Do guinea pigs dig?

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lovepiggies

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Hi

I have two beautiful boys who live inside, but for the summer I was going to get a cage outside so that they can be out during the day (I wouldn't leave them unsupervised or out all night, I have foxes in the garden). I have a large cage with a run built on the bottom so they can go in and out when they like. But I am worried they will dig there way if I am not watching constantly.

Thanks
 
i have owned 20 guinea pigs in the past and can say that generally they aren't diggers however one of our current bunch rocky is a digger but i think its more of a learned behaviour (we also own rabbits) you should never let them play totally unsupervised in a run anyway :)
 
Piggies are not digging out of a run, but it would not be a bad idea to secure the run to the ground against cats, dogs and foxes if you can get hols of tent hooks. Always protect the top against birds of prey, too.

If you leave piggies outside for any length of time, always provide some ground shelter against sun, wind and weather, ideally with some hay in it too. make sure that any ramps are secure to use and have rails to keep a popcorning piggy from falling off them.
 
To be honest, I would be more worried about something digging in. Especially if you have foxes in your garden.

Could you just pop them on the grass when you are around so they are supervised?

Then maybe back onto a patio or concrete with some picked grass to keep them occupied?
 
I don't think they are diggers, but I have seen them merrily scraping away the top layer of bedding and then nothing further. Maybe they were hoping to find some extra food under there lol, but yeah they won't dig to get out of anywhere. At least I have never observed that behaviour.
 
They more root than dig - mine are constantly digging around in their bedding, but I do have a habit of hiding treats cos I'm a mean mum.

If you're not leaving them unsupervised they certainly won't dig out. I don't leave mine unsupervised at all in the garden as I've frequently seen foxes during the day at this time of year when they are raising cubs. It would be psiible to fox proof with sturdy mesh under the turf at least 2 foot out from the run edges, but I think a fox trying to dig in would be very scary.

One of the reasons I keep piggies is that it makes me go out in the garden when it's fine :)

Paula
 
Thanks for your answers I certainly will not leave them unattended but I know how fast they can be. I will put them out with a bit more confidence now and they will have a hutch that they can go into if they need to and won't be left out on their own.
 
i used to have a run without a bottom on it that i had on the grass and my guinea pigs never got out of it :)

although there may be the odd piggie that trys to dig their way out... id keep close eye on yours at the start and watch their behaviour to see if they try dig their way out.. but i would be surprised if they do :)
 
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