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Small pets

Is it ok to put guinea pigs out in a run on wet grass??

9 replies

runningLou · 29/04/2016 13:53

Our guinea pigs are in an outdoor hutch (in a sheltered corner). We also have an outdoor run with a covered section which I try and get them out into for a run around every day. We've only had them a few weeks and recently the grass has stayed wet all day - is it still ok to put them out? If not, how is it best to give them exercise?

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 29/04/2016 14:17

They aren't meant to, their bellies are low slung and not as protected as rabbits.
But if the grass is damp and the ground isn't chilled, I've put our lardy adults out with a towel on a cardboard base (so they can sit comfy but still eat) if I want to clean the Pighouse without them getting underfoot.

They usually glare judgily and yell to go inside though Hmm

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runningLou · 29/04/2016 14:23

Yes that's what I was wondering, about their tubby bellies getting wet! Given that wet grass rules out a lot of days in the year round here, what's the best way to make sure they get exercise?!

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Goingtobeawesome · 29/04/2016 14:26

Mine are inside still as cold and this worries me too as they are quite fat. They have an indoor play pen but pee all over the floor so don't go in it all day every day.

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ChubbyPolecat · 29/04/2016 14:30

We had a guinea pig catch pneumonia and die when we put him out when it was too cold / wet for him (we thought it was fine it was raining or anything silly just a crisp spring day)

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megletthesecond · 29/04/2016 14:30

Could you put some layers of thick card down at one end so they can sit on that grumbling and ignore the grass because piggies are spoilt sit on it when they've had enough?

Tbh I've always had outdoor runs with a proper hutch attached so they can keep cosy. It's worth it for their fresh air and your peace of mind on a chilly of wet day.

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runningLou · 29/04/2016 14:36

Oh no ChubbyPolecat DD would be devastated if that happened. I think I might pop a litter tray/plastic box with some hay in into the outdoor run for them (they're in the hutch at the moment but will pop them out for a bit when I get back in from work). Though as you say meglet they will blatantly just ignore the grass and huddle in the tray!

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NattyGolfJerkin · 29/04/2016 14:39

Yep, I love this concept of 'exercise'. Mine just get themselves comfy and chow down. Very little actual movement occurs.

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EastMidsGPs · 29/04/2016 18:15

The only bits of mine that get exercise are their jaws, bowels and bladders Grin
Sadie did have her mad moments of racing round and round but she's now on the plump side and is as bone idle as Mollie now sigh

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987flowers · 30/04/2016 14:00

We've got a small out door hutch (box would be a better description!) Which goes in a large run

m.ebay.co.uk/itm/272222096941

It took them a while to realise they could go in and out but now they do and the other day when I'd left them out and it tipped it down whilst I was out they were nice and cost until I returned them to their main hutch!

Today they are out and they go between being in the box and eating hay to going out and chomping on the grass. Another bonus is that it keeps their main hutch cleaner and the box is a doddle to clean out!

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