Urgent Quick Question About Rehoming...

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lady_chilli

lady_chilli

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Hi there,

So I had someone call today interested in rehoming the pigs, he was a doctor & had three children and the home sounded fantastic only there is one problem.. my pigs have been kept inside from birth to 10 months and he wants to house them outside? Can this be done? He said he has the proper thermal blanket for the hutch etc and a big run?
The last thing I want is for my pigs to die from the cold? Advice is much appreciated
 
I can tell you what was expected of me when I was interested in two guineapigs from a foster home.

I had to supply photos of the proposed housing arrangements.

I had to explain why I wanted the guinea pigs and what knowledge I had of their needs and care

I was told the guineapigs (both 4 year olds) had been used to living indoors.

Therefore I knew I would have to house them indoors and the foster carer had evidence of the housing for her two guineapigs.

I also keep in touch with Barbara so if I have problems she is there to support me. As she has a vast experience in dealing with guineapigs.

It sounds as though the person interested has some knowledge but is it enough to guarantee the guinea pigs will receive the correct care?

I am sure someone else on the forum will give you much more detailed advice - but I know what I'd be asking and expecting IF I ever had to seek a new home for my lads.

I do hope everything goes well and that I am just being over cautious.
 
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Its the wrong time of year to move piggies outdoors in most cases so I agree with @piggyfan , as the weather starts to warm up again its alright to move them IMHO.

There are some cases where an outdoor hutch isnt much different to a house temp wise, thats the case in my house the room the pigs are in (north facing with a window that doesnt close properly) and the hutch outside (south facing, very sheltered with perspex on the big mesh door) are actually currently the same temp within a degree or so, my pigs are still outdoors but they have 3 snugglesafes, the sun all day and a custom sewn hutch cover they're actually warmer than I keep the house! I have a datalogger running 24/7 so I know what the air temp is in the hutch in 2 locations, the actual temp at pig level is usually higher than this too. A case where the temps are very similar isnt likely to happen in most cases though.
 
lady_chilli said:
Hi there,

So I had someone call today interested in rehoming the pigs, he was a doctor & had three children and the home sounded fantastic only there is one problem.. my pigs have been kept inside from birth to 10 months and he wants to house them outside? Can this be done? He said he has the proper thermal blanket for the hutch etc and a big run?
The last thing I want is for my pigs to die from the cold? Advice is much appreciated
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Yes, that is fine, Leo was 9 months old when I purchased him and mine live outside all day and all night and they absolutely love it, if they have the proper stuff it should be all fine :nod: Why are you selling them?
Also, don't worry about them getting cold, because they tend to snuggle together and remember they have fur, so that keeps them warmer:)
If they say they say they have a thermal blanket that should be fine:)
 
I would go, speak to them and have a look at their set-up (if necessary with thermometer); rescues call it home check. Some outdoors hutches with proper insulation and hay are actually as toasty as an inside room, but you want to make sure of that because it is not an ideal time to move indoors piggies outside unless they are properly provided for.
 
Rehoming to an outside home is not a problem for indoor piggies as long as it is done carefully and thoughtfully. Large, rapid changes in temperature can cause them health problems so they would need to gradually acclimatise to outdoor living. Ideally it would be better to wait til the weather is warming up before introducing them to the outdoors more permanently especially as we are approaching the colder months. Some pet shops even will not sell small animals to live outside at this time of year so that is a good indicator that those already living indoor should continue to do so until spring.

At the end of the day it is up to you as they are your piggies to rehome as you see fit. Going to visit might set your mind at ease about things but also give plenty advice about indoor/outdoor accommodation, health and gradual acclimatisation. maybe a compromise of the hutch being kept in a shed or unused garage might make things better?
 
Guinea pigs can live outside as long as the weather is warmer overnight. I definitely would not place them outside in any kind of wintery conditions, even with a blanket. I think indoor guinea pigs will adapt to outside, but only in short time periods, as you let them get used to it over a few weeks and check they can find their water and eat the grass. I wouldn't recommend taking indoor guinea pigs and suddenly placing them outdoors for days.

One other aspect of having guinea pigs outdoors is that just as much cleaning and maintenance is needed as indoors. Guinea pigs can pick up more pests outdoors, so need to be checked regularly for fleas, have cages hosed out often, bedding changed etc. Also, as mentioned, colder nights will have bad effects on guinea pigs, ageing them prematurely and making them scruffy and less cuddly, as well as potentially making them less domesticated (depending on how they are handled). Best scenario is for the new home to introduce them outside for a little while here and there, then aim to have guinea pigs out during the day and indoors at night. That seems to work best for the long term health of the piggies.
 
