Can You Take A Guinea Pig Outside?

When you go outside for a walk, or somewhere for refreshment, you may want to bring your guinea pigs with you. So, you want to know, Can you take your guinea pig outside?

You can take your guinea pig outside with you if you provide a suitable and safe environment. A guinea pig can go outside in comfortable weather and a temperature that’s not so hot and not so cold. The preferable time of the day is just before sunrise and just after sunset. Moreover, you have to carry them safely and put them in a playpen, and ensure their safety from wild predators.

Keep in mind that, wherever you take them outside, you have to take some precautions.

In this article, you will know when and how you can take the guinea pig outside with you and what are those places.

Table of Contents

Is it safe to take your guinea pig outside?

It’s safe for guinea pigs to go outside, in fact, many guinea pigs’ owner’s kids are outside the home. However, you have to consider a favorable climate as they are sensitive to temperature.

You have to ensure that no other animal can hurt them or they don’t come in contact with any harmful substances.

Also, check out why you need to let the guinea pig out of the cage.

When can you take a guinea pig outside?

Whether you should take your guinea pig outside depends on various factors such as the time of the day, sunlight, weather, season, temperature, and age. 

You can take a guinea pig outside in the following situation.

Just before sunrise

One of the best times to take your guinea pig outside is just before sunrise.

This is because they like the environment when it’s not too dark and not too bright.

Besides, the environment is suitable for their health during this time and they don’t have to face problems due to sunlight or heat as well.

They may feel extremely hot in direct sunlight which may cause sunstroke and even death.

Just after sunset

Another great time to take your Guinea pigs outside is a little after the sunset.

The reason for that is guinea pigs love darkness and it also prevents direct sunlight and heat stroke.

Besides, light and temperature remain favorable to them. They love to play and run around during this time.

Too late after the sunset or in darkness, there is a chance you lost your guinea pigs outside. 

So, just after the sunset is a suitable time. Besides, guinea pigs can get cold at night.

Favorable temperature and weather

Can you go outside in favorable weather that includes heat and humidity?

You can let them go outside if it’s not too hot and not too cold.

You cannot take them out in extreme weather such as rain, storm, or snow.

If you leave them outside in extreme temperatures they may not survive very long. A very high can lead to dehydration and heatstroke. On the other hand, very low temperature is also dangerous for them.

Comfortable season

Consider a season that is not extreme for your guinea pigs. Don’t take them outside in the peak of summer, the peak of winter, or the rainy season.

Suitable age

You may wonder, “At which age you can take your guinea pig outside?”

A guinea pig can go outside when its age is above 6-8 weeks. You also have to look at their weight. It should be at least 400g.

You can’t keep a newborn or baby guinea pigs out because they are more likely to have heat stroke that leads to death. 

How long can guinea pigs stay outside?

You can keep them outside as long as you can provide them with a safe, comfortable, and favorable environment.

Though there is no limit to how long guinea pigs can stay outside, you can let yours outside for 1 to 2 hours without issue.

The duration depends on temperature, weather, and the place where you put your guinea pig outside.

Precautions for taking guinea pigs outside

Here are some tips and factors that you should consider while taking your guinea pigs outside.

Consider weather

You must ensure that the weather isn’t extreme for your guinea pigs.

Choose clear weather with comfortable temperature and humidity to take them outside.

Consider temperature

Don’t allow your guinea pigs to stay outside at an extreme temperature.

Too hot or too cold can be life-threatening for them.

You can keep them at room temperature without any issue.

A good temperature for them is 70 to 80 degrees F.

If you feel uncomfortable in that temperature, obviously they will also feel the same.

Always take a playpen

When you take the guinea pigs outside it becomes difficult to keep an eye on them or control their movement.

You are taking them out to allow them to move and run around freely. But you need to put a boundary so that they can’t go outside a certain area.

You can do it easily with a guinea pig playpen or exercise pen.

Make sure you use a good quality and large-size playpen to allow them to run and play freely and safely.

It can also protect them from other animals or a threat outside, as you can put a top on this enclosure.

Not only that, a playpen is mandatory for them whether you let them go outside your house or not.

Check out our other article on a playpen for guinea pigs.

Ensure that grass doesn’t contain any pesticides or fertilizers

When your guinea pigs go outside, most of the time they stay on the grass. If the grass contains pesticides, fertilizers, or any lawn chemicals, it will be dangerous for them.

Besides, animal toilets are also harmful to them.

So, make sure that it doesn’t contain any of these substances.

Provide comfortable floor

Guinea pigs can’t walk on rough surfaces nicely. Their legs are short and their feet are sensitive.

So, you have to ensure that the surface outside of your home where they walk is soft, smooth, and comfortable.

Don’t put them on concrete or metal floor. This flooring gets too hot in sunlight.

Rough or heated surfaces hurt their feet and cause infection and lead to bumblefoot.

Keep them away from direct sunlight

Guinea pigs can’t stay in direct sunlight for a long time. They are prone to heatstroke.

So, you must provide them with a shady spot where they can take shelter from the sun.

You can also put a parasol or umbrella on their playpen to protect them from the sun.

Avoid taking them during peak hours

The best time to take a guinea pig outside is early in the morning or late in the evening when the temperature is bearable.

You should avoid taking them outside during the midday when the sun is at its peak and the temperature is high.

If you have to take them during the day, make sure that you provide them with a shady spot and plenty of water to drink.

