what pet can we keep outside in our small city garden?

[pecans]

I thought guinea pigs might be okay - but there seems to be mixed opinions on here. Is there any other animal that would be okay? Was wondering about a rabbit, but am worried that it will cost too much and take too much care. Plus we have no grass.

we have no grass either, but had a series of rabbits & guinea pigs when the kids were small - we have a concreted back yard & used to let them out to run around in good weather. there were lots of weeds to nibble though! & you could grow some nice green stuff in pots.

better to get 2 than 1, for company & warmth in cold weather, & guinea pigs are nicer to each other than rabbits (I think)

if it will be permanently outside then you'll need a very sheltered spot for the hutch & good waterproof covering over the top.

\link{http://www.bluecross.org.uk/2152-2805/caring-for-your-guinea-pig.html\this is helpful}

Yes you can keep Gpigs outdoors all the time, but they will need plenty of warmth and shelter in the winter. I personally wouldn't keep them outside all year round unless I had them in a shed with decent insulation and some heat. But plenty of people do just fine.

Have you got room to bring them indoors in the winter?

Have two boys that live indoors , they get buckets of attention and are very tame and tolerant because of it. Its lovely when they squeak when you walk into the room, and when at 6pm they shout for supper they give so much back!

Re. Rabbits, they are more hardy, but will cost more in vets bills due to being neutered/jabbed etc. they aren't as cuddly but they are lovely to watch. And if you have no grass it means that the buggers can't dig themselves out! They aren't as cuddly as Gpigs. House Rabbits will become more tame and tolerant. I had two rabbits as a teen that despite all my hard work, they were happier with their own company and refused to be tamed. A rescue pair may be a good idea due to the fact that they will be able to tell you what their personality's are like.

If you go for Rabbits - one of each sex both neutered seems to be the best combo. Gpigs - 2 or more girls or a pair of boys (read up on boys and their potential problems - as much as I love my boys ,I would go for girls next time personally )

No room indoors - and dp wouldn't allow it anyway. I know two people who have Gpigs outdoors so was wondering if it was an option - but when I look at the RSPCA etc, it says they should be indoors. WOuld hate to have animals and not look after them properly.

Thank you for the link ponders I am going to look into it and work on dp

Hi - Good luck with your search for a pet - I would agree with what most have written, alot depends on where you live and how severe your climate is, but ideally guineas should have proper warm shelter in the winter, outdoor hutches are not always suitable as they get damp and this affects the guineas's health. With guineas, the more the better in a way, they are very sociable, and need access to greenery where possible, this may mean you going out to get bags of weeds, grass etc, if there isnt any in the garden, as they do love to graze outdoors - but this isnt always possible and plenty of folk have them as indoor pets, - they are much more part of the family when they are inside, and are great fun and company - but very allergenic, so if any of your family have allergies, they might not be the best pet! The site Bokey linked to was really helpful I thought, with lots of good advice and tips. IS there any chance of putting a bit of turf/lawn down in the garden at all - hens might be another option!!!

We could put turf down - seems a bit mean not to! I am going to think hard about this as I get the impression there's a bit more work than I anticipated and im not convinced we will be the best pet owners. Thank you very much for your posts - really helpful.

our piggies' hutch was outside in a fairly narrow side return, with next door's kitchen extension immediately behind & our 2-storey house very close to the front (N) & one side (W); the other side was open to the E & slightly exposed, but our yard has 6' walls all round, a shed at the bottom (E end) & another house beyond that, so pretty sheltered. Also we had a large sheet of blue damp-proof membrane right over the top & sides, & overhanging the front

They survived several winters, but this was a few years ago, when we had a run of mild ones - I think you'd have to be prepared to bring them indoors if we had another bad one like the last 2 years

Also we used to give them hay as bedding, not straw - hay is softer, & seemed a nicer bed, but of course they ate it, even after they had weed on it & then they had no bedding left! So don't do that...