Guineapigs- Accomodation

Hi PetPals!

Guinea-pigs are really cute pets and are fascinating to watch. But what's the best house for them to live in?

Guinea-pigs MUST live indoors, they don't cope well outside especially when it's cold. Of course, I understand not everyone has room for a cage/hutch in their houses but it's really important that you are willing to adapt your house for them especially in autumn and winter months.

Guinea-pigs need a lot of room in order to be able to exercise, feel safe and comfortable. This is also one of the 5 freedoms (see previous posts).  They can be housed in either a hutch or cage, I personally think cages are better especially if your guinea-pig is going to be housed indoors as it allows you to see them and for them to see you thus a stronger relationship between you both.  

I love the Ferplast brand of cages, they're perfect for guinea-pigs. They're easy to build, clean out, are big enough for your guinea-pig and most importantly safe too. 

Guinea-pigs MUST live in pairs or small groups. The Ferplast Rabbit 100 cage is the perfect size for 2 guinea-pigs.

You DO NOT want a cage any smaller than this as it's not enough room for your guinea-pig. If you have more than 2 guinea-pigs, I recommend you go up a size, for example the Ferplast 120 cage. 

Please remember that if you choose to house your guinea-pig in a cage it must live indoors! 

Hutches are suitable if your guinea-pig is going to be housed outside. Again, the hutch must be big enough for your guinea-pig. The best thing as a pet owner you can do is to actually go to the shop, look at the hutches themselves to get an idea of how big they actually are. Buying online may be easier but you don't really get to see how big the hutches actually are. By all means, look in shops, take notes on the sizes and then find that hutch online but make sure you know exactly how big the hutch is going to be before buying. You want your guinea-pig to be comfy, safe and happy. 

If you decide that your guinea-pig is going to be housed outside, be prepared to bring your guinea-pig inside during the autumn and winter months (You may want to invest in a cage also). Guinea-pigs that live outside should come inside in October and not go back outside in their hutch until about April/May time. Of course, check the weather before you do this. 

Guinea-pigs are extremely sensitive to temperature changes. You may think its freezing outside but to a guinea-pig it's like arctic conditions- super ice cold! So, bare in mind that when your cold, your guinea-pig outside is going to be extra cold. 

The positioning of your guinea-pigs house is important to. Make sure cages are away from drafts, radiators and noisy areas. Hutches need to be away from direct sunlight, windy areas and not at the bottom of gardens. Place the hutch nearer to your back door so you can see them. 

If you can't bring your guinea-pigs hutch indoors during winter, it's a good idea to put the hutch in a shed or garage and give them extra bedding. You can also use blankets to cover the hutch for extra insulation.

I personally think that if you cannot house a guinea-pig indoors then you may want to rethink about getting a guinea-pig. They are very sensitive to changes and can fall ill quickly.

For more information, please check out the following links or leave a comment below:

http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/rodents/guineapigs/environment

http://www.rspca-online.co.uk/guineas/needtoknow/accommodation/

http://www.cavyhaven.org.uk/accommodationoutdoors.html

http://www.woodgreen.org.uk/pet_advice/558_guinea_pig_accommodation

Rabbits

Hi Petpals!

Did you know that Rabbits are the most popular pets after Dogs and Cats? So why is it, they're the most neglected?

I'll tell you why, it's because not every rabbit owner knows how to care for them correctly and most rabbits live in a hutch at the bottom of gardens where they're easily forgotten about. (Especially in autumn/winter where the weather is rubbish and everyone is reluctant to go out in the cold)

I understand not everyone has the space to keep a rabbit inside their house, however there things that can be done to ensure your rabbit is comfortable outside.

The House

Firstly, make sure your rabbits hutch is big enough for your rabbit, I find the hutches that are made today are not suitable mainly because the sleeping area and hutch themselves are far too small. A rabbit must be able to stand fully on their back legs without their ears touching the hutch roof.

You could try to make your own two teird hutch with the upstairs being specifically for sleeping and the downstairs for general activities. Either way, a rabbit must have a secure sleeping area that will be draft free and big enough so they can move about easily and feel safe/warm.



A suitable hutch design if you were to make your own

An alternative to a hutch could be to convert a shed into a house. Personally, I think this is an excellent option as it provides space, shelter, security and warmth for the rabbit. A few alterations would need to be made to the shed such as making sure there is a gate/screen across the door entrance so that when you go in, your rabbit will not escape. The gate/screen should ideally be a wooden frame with mesh so that during the day you can leave the door open allowing for ventilation.



A 'wendy house' modification

You would also have to line the shed floor so that its flat and smooth, Lino is suitable for this. Windows will also need to be added so that plenty of fresh air and natural light can get in. Again this can be achieved easily by replacing the window frame with mesh.

A run can be attached to the shed and a cat flap installed allowing access between the run and shed. Make sure the run is well secure and has a lid to prevent predators (cats, dogs etc) from getting in.

Another thing that will need to be considered if planning to house a rabbit in a converted shed is security. Make sure the shed is locked by both a bolt lock and padlock. This will ensure not only your rabbits security but prevent unwanted humans from getting access too.

Location

Not many people take into account that the location of an animals house is vital to their health and well being.

Hutches should be away from direct sunlight, free from windy areas and in a quiet area away from children's play areas.

If your rabbit is housed in a hutch, make sure it's not at the bottom of the garden and nearby the back door so that they are not forgotten about.

Bedding

It's important that your rabbit has fresh and clean bedding at all times. A thick layer of newspaper should cover the surface of your rabbits hutch/house and an unlimited amount of hay should be provided, Hay is extremely important for your rabbits digestive system and is essential in the care of rabbits.

Rabbits like to poop, eat and sleep in separate areas. I would ensure that food bowls and water bottles are away from your rabbits pooping area and separate from the sleeping area too. If your rabbit is housed in a shed, I would invest in a cornered litter tray for your rabbit and then place the food bowls and water bottles on the other side of the shed.

Rabbits must be fully cleaned out once or twice a week! I will be covering this in another blogpost so make sure you follow to stay up to date!

Enrichment/Toys

For anyone that does not know what enrichment is, it simply means to make your pets life fuller and happier. In the wild, rabbits live in burrows and only come out for food/exercise. To mimic this, add tunnels and hides in your rabbits house to ensure they behave as naturally as they can. It's also fun for  rabbits too!

Links
Please check out these links for useful information:

http://www.rspca.org.uk/home
http://www.petsathome.com/
http://rabbit.org/category/care/


Thanks for reading and I hope this has helped! If you would like me to write these informative posts in bullet points in future so it's easier to read than please leave a comment and let me know. I will be covering Toys and Cleaning out in more detail in future posts so make sure you follow to stay up to date.