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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To move my Guinea Pigs outdoors?

29 replies

gordyslovesheep · 05/08/2012 17:19

We have 3 piggies - had them for 18months. They are well loved, well cared for family pets and be purchased a lovely shed for them to live in in their hutch ...only this past 2 months other things have moved into the shed.

Now I am not a wuss but I am not hugely keen on 8 legged beasts but I could cope with the one huge one under the lawn mower and the big garden variety one in the window - but now we have 3 more HUGE ones under the hutch

I have asked my ex to shift them but he took one look and said 'NO WAY'

now I clean the pigs twice a week but it's getting hairy doing it - I have to psych myself up and it hate being in the shed

so I am thinking of buying a newer hutch - freecycling the shed and putting them on the concrete where the shed once lived.

Am I being cruel? will they be okay

Do any of you have any other tips for spiders :( a part from Man the fuck up - I know I should but trust me - being near to them is a bloody miracle l of epic proportions as it is - 2 or 3 years ago I wouldn't have been brave enough to open the door.

OP posts:
Original poster
gordyslovesheep · 05/08/2012 17:20

oh and will they move into my house if I evict them (the spiders!)

OP posts:
JumpingThroughHoops · 05/08/2012 17:23

I used to breed and show cavys. You do run the risk of 'shock' at their age. They aren't spectacularly long lived pets - 3-5years. They don't thrive in wet either.

I would have them outside in the day, back inside at night.

Original poster
gordyslovesheep · 05/08/2012 17:27

I did think of that Jumping - but we have cats? I could keep them in the down stairs loo though - I worry it may be too much BUT if I did it now - and had a hutch hugger?

I welcome expert feedback!

OP posts:
Flojo1979 · 05/08/2012 17:28

I'm like u with spiders, I totally understand. Also about to get 3 piggies.
Get an indoor cage and keep them in your house. Simple solution.

JumpingThroughHoops · 05/08/2012 17:28

I have all manner of small rodents- the cat just stares at them, then eventually doesnt bother!

Flojo1979 · 05/08/2012 17:30

Having them outside in the day all day then inside might shock them too much, just keep them in and let them out in short spells.
Keep them upstairs and keep the cats downstairs.

Original poster
gordyslovesheep · 05/08/2012 17:30

that's good to know - my male cat has jumped at their run before now and he is a mouser - he's a little sod to be honest - the other cat is terrified of them!

right I am leaning toward moving them indoors then.

OP posts:
NarkedRaspberry · 05/08/2012 17:31

You need to ask someone to deal with the things for you. Someone other than your ex.

Original poster
gordyslovesheep · 05/08/2012 17:32

I have been looking at pest control services Narked - but they will come back! bastard things

OP posts:
startwig1982 · 05/08/2012 17:34

Sorry but it has to be said:
Man the fuck up!! Grin hth

tabulahrasa · 05/08/2012 17:37

I had indoor piggies with a cat who's a mouser - she used to sit and stare at them, stick her paw in the cage and randomly jump at them.

After the first few days, the piggies completely ignored her...they worked out where she couldn't reach and took their veg over there to munch it till she went off to do other things.

Original poster
gordyslovesheep · 05/08/2012 17:38

Thanks Grin - didn't work though!

OP posts:
alphabite · 05/08/2012 17:39

Mine live outside all year round. No problems. They will be fine as long as they aren't introduced to this in the middle of winter. Do it now when the weather is mild and they'll be fine. Make sure they have plenty of bedding in the first few days as they get used to it.

In the winter mine have a cover that I pop over the front of the cage and use this if rain is getting into their cage too. They also get more food and bedding in the winter and I check water bottles several times a day to make sure they aren't icy.

I've had almost 20 over the years and all except one lived to a ripe old age.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 05/08/2012 17:39

3-5 years?! What do you do to them? I had piggies all through my childhood and usual lifespan is about 6-8 years.

You could get them used to being out by taking them for runs on the lawn (get a little outdoor run), see how they do. But they need to be inside when it gets cold or very wet.

I'd look at getting rid of the spiders!

HecateHarshPants · 05/08/2012 17:41

Guinea pigs really do need to live inside. They're really delicate. And they're much happier in the house, where the action is and they can interact with you.

alphabite · 05/08/2012 17:43

Mine have never been delicate! Tough little buggers if you ask me.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 05/08/2012 17:46

They can be delicate - they can get very sick from eating too much grass, which is another reason not to have them outside if they're not used to it. And they can easily get sunstroke, despite being desert animals originally.

SauvignonBlank · 05/08/2012 17:57

I thought guinea pigs came from Peru, which is a cold place isn't it. We kept our piggies outside and they lived for 9ish years. They had a well insulated hutch, which we put a plastic cover on if the weather was really bad. Just keep cleaning them out regularly to keep the hutch dry, and give them plenty of hay to bed down in to keep warm. I'm also rubbish with spiders - my top tip would be to get a dog as I think ours scares / eats the spiders in our house. Probably not the most practical top tip though.....

HecateHarshPants · 05/08/2012 17:58

Mine were all right little characters! But they can be physically delicate. Weak hearts, respiratory problems, skin problems, sensitive to heat and cold...

I love their wheeps. One of mine once did a massive one and never wheeped again Sad

They're my second favourite animal - most favourite being the rat.

Mine were barely ever in their cages. When I met my now husband, I told him how my cats, rabbits and guinea pigs would snuggle up together in front of the fire. He nodded politely and you could tell he didn't believe me Grin so I took him home and lo and behold - cat. rabbit. guinea pig. fast asleep in front of the fire.

Jaw. Meet floor. Grin

LRDtheFeministDragon · 05/08/2012 18:00

sauv - you might be right, dim memories here.

I do know it's not recommended any more to keep them outside, though it used to be when I was little. But I was a right softie and always had them up in my room for the winter - I love the way they chunter on at you and so on! Very sociable little things.

HecateHarshPants · 05/08/2012 18:03

They are, aren't they? I would LOVE to have some again. They are such friendly, loving little creatures. They do get so close to you and love you very much. And they're cheeky too. I had one who used to jump onto my plate and take whatever took her fancy Grin and then make me tickle her.

Original poster
gordyslovesheep · 05/08/2012 18:06

they are brilliant pets - they love me very best of all though as I am 'food lady' Grin and they squeeeee and chunter at me.

I love them!

OP posts:
HecateHarshPants · 05/08/2012 18:06

Oh yes. They have a very high food drive, don't they? Grin

LRDtheFeministDragon · 05/08/2012 18:07

Aw, lovely, hecate! I would love to have them and I think the LL would let us, but I'm being good and waiting until we have a bit more space. Two of my mates have them even though they have single rooms in shared houses, and they take them out to the communal garden for a good run when they need it!

I think they're such easy-going pets.

The only thing is, they are so un-dramatic, they can be in a lot of pain before they make a fuss. One of ours got caught by a cat, got away, and crept under her cage to hide. She was so quiet down there we didn't immediately realize she'd come back! She had a big scratch, but once it was cleaned she recovered fine.

DizzyGoldBee · 05/08/2012 18:10

We have one in the house but he spends all day in the garden when it's fine, obviously only when we are in as he has free access to the whole garden. He is fine outside but he wouldn't be happy living out there, they need company too much.