Skinny pigs outside

ThatPurpleB

ThatPurpleB

Junior Guinea Pig
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As the weather warms up we spend more time outside in our garden. In summer we spend all day out there and only come in for sleep and the toilet.

I'm in 2 minds about whether to take the skinny pigs out with us.

They're very confident and inquisitive so would enjoy the change of scenery. I have a place I can purposely grow them their own grass patch with a run over and anything else they need like water, hides and shade from the sun.

But I'm scared of them getting cold or otherwise hurt or ill from being outside.

If you own skinny pigs do you take them outside? How long for? How do you know its warm enough? Any other advice?

Thanks.
 
Well if you can go outside in a bikini then it would be warm enough for them technically, but you are used to outside weather and they are not used to temperatures that constantly change. I would err on the side of caution because of this, as the weather would need constant watching as it’s so changeable. They would be very susceptible to sun, winds, and rain so perhaps only for 10-20 minutes on a very nice day with some shade. Other owners may think not at all. I do let my piggies out most day in their run in summer as I do think there are benefits to lawn time and fresh air but mine are the furry variety x
 
Bill & Ted said:
Well if you can go outside in a bikini then it would be warm enough for them technically, but you are used to outside weather and they are not used to temperatures that constantly change. I would ee on the side of caution because of this as the weather would need constant watching as it’s so changeable. They would be very susceptible to sun, winds, and rain so perhaps only for 10-20 minutes on a very nice day with some shade. Others owners may think not at all. I do let my piggies out most day in their run in summer as I do think there are benefits to law time and fresh air x
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I'm from up North, if there's not snow on the ground its bikini weather! 😂

I live in Sheffield now it is very windy!
 
Welcome to the forum. Our skinny pigs only go outside only when it is at least 18 degrees C and the ground / grass must be dry (if it's cold or damp on my feet they don't go out). They must also be shaded from the sun as they get sunburn very easily. We cover any areas of their run which are in the sun with an old blanket and they also have hideys. Usually it is late April before it is warm/dry enough (although it was earlier last year as we had a very hot April).

Hope this helps, do feel free to ask any other questions you may have.
 
YvonneBlue said:
Welcome to the forum. Our skinny pigs only go outside only when it is at least 18 degrees C and the ground / grass must be dry (if it's cold or damp on my feet they don't go out). They must also be shaded from the sun as they get sunburn very easily. We cover any areas of their run which are in the sun with an old blanket and they also have hideys. Usually it is late April before it is warm/dry enough (although it was earlier last year as we had a very hot April).

Hope this helps, do feel free to ask any other questions you may have.
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Thanks this is super helpful!
 
YvonneBlue said:
Welcome to the forum. Our skinny pigs only go outside only when it is at least 18 degrees C and the ground / grass must be dry (if it's cold or damp on my feet they don't go out). They must also be shaded from the sun as they get sunburn very easily. We cover any areas of their run which are in the sun with an old blanket and they also have hideys. Usually it is late April before it is warm/dry enough (although it was earlier last year as we had a very hot April).

Hope this helps, do feel free to ask any other questions you may have.
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I do the same with my skinnies!
 
Decided against a run on the grass.

Feel like they're a bit too vulnerable in a run. Plus we're getting rid of all the grass in the garden so would have to keep a patch just for the few days the UK weather is good enough for them to be out. We're turning our garden into planting beds for veggies! With some small flower beds round the patio to make a nice social area.

They just feel so vulnerable, I'd worry about them. Did debate a hutch on the patio, not for them to live in, just for them to come out for a couple of hours with us in appropriate weather. They'd be more enclosed and safer but I'm not sure what benefit it would be for them. It'd be for my benefit just to see them while I'm out there.
 
ThatPurpleB said:
Decided against a run on the grass.

Feel like they're a bit too vulnerable in a run. Plus we're getting rid of all the grass in the garden so would have to keep a patch just for the few days the UK weather is good enough for them to be out. We're turning our garden into planting beds for veggies! With some small flower beds round the patio to make a nice social area.

They just feel so vulnerable, I'd worry about them. Did debate a hutch on the patio, not for them to live in, just for them to come out for a couple of hours with us in appropriate weather. They'd be more enclosed and safer but I'm not sure what benefit it would be for them. It'd be for my benefit just to see them while I'm out there.
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I’m sure they will appreciate the veg patch 😆
 
Siikibam said:
I’m sure they will appreciate the veg patch 😆
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Yeah. The flowery social area is mine, the rest of the garden (which makes up most of the back garden) is for veggies and is my partners area. He's aiming to make us largely self sufficient for food and was asking what the piggies eat! They do prefer veg from the market over supermarket so I'm sure will demolish home grown veggies.
 
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