Snu210 said:
Guinea pigs can live outside as long as the weather is warmer overnight. I definitely would not place them outside in any kind of wintery conditions, even with a blanket. I think indoor guinea pigs will adapt to outside, but only in short time periods, as you let them get used to it over a few weeks and check they can find their water and eat the grass. I wouldn't recommend taking indoor guinea pigs and suddenly placing them outdoors for days.

One other aspect of having guinea pigs outdoors is that just as much cleaning and maintenance is needed as indoors. Guinea pigs can pick up more pests outdoors, so need to be checked regularly for fleas, have cages hosed out often, bedding changed etc. Also, as mentioned, colder nights will have bad effects on guinea pigs, ageing them prematurely and making them scruffy and less cuddly, as well as potentially making them less domesticated (depending on how they are handled). Best scenario is for the new home to introduce them outside for a little while here and there, then aim to have guinea pigs out during the day and indoors at night. That seems to work best for the long term health of the piggies.
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Good statement, although I disagree. My guinea pigs (in Oz like you) live in their 2-storey hutch 24/7 in winter and they love it! It is actually proven that guinea pigs' live longer with the outside fresh air, as well as they have higher health/happiness levels. Also, they won't get cold because, remember they have fur + body heat + snuggling up together + a blanket or 2 + a hearty dinner. Guinea pigs, although domesticated, originally come from the wild, so they are made to be outside. Personally, I think keeping them inside is more expensive, a bit cruel, and so much harder than having them outside at night. I just want to add - UNLESS THE WEATHER IS TERRIBLE! I would never leave my piggies in a storm/damaging winds, torrential rain, cyclone, floods, cold, etc.

However, if you live in the UK, like most people on this forum, definitely keep them inside for winter, as Snu210 mentioned. (Apologies, got a bit carried away as to thinking about GPs living in Australia) :)
 
MerryPip said:
Rehoming to an outside home is not a problem for indoor piggies as long as it is done carefully and thoughtfully. Large, rapid changes in temperature can cause them health problems so they would need to gradually acclimatise to outdoor living. Ideally it would be better to wait til the weather is warming up before introducing them to the outdoors more permanently especially as we are approaching the colder months. Some pet shops even will not sell small animals to live outside at this time of year so that is a good indicator that those already living indoor should continue to do so until spring.

At the end of the day it is up to you as they are your piggies to rehome as you see fit. Going to visit might set your mind at ease about things but also give plenty advice about indoor/outdoor accommodation, health and gradual acclimatisation. maybe a compromise of the hutch being kept in a shed or unused garage might make things better?
Click to expand...

I'm bumping this reply because some other posters seem to be missing the point about this particular situation which, as Merry Pip says, is all about acclimatisation.

These piggies are 10months old and have lived indoors all their lives so are just entering a second "winter" season at indoor temperatures. i.e. they are not hardy.

If they were my pigs, I would not house them outdoors until all chance of low night-time temperatures/frost has passed - which would normally be by about mid-May. This is because it is not the cold per se that is dangerous, it is sudden large changes in temperature they would have to adjust to - guinea pigs do not have winter and summer coats like rabbits. Thermal/environmental shock caused by a sudden change in temperature of +/- 10deg C - albeit from hot to cold or cold to hot, plus wet/dry changes or exposure to winds - will seriously weaken their immune system leading to mites and other skin problems and more importantly a fatal URI if the signs are not spotted quickly enough.
Once outside during the summer they will acclimatise as the weather gradually gets colder - but as with any piggie they will still need to be protected against sudden frosts/big temperature drops starting mid-October with snugglesafes/extra hay and thermal coverings.

HTH
x

PS Don't wish to worry you but a close relative of mine is a doctor with 3 young kids, a lovely home and quite a few animals including rabbits. I ended up taking in their kids piggies because unfortunately mum and dad - both doctors with heavy workloads/on-call rotas - did not have time to look after them properly and, compared to their expensive Burmese cats, the rabbits and pigs were "not that important".
 
I agree with pebble. If they were mine i really wouldnt risk an indoor piggie going outdoors at this time of year. It really needs to be in warmer weather such as May/June. Sorry x
 
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