Indoors Or Outdoors?

[Sarah1989]

Hi there, I've currently got my one male guinea pig indoors in a bedroom in my house in a guinea pig cage. I let him out in his run outdoors when it isn't wet. But I want to know if I'm caring for him in the right way? Any advice would be great. Thank you x

 

[Flutterby]

Welcome to the forum! There is nothing wrong with having a piggy living indoors and having outdoor time A lot of people keep their piggies indoors and do the same. As for other aspects of care I can't comment without you giving us more details i.e what you feed him, what size his cage is etc. There is a lot of information on the forum to help

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

Which country are you in and how old is your boy? Hove you had him for long? Your options depend largely on the climate and ideally on access to a good rescue, too. Please click on your name on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location, so we can always give you advice and recommendations that are appropriate for your part of the world. We have members from all over the globe on this forum.

Many of us are keeping our piggies indoors with access to the lawn in summer. I am one of them. If you are in Britain like me, please make sure that you keep the heat down as much as possible at the moment and make sure that the run provides plenty of shade. In winter, you would need to provide extra insulation or bring your guinea pig inside anyway.

What you can improve is company of the same species for round the clock stimulation and improved wellbeing/health. Guinea pigs are group animals and not wired to be on their own. Depending on his age and any access to a good standard rescue or a piggy savvy vet with experience in neutering, you can consider to let him choose a mate at one of our recommended rescues under expert supervision at a good rescue. This minimises all risks for you and him as you will only come home with a new friend if there has been success.
Neutering is an option if you would rather consider a sow as a companion in the long term; unlike with rabbits, it doesn't change boar behaviour. In that case, you will have to factor in a full 6 weeks post-op wait after the op and the need to find the right vet to minimise any risks of complications. Cross gender bondings (once initial acceptance has happened, ideally at a rescue again) are the most stable.
Please take your time to research your options, including any changes to housing. But you will find that two guinea pigs will provide you with double the fun as it is their lively, vocal interaction that makes them so unique and endearing!
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-companionship.37654/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boars-sows-or-mixed-pairs-babies-or-adults.108944/

 

[*kate*]

I too keep mine indoors and they go out for lawn time everyday in this weather

 

[Sarah1989]

What size of cage would be suitable for 2 guineas? We did actually get him neutered about 6 months ago thinking we was gunna keep him outside but give him a girl friend (he had to be separated from another male guinea pig - my niece had the other one). But we decided to bring him inside and be able to give him one to one with us in the house. The one thing I'm a little concerned about is how warm it can get upstairs which is where he is. We haven't had any heating on during the past couple of months because of how nice the weather has been. I just wanna make sure I'm doing the right thing

 

[Maisy and Poppy]

Hiya, The RSPCA recommend at least an 120cm long cage for 2 guinea pigs but I would say that is the minimum as guinea pigs love the largest cage possible. In spring/summer I would buy a hutch from the hutch man with a run underneath and a hutch cover (Scratch and Newton ones are best) that will keep
the hutch cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather. As soon as it starts getting below 15 degrees at night the RSPCA recommend bringing them inside. I recommend the Little Friends double storey corner cage. For bedding I recommend fleece with corner litter trays with tumblefresh in. The best benefit of tumblefresh is that it won't smell when your guinea pigs have pooed and weed inside the litter tray. Try putting a hayrack with readigrass in because that might encourage them to use the tray. I would try to find your piggie a friend as soon as possible as guinea pigs are social animals and get sad without a friend.
Hope this is helpful!