot that I always have air conditioning switched on.

You can use this method also in that closed balcony. I don't think the humidity is a problem and here in the building the lady who looks after the cats use the fleece also for the cats, who often sleep outside (and here we have 100% humidity in the night during winter; the cars and the roads are totally wet in the morning).
Check the temperature into the balcony, there are special (cheap) thermometers which record the min and max temperature. If you see that in the night temperature goes down, that heater which I suggested will be very useful and the electricity bill will not change so much because the heater is on only when the temperature goes down. The heater removes also the humidity.

 

[Mother Hubbard]

@Piggy996
I think we need to clarify something, is your piggy in a cage or a hutch?
What country are you in?
Do you use wood shavings?

 

[Piggy996]

I don't spend a single penny for the bedding!
I say the truth when I say that there is no smell, but sometimes family members simply don't like pets indoor... it is not for the smell.
Anyway, I want to share also with you the pics of the way I have arranged the cage; maybe it can be useful for some good idea.

I built the cage using the correx as a basis (it is a plastic easy to fold, i bought it in those Brico shops). Into this basis I put different layers of materials:
1st layer is made of old towels which remain dry and clean; they work for getting a softer and more comfortable floor
View attachment 70697
on the towels I put the paper. You can use newspapers, but I use supermarkets leaflets because I get ton of them here in my building
View attachment 70689
on the layer of paper you put the fleece. The fleece is a simple piece of fabric. Before using it you have to wash it 2-3 times in very warm water without any softener. The fleece is ready when the water passes through it and can be absorbed by the underneath layer (which can be a puppy pad or a newspaper). The fleece remains dry (I have a piece of a lovely fleece which does not work at all... I cannot use it because it remains wet unfortunately).
View attachment 70688
Once a day (possibly) you need to remove this fleece with all the leftover, poo and dirty hay (look above). You shake this fleece on the floor and the with the broom you throw everything into the bin.
View attachment 70690
I put the fleece outside the balcony for some cool air, if the weather is good...
View attachment 70691
In the meantime the piggies are having their floor time into the kitchen which I have arranged for them in a simple way... using recycled and old objects (boxes, yoga mats, a box for the hay, etc)
View attachment 70692
View attachment 70693

Then I remove only the 2-3 leaflets which have some wet spot. And I check also the quality of the wee... the paper shows calcium residuals, colour, etc. If I had a doubt I would take this paper to the vet...
View attachment 70703
I put some new leaflets and then the fleece again, which I wash maybe twice a week, but believe me, it is only for changing the colour of the cage! the fleece does not smell (of course if you put your nose on it, well, you can feel some odour... ). A friend of mine came here, she does not like pets because in her opinion they smell and she said that there is no smell at all here... Consider that in summer I hardly ever open the windows! it is so hot that I always have air conditioning switched on.
View attachment 70694
You can use this method also in that closed balcony. I don't think the humidity is a problem and here in the building the lady who looks after the cats use the fleece also for the cats, who often sleep outside (and here we have 100% humidity in the night during winter; the cars and the roads are totally wet in the morning).
Check the temperature into the balcony, there are special (cheap) thermometers which record the min and max temperature. If you see that in the night temperature goes down, that heater which I suggested will be very useful and the electricity bill will not change so much because the heater is on only when the temperature goes down. The heater removes also the humidity.

Thank you so so so so much for your detailed answer and explanation, I really appreciate it I'll try making a new cage very soon, hopefully it will be okay

 

[Piggy996]

@Piggy996
I think we need to clarify something, is your piggy in a cage or a hutch?
What country are you in?
Do you use wood shavings?

He's in a cage and yes, I use wood shaving as a bedding, but as I said, I think it's not very effective. I live in Montenegro, it's a small country in south-east of Europe

 

[rome_italy]

Thank you so so so so much for your detailed answer and explanation, I really appreciate it I'll try making a new cage very soon, hopefully it will be okay

It was a pleasure of course! and of course those ideas about bedding were not mine but come from this forum...
Your piggie is stunning, I have seen the pictures in another thread. About the vet, try just now to do a research online... for sure there is some exotic or some vet who is able to work with little pets. But you need to know where he works. He can also help a "general" local vet when some prescription is needed.
Anyway, it is you that will discover an illness... and you can help the vet in his work. I suggest you to read and to learn everything is written on Guinea Lynx website; it can make the difference and you can understand if the vet is doing right.
Maybe this website can help you:
Animavet - veterinarska ustanova | veterinar Podgorica
(or google: veterinari crna gora)

 

[Janice C]

I'm sure if you follow some of the suggestions on the forum life will be easier for you and the piggy! Could you try the newspaper and fleece option as I think sawdust or shavings sometimes give off a smell anyway which your parents may dislike! I use newspaper and fleece, changing sometimes twice a day and friends who visit say they never smell my boar who lives in the back room. I had friends here for lunch today in the same room and all agreed room fresh!
Also, even if they let you bring him in for the nighttime you will feel less worried about any cool weather during the night.
He's a great wee guy!

