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Small pets

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Original poster

Guinea Pigs - I think DH is being mean, he thinks I am.

27 replies

IAmReallyFabNow · 01/01/2011 14:19

My 2 piggies have been inside for about a month now due to snow, cold and the grass being wet. I don't want to put them back in their outside hutch and he does as he says they are not getting any exercise in their indoor cage. They can't go on the grass yet so would only be able to run around in their hutch. Who is right? You decide .

OP posts:

uggmum · 01/01/2011 14:28

My mum has guinea pigs, when she bought them 2 years ago they were going to live outside in a nice hutch, just outside the back door.

Within a week they were inside in a massive 2 tier cage. They are in the dining room, they are cute but they smell. Even when they are cleaned out you can smell the sawdust and hay.

She is convinced that they are fully fledged family members and I even bought them a christmas present.

I feel that they belong outside in a nice hutch. You can bring them in regularly for a stroke.

ChippingIn · 01/01/2011 14:35

I's keep them inside - why can't they have a run around? Find a safe space (somewhere they can't get stuck in or under something) and let them out, if you don't have anywhere safe without carpet just put some newspaper down, they widdle a lot, but only tiny amounts!

So you are both BU & NBU :)

fel1x · 01/01/2011 14:36

I think that you have to put them outside earlier in the year to let them acclimatise and grow a thicker winter coat if you want them to be outside animals. By having them inside up till now I would say you'll have to keep them inseide until it gets warmer again or they will not do well!

PonceyMcPonce · 01/01/2011 14:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

IAmReallyFabNow · 01/01/2011 14:43

Just told DH what you said fel1x and he grinned in an I give in way.

When should I put them back out? There isn't anywhere they can run around as they could get in hidey holes.

OP posts:

marriedandlookingforcake · 01/01/2011 14:55

I'd buy or make a little pen for them to have a run around safely indoors - this one can be folded up and put away when not needed.

Original poster

IAmReallyFabNow · 01/01/2011 15:52

Thanks for that.

OP posts:

sparkle101 · 01/01/2011 19:25

March is the earliest you should think about putting them back out when there is no morning frost. Their legs are so short that any contact with grass which is wet can cause them issues.

Agree with everyone else that you can put somewhere in home for them to run around. Even an unused garage for an hour or so would be fine. Or kithen floor. Somewhere easy to wipe up as they seem to wee constantly!

ChippingIn · 01/01/2011 19:57

Fab - you must have some space that's Gp friendly - how about the bathroom? If you do 'pen them in' with 'stuff' just be aware that the little buggers are much better at climbing than they look like they should be!! I miss having the little fellas around the place.

Original poster

IAmReallyFabNow · 01/01/2011 20:12

I really do want them to have a run around, and don't care about having to clear up puddles (I have 3 kids!!) but there are little spaced the piggies could get stuck but I guess I could try and block those.

If only my travel cot would do .

OP posts:

Original poster

IAmReallyFabNow · 01/01/2011 20:14

I told dh they can't go back until March and he just said they shouldn't have come in .

Could they go out in their hutch but not play on the wet grass? They would have more space to run around in but less human contact. Actually they spend most of their time curled up together in their bed and only come out when they want feeding .

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bibbitybobbitysantahat · 01/01/2011 20:16

My three girls' indoor cage is bigger than their outdoor hutch! But I can't wait for them to be able to go out on the grass again, poor babies.

ChippingIn · 02/01/2011 00:29

Why not put them in the travel cot? -you could put a bit of wood in the bottom if it's not very firm?! Or do you still have a little one who uses it - then yes, probably not a good idea unless you line it with a lot of towels over a waterproof sheet.

Oh would he rather they died in the snow?

I guess they could go out in their hutch & not run, if you want to take heat pads out to them. Do you have a garage or shed etc? But they'd still need heating of some kind.

I know they are a bit smelly inside (well it's really the hay/straw that smells) but if they are cleaned daily they aren't too bad.

Original poster

IAmReallyFabNow · 02/01/2011 10:35

No, no children need the travel cot. It is just taking up room. I am going to clean them out later but they are not going outside. I really don't see that they would be better off just because they would have a bit more room. DH can't win this as they are mine . If he doesn't like it, tough . I gave him a choice. Another baby or more pets .

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silver73 · 02/01/2011 16:54

I think he is being mean as your gps could die if they are put outside. These little creatures need to stay indoors and not allowed out until it is warm. I am so glad you are looking after them.

Original poster

IAmReallyFabNow · 02/01/2011 16:56

I have just cleaned them out and they are all happy and eating their tea.

OP posts:

Original poster

IAmReallyFabNow · 03/01/2011 11:14

I have just bought the piggies a play pen and they are now running around in the kitchen .

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ChippingIn · 03/01/2011 19:13

Lovely :)

What did you buy in the end?

How old are they? When you have young ones again you remember how playful they are! Our last ones were sooo playful as young things!

jonicomelately · 03/01/2011 19:15

I keep mine outside and they survived temperatures of minus 17 this winter.

fruitshootsandheaves · 03/01/2011 19:17

ours are in the garage this year. Better than being out in the cold but a bit dark. They were in DS's room last year, he didn't mention having them in there again this winter!

jonicomelately · 03/01/2011 19:34

When I say 'survived' I mean they're as chipper as ever. I was told they are tough little things and they are.

Dalex · 03/01/2011 19:55

We keep all four gpigs and 2 rabbits inside. Lavendar sawdust stops any smell as does scooping out poop from the top layer each day when you feed them.

Ours are defiitely extentions of family: all had a Xmas stocking. Our dog eats any stray poop and they happily run around the halls to get some exercise. The kids adore them and they have made fabulous pets.

Original poster

IAmReallyFabNow · 04/01/2011 15:48

We have had the piggies for 15 months now and they are between 21-28 and 18-33 months old. The rescue place couldn't be sure as one was dumped on their doorstep and they took the other one from someone with over 40 guinea pigs.

OP posts:

ChippingIn · 05/01/2011 00:22

I want a cuddle!!

Original poster

IAmReallyFabNow · 05/01/2011 12:35

They are adorable, .

OP posts:

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