When to go outside?

[The Law Pigs]

Hi I’m wondering when is a good time to move guinea pigs outside! My guinea pigs are inside from October-ish. This is joey and chandlers first winter and I’m a first time guinea pig owner so I’m wondering what month is a good time to move them back outside after being in for the winter? June?

Please give me some advise because I don’t want them going outside and being cold.

P.s I live in Scotland so it is quite cold and rains very often!

 

[Deleted member 139433]

I can’t advise as my piggies live indoors, but had to say how much I love the names of your piggies!

 

[The Law Pigs]

Thank you I love friends!

 

[Piggies&buns]

They can’t go back out until the night times are warm again - usually around april/may but if you are in a cold area, then a bit later might be best.

 

[Deleted member 139433]

Thank you I love friends!

Me too. I loved going to Friends Fest a couple of years ago. Need to book it for next year

 

[The Law Pigs]

They can’t go back out until the night times are warm again - usually around april/may but if you are in a cold area, then a bit later might be best.

Thank you will I need to get a hot water bottle or something?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you will I need to get a hot water bottle or something?

if it’s warm enough - ie over 15 degrees, then no they won’t need any extra warmth other than some good bedding. A safe microwaveable heat pad called a snugglesafe can be used to provide a warm spot for them to sit but if they are only going to be outside in summer then they shouldn’t need one.

 

[The Law Pigs]

if it’s warm enough - ie over 15 degrees, then no they won’t need any extra warmth other than some good bedding. A safe microwaveable heat pad called a snugglesafe can be used to provide a warm spot for them to sit but if they are only going to be outside in summer then they shouldn’t need one.

Thank you x

 

[The Law Pigs]

Me too. I loved going to Friends Fest a couple of years ago. Need to book it for next year

I would love to go to one of them!
P.s your guinea pigs are adorable

 

[The Law Pigs]

They can’t go back out until the night times are warm again - usually around april/may but if you are in a cold area, then a bit later might be best.

Okay thank you

 

[Swissgreys]

I shouldn't worry too much.
Our piggies were also destined to eventually go outside, but after a few months of having them indoors we realised there was no way we could put them outside, so they never made it there.
Five years later and they are still inside.

 

[The Law Pigs]

I can’t advise as my piggies live indoors, but had to say how much I love the names of your piggies!

Hi just a quick question for future reference. Do guinea pigs smell bad if they are kept inside all the time? And also if you have any other pets like a dog or a cat are they bothered with your guinea pigs. My dog sniffs around but his bark is quite loud so maybe that may effect them!

 

[The Law Pigs]

I shouldn't worry too much.
Our piggies were also destined to eventually go outside, but after a few months of having them indoors we realised there was no way we could put them outside, so they never made it there.
Five years later and they are still inside.

That’s great I wish I could do that but due to having a dog both my dog and the guinea pigs occasionally get stressed in each other’s presence

 

[Siikibam]

Are you not able to keep the dog away from the guinea pigs? It’s more likely they’re stressed by it and not the other way round.

 

[Deleted member 139433]

Hi just a quick question for future reference. Do guinea pigs smell bad if they are kept inside all the time? And also if you have any other pets like a dog or a cat are they bothered with your guinea pigs. My dog sniffs around but his bark is quite loud so maybe that may effect them!

They don’t smell bad at all, but they have very large cages and are on fleece and bath mat bedding that is very regularly changed. I remove any wet hay and droppings 2-3 times a day (as wet hay can smell), so no smell at all from my piggies.
I have a Husky dog, they really don’t mind any barking or noise (he tends not to bark anyway, being a Husky). It’s his prey drive that’s the problem, so the Piggies are secure in a room of their own behind two locked doors and the dog never enters that area.

 

[Piggies&buns]

My piggies live in my shed but they move in the house during the summer due to it being too hot for them to stay out (I can keep their shed warm in winter but keeping it cool is another matter!). They are poop picked several times a day, wet hay removed etc and they certainly don’t smell.

 

[Hath]

I have multi pet household and all is OK, obviously wouldn't leave pigs roaming around... They're all currently in my spare room and dog doesn't go there. Cats are different matter, which is why my C&C has a lid. They're OK with cats sleeping on top of their cages or dog barking. Pigs are strange creatures, not scared of hoover or dog barking , but if you move suddenly they're all running away
They can smell if kept on wrong type of bedding or not cleaned enough. I sweep them twice a day and no problems. I used to have problem with my original pair and spent £20 on carefresh a week without any improvement. When I changed the bedding the smell improved drastically. Obviously, all depends on how big the cage is as well...

Either way, it's too dangerous to put them out before late spring/early summer (warm weather) . They're not used to the cold and even if you did put snugglesafe pads and cage covers it wouldn't be enough. I have a heated piggie shed and they had to move indoors as it was full time job keeping them warm. I am planning on moving one pair back for the summer as they get more room in the shed and prefer it. But will wait until night temps hold between 10-15°C. Will see if they want to move

You'll find lots of people telling you that's how pigs used to be kept back in a day. Well, I don't remember anyone's pig living longer than couple of years. Thanks goodness we've moved from such sub-standard. Especially since it must be cooold in Scotland!