Guinea pigs- best hutch?

[Twolittleloves]

Looking at getting daughter a small pet for her 7th birthday next month.

We have thought about rabbit, hamster or guinea pigs- swaying towards guinea pigs due to not having much space inside for a hamster cage and also hearing they are more suitable as they are awake in the day, easier to handle and live longer.
And less expensive upkeep than rabbits, aswell as better temperaments.

I had guinea pigs when I was younger and they used to have a tall raised hutch, however all the ones I am finding online now seem to be very low to the ground?
Is there a reason for this?
I was just abit worried about them being more exposed to the elements if it is low down to the floor, and also predators as our neighbour has a cat.

I have seen some hutches with runs attached, I remember having a separate run for my guineas as a child, but would the hutch and run attached be good as it still gives them a chance for more fresh air and exercise? Wasn't sure if the top hutch half can be shut off in the worse weather for protection.

[Hellocatshome]

Unless you have room for them to come live inside over winter then I wouldn't get Guinea Pigs. I know in the past people kept them outside all year round but then again people also kept rabbits in small hutches and let dogs walk themselves. Times have moved on and ideally Guine Pigs should be kept inside but definitely inside in the winter.

[Sprogonthetyne]

Our piggies live in a converted play house March-October, it's 120x180cm, insulated and has a small heater for cold snaps. It also has a run attached which is accessible through a hatch, which we close at night or in bad weather. In the winter they come inside and have a c&c cage, which takes over half the kitchen.

I love them, but guinea pigs are not an easy pet.

[distinctpossibility]

Guinea pigs must be kept in pairs for company. They need lots of space - C&C cages offer this but are totally unsuitable for outside, and large enough hutches are hard to find. The minimum cage size (and this needs to be in a flat single level - extra lofts or levels are in addition to this) for two females is 120x60cm.

They are lovely pets but do need plenty of looking after. Don't get them for a 7 year old unless you're completely on board with doing the care needed.

Oh and I never knew there were guinea pig rescue centres, try and get from one where possible. Our local one is called Avalon Rescue Centre and give fab advice and support to new owners.

[FlyingPandas]

What PP have already said basically - they are amazing but a lot of work! and with the best will in the world your 7yo may well lose interest (9/10 children will lose interest in a new small furry within 8 weeks is one stat I've read in the past) so the work will be down to you. Which is fine if you're up for it of course but just something to carefully bear in mind.

If you absolutely cannot have them indoors (totally appreciate not everyone has the space) then the next best thing would be a hutch within a shed, or a playhouse conversion type thing as long as it is predator proof. Piggies are also vulnerable to heat/cold extremes. They are fabulous little creatures but they are more work (and a lot more expensive to keep) than people think.

Just putting a few links here that will hopefully be helpful:

The Guinea Pig Forum - brilliant for advice and guidance and has a whole section for new/prospective owners and parents/DC:
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/forums/new-and-wannabe-guinea-pig-owners-corner.52/

C&C indoor cages (they can be adapted to whatever space you might have, it's definitely worth bearing in mind that the piggies will be tamer, easier to take care of and less likely to be forgotten about if they live indoors)
https://candcguineapigcages.co.uk/

Home and Roost - good website for outdoor hutches and runs if you absolutely cannot accommodate indoors:
https://homeandroost.co.uk/guinea-pigs/

[bunnygeek]

Here to echo the "don't get a hutch" advice. Hutches are just generally awfully designed things and most are very poorly built.

There's some more lovely ideas for indoors and outdoors including pics here:

[TabbyM]

I built a raised hutch to my own (massive) specs and had a separate run for summer use on grass. After one got pneumonia I started keeping indoors Oct-March in large plastic cages, let out for a run daily indoors,