How To Convince My Parents To Bring My Piggies Inside?

[PiggyPack]

Hi, I have two guinea pigs, a neutered male and a female, for years now we've had any guinea pigs we've owned kept outside in the summer in a large outdoor cage and in our garage in the winter. But I've noticed how each time they go in to the garage for winter and then come back out in the summer, how less tame they become.

I'd really like to have them inside, in a c&c cage with fleece bedding, I think it'll be really beneficial for them and I'm sure they'll feel less neglected.

However my parents are totally against even bringing guinea pigs inside for simple things such as floor time or petting, I've actually had to sneak them in! So I have no idea how I'm supposed to convince them to have guinea pigs indoors!

 

[DM030619]

You should just say that they are starting to become less tamed. I do not really have anything better to say.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Why are they becoming less tame? Is it because you aren't going out and spending time with them as much? If that's the case you could try to argue it but your parents are likely to tell you to go out to them. My piggies don't become less tame over the winter and they live outdoors but I still go and spend time with them everyday and handle them just as regularly

 

[Eriathwen]

Unfortunately if theyre not open to them coming in for small things like petting and floor time its going to be quite hard convincing them to let them live indoors! Have you asked what their reasons are? Maybe thats something you could address once you know what it is that concerns them.

My 5 boars used to live outside all weather when I was a kid..I went out in snow, wind, rain, kind of sucked the fun out of things a bit but the boys smelled stronger, especially when around the 11 girlies who lived inside, so that was the compromise. There might be some way you could find a middle ground with your parents. Maybe you could make alterations to the garage for them so its warmer, less of a chore to go out to them in rubbish weather etc?

 

[Betsy]

I have outside piggies all year round like @Lady Kelly. I still spend as much time with them in the winter as in the summer. If they are in a garage could you put a chair in there for cuddle time? Then you could give them cuddle/lap time. Even if only for a few minutes every day it is better than nothing. Mine all adore cuddle time although some aren't so keen on the picking up bit. I would miss it if I didn't give them lots of attention every day and I think they would too.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

It's not easy, I don't really know what to suggest. My piggies are indoors and I can't even begin to explain what joys they are to have in with us. They're much easier to look after and you don't have to worry about them as much.

My pigs are tame as anything, especially Bella who's always begging to come out for a cuddle. You get to see them all the time and see all their little habits that you probably miss when they're outside.

I find it's easier as you don't have to worry about regulating temperature either (between 17-24 degrees celcius).

You could always ask them to look through the forum at the many people who do keep them indoors