 

[Piggy996]

It was a pleasure of course! and of course those ideas about bedding were not mine but come from this forum...
Your piggie is stunning, I have seen the pictures in another thread. About the vet, try just now to do a research online... for sure there is some exotic or some vet who is able to work with little pets. But you need to know where he works. He can also help a "general" local vet when some prescription is needed.
Anyway, it is you that will discover an illness... and you can help the vet in his work. I suggest you to read and to learn everything is written on Guinea Lynx website; it can make the difference and you can understand if the vet is doing right.
Maybe this website can help you:
Animavet - veterinarska ustanova | veterinar Podgorica
(or google: veterinari crna gora)

I just came back from the vet, she said she also thinks he's got fungus and told me to just keep using the creme for the next month. Now I feel embarrassed because I was at the edge of tears the whole time while talking to her, but I'm very worried about him since today he didn't let me touch around his ear (I guess it started to hurt him) and I saw the fur behind his ear started to fall off (probably because of scratching)

 

[Piggy996]

I'm sure if you follow some of the suggestions on the forum life will be easier for you and the piggy! Could you try the newspaper and fleece option as I think sawdust or shavings sometimes give off a smell anyway which your parents may dislike! I use newspaper and fleece, changing sometimes twice a day and friends who visit say they never smell my boar who lives in the back room. I had friends here for lunch today in the same room and all agreed room fresh!
Also, even if they let you bring him in for the nighttime you will feel less worried about any cool weather during the night.
He's a great wee guy!

Yes, I'll try to make his new cage as soon as I can, right now I'm busy about treating his fungus I just need to find a good fleece which will let the liquid go through and I hope it'll be very easy to set up

 

[rome_italy]

but you have a medicine now... things will improve for sure. Maybe the fungus started at the shop or at the breeder... it is not your fault.
I am sure the treatment will work in few days.
Fleece: I went to a shop of fabrics, but you can find also at Ikea and online. The fleece which does not work is different, it looked cool for summer months, but it contain cotton fibres which remain wet

 

[Janice C]

Yes, I'll try to make his new cage as soon as I can, right now I'm busy about treating his fungus I just need to find a good fleece which will let the liquid go through and I hope it'll be very easy to set up

I use Vetfleece which I buy online. I buy it on a roll but I'm sure you can buy it in smaller amounts. This is different from some of the fleece bought in places such as Ikea as it's designed for animals and lets pee through to for example, the newspaper, enduring the piggies lie on a dry, cosy surface.
Good luck with his fungal treatment.x

 

[Piggy996]

I use Vetfleece which I buy online. I buy it on a roll but I'm sure you can buy it in smaller amounts. This is different from some of the fleece bought in places such as Ikea as it's designed for animals and lets pee through to for example, the newspaper, enduring the piggies lie on a dry, cosy surface.
Good luck with his fungal treatment.x

Thanks, how often do you buy new fleece? And also, could you tell me what's the difference between non-slip and greenback fleece? I found those 2 types on the internet and I'm not sure which one should I buy. I want to oreder just one for now, do you think it'll be okay for some time?

 

[Janice C]

Thanks, how often do you buy new fleece? And also, could you tell me what's the difference between non-slip and greenback fleece? I found those 2 types on the internet and I'm not sure which one should I buy. I want to oreder just one for now, do you think it'll be okay for some time?

I bought some Vetfleece recently but only because I've the 14 piggies now! The last time I bought it was over 2 years ago and it is washed every 2 o3 days so it's really a good buy. I've used the roll so that I can cut it to the shapes I need e.g., rounds for in their nests or rectangles for them running about. Search online under Vetfleece to check their prices.

 

[Janice C]

Photo of my fleece.

 

[Piggy996]

Photo of my fleece.

View attachment 70905

Thank you! I think I'll order one from vetfleece very soon

 

[Katiedid]

Green back fleece is able to be washed at higher temps - non slip has a rubber backing which melts ( as I found out).

 

[*kate*]

I have the green backed Vetbed fleece. Usually a bit more expensive but is virtually indestructible and lasts for years.