Can my guinea pigs still have a run around and stretch of the legs outside in their run in winter?

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They have come in for the winter, but I worry about them being a bit cooped up and housebound!

Today it was lovely and bright and sunny. The lawn was wet and it was cold outside but I put them out in the run anyway from 11am to 3pm.

Is that okay?

helloooooo my fellow guinea pig fanciers

???

I would say it's too cold and wet now, unless they are able to take themselves off the wet grass if they want. With their short legs, their bodies are going to get very chilled through contact with the grass, and the temperature difference between inside and outside is going to be very marked.

We used to put them in the run in the kitchen with an old rug/offcut of carpet underneath it, so it didn't matter if they soiled it (which invariably of course they did). Of course you could skip the old carpet and just mop the floor with some kind of antibacterial solution afterwards.

Ooh I put our rabbits out yesterday too as they have no run.......just run of the garden. They were happy running around I think? They had hutch open so could go back anytime.

They were sniffing around me' as I was raking up leaves so had to keep throwing them a ball to run after. They are football mad for some reason! So we had a kickabout for a bit

I'm not putting mine out now - too damp, they don't do well being damp! But I expect they were fine as long as it wasn't too cold.

Can you maybe make them a little run indoors? Ours have a tiny 3ft square run that we bring into the conservatory through the winter. Put a piece of vinyl underneath if you have carpet.

I know one person who keeps her pigs outside through the whole winter, snow and all, but they have access to their hutch the whole time and don't actually venture out a great deal into the run.

I am having trouble thinking what to do with the rabbits though - apparently they are less worried by being damp. I'm not sure.

I agree- its now too cold and damp for piggies.
is it possible to set them up a run indoors made from cardboard boxes so they can explore. You could hide nibbles and hay if you make a maze of boxes giving them space to explore and forage in.

Rabbits- make sure they have access to a warm dry draught proof hutch at all times. The rabbit welfare association should have info on keeping buns snug in the winter. Most buns can cope with cooler weather but damp and extreme cold can kill.

i would have thought so, but i am more of a rabbit person than guinea pigs

my rabbits have always stayed out all year round, with free run of the garden. afaik that is a safe thing to do.
all the wild rabbits seem to cope ok

i reckon as long as it's not really, really cold outside and they have somewhere warm to come back into they'll be alright

Remember- wild rabbits have warm dry burrows and other buns to snuggle up with on cold damp nights. Most pet rabbits do not and do not have the same self preservation knowledge that young buns learn in the wild from their mums so need extra TLC when the British weather gets very cold and wet.

That's it - my rabbits sit and get soaked when it rains, rather than going into their thoughtfully provided hutch

They're not bright

Cleverer rabbits who have the run of the garden with a hutch to go into might well be alright but I often have to bring mine in and towel dry them.

The pigs are now ensconced in their winter run in the conservatory, on a PVC sheet covered in newspaper. It's likely to snow next week so glad they are in, less worrying for me at any rate.

rabbits are v bored though.

this is true. mine have access to hutch the whole time as well as a few other warm, dry spots in the garden, they do tend to use them too when it's rainy/cold as well

Am a newcomer to guineaworld and am loving it. Was planning on keeping them outside this winter but as they're both babies and one of them seems to be sneezing a bit (eek but otherwise healthy) brought em in today.

I worry about putting them out then in though and them getting warm then cold. Could they catch a chill?

Think I'm actually more worried about them than the DCs. And they're getting a much better diet than the DCs. (Fruit veg etc etc)

Spongey - everything I have read suggests that you should keep guinea pigs inside in the winter. Mine are "in" now and my op was asking if it was ok to let them outside in their run for a few hours on a sunny day only.

If you don't have an indoor cage, I can recommend this - which is a very reasonable price. My three girls seem happy in it .

don't think link worked, sorry

i put my guineas in the shed last winter but i hated it - felt they were being neglected.
they are still outside.

my rabbit goes in the garden when it wants. i.e. today and yesterday.

Spongecakelover - out then in is OK, but don't put them out again now this winter or they'll really feel the cold. As they are young and one is snuffling, be cautious in case we have a winter like last year.

Our pigs have always lived in the garage, but they are getting old and have moved in with us this winter. We haven't really got the space, but it's lovely to have them in and they're getting loads of attention.

Ours come in for the winter and I miss them in the summer. They squeak when they hear my voice especially when they hear me in the kitchen because they know they're about to get a bit ofnthe same veg were having.

We either let them roam free (floorboard) or bring the outdoor run inside.

One of ours is sneezing too very sweet, but I worry about her.

I love piggie noises :)
My rabbit is currently running free in the garden. If I open the back door she will bound up for some food then bugger off again. I try and get her in at night- she likes to sleep under the kitchen table- but sometimes she will not be rounded up and will sit out all night. She is very well padded and sturdy though.