Always keep an eye on them

Supervise them all the time when they are outside.

You should be aware of their activities and whereabouts.

Make sure that they are safe and sound and not getting into any trouble.

Take them inside when they are tired

Don’t let your guinea pigs stay outside for more than 2 hours.

After that, they will get tired and stressed. So, it’s better to take them inside the house.

Guinea pigs are very sensitive and fragile animals. So, you must take care of them while taking them outside.

Be careful of predators

When you take your guinea pigs outside, there is always a risk of them getting attacked by predators.

So, you have to be very careful about that.

Keep an eye on them all the time and try to keep them away from areas where there are chances of getting attacked by predators.

The most common predators of guinea pigs are dogs, cats, snakes, birds of prey, etc.

Take a carrier with you

It’s better to take a carrier with you when you take your guinea pigs outside.

In case they get scared or run away, you can easily put them in the carrier and take them home safely.

Moreover, it will also protect them from predators.

Provide a safe and healthy environment

The environment outside your house should be safe and healthy for your guinea pigs.

There should be no toxic substances or chemicals present in the environment.

The temperature should be bearable, and there should be a shady spot for them to take shelter from the sun.

There should also be no chances of them getting attacked by predators.

You should also take a carrier with you in case they get scared or run away.

Protect them from hot summer weather

If you need to take them outside in hot weather or summer, protect them from heat and take appropriate precautions.

Check below to know about it in detail.

Protect them from cold weather

As too cold weather is also bad for your guinea pigs, take proper precautions if you need to take them out in winter, But, you can’t let them go outside if it’s too cold or there is a snowfall outside.

Know more from below.

How can you take guinea pigs outside?

First of all, you have to take out your Guinea pigs. You can do it by opening the door of the cage or from the top of the cage.

Next question is, how do you carry your Guinea pigs outside?

If you go far away from your home, you should take them in a carrier or small guinea pigs proof cage.

You always have to ensure the safety of your guinea pig while you carry them. Be careful that they don’t get hurt. Moreover, make sure that they get proper ventilation.

People use collar belts or leaches to take other pets like dogs. But you can’t use that for your Guinea pigs as those will hurt your piggies badly. You don’t need these either.

While they stay outside you have to keep them in an enclosure such as an exercise pen or a playpen. It also should protect them from wild animals.

What temperature can you take your guinea pig outside?

The best temperature for guinea pigs is between 17 to 20 degrees. Usually, guinea pigs can live safely at room temperature. Guinea pigs can go outside at a temperature between 15°C to 25°C (67-77°F) any season. Lower or greater than this temperature can be life-threatening to them.

If they go outside and are exposed to a temperature below 15°C (59°F), they will catch chills and cold. If they get too wet, it can lead to pneumonia.

On the other hand, when they stay outside at a temperature above 26°C (79°F), it can lead to dehydration. Moreover, they can have a heatstroke at a temperature above 32°C (90°F).

You have to keep baby guinea pigs at 15-25°C (67-77°F) temperature as well. They are more sensitive than adult piggies.

However, this range can vary depending on the location as the climate isn’t the same everywhere.

Moreover, every guinea pig’s body may not respond similarly to the same weather or temperature.

So, make sure they can go out at a more comfortable temperature to them.

Can guinea pigs go outside in cold weather?

You can take a guinea pig outside in cold weather if it’s within their tolerable range that’s around 17°C or above. But, you should not take them outside at a temperature below 15°C (59°F) because they get too cold and may have pneumonia.

In a temperature that can freeze water guinea pigs will have deficiencies in water. This will lead to dehydration and even death.

If you have short hair or a hairless guinea pig, you should be more careful because they are more sensitive to cold.

Can guinea pigs be outside in the winter?

Guinea pigs can go outside in winter when the temperature is suitable for them. Moreover, you have to ensure that you provide them enough protection to keep warm and prevent them from getting cold.

However, hairless or short-haired guinea pigs should not take outside in the winter to protect them from the cold.

Take them outside when the temperature is slightly higher such as 17°C to 20°C. But, don’t expose them to sunlight directly.

You cannot let them stay outside the temperature below 15°C (59°F). Provide them with a well-insulated enclosure. You can use blankets or towels to keep them warm. Also, make sure you put good flooring materials to protect them from the cold.

The exercise pen or the playpen should be waterproof to save them from the cold.

You also need to protect them from the direct wind. At the same time, you have to open them with enough ventilation.

If you put them on the grass, make sure it’s not wet for the dew or some other reasons. Wet grass makes them wet and they get cold fast.

To solve this problem, you can put a well-insulated flooring material and then put some fresh grass or hay over the floor.

A moist surface also produces fungus and bacteria that are harmful to the guinea pigs. So, you have to offer them a dry floor.

Concrete or metal floors are also bad for winter as they stay cold all the time. Don’t have anything to walk on these surfaces.

Furthermore, keep them away from dew or snow which is dangerous for them.

Winter in some locations is much colder than in many locations. So, you have to consider it as well.

Though I have discussed a lot of techniques to protect the guinea pigs from cold, you should not let them go outside in winter as it’s hard to maintain.

You can arrange a playpen inside your home and let them play there. 

Can guinea pigs go outside in hot weather?

Guinea pigs cannot stay outside in very hot weather and they become sick. They can go outside at a temperature below 25°C without having any problem. They can also tolerate a little bit higher temperatures than that for a short period. But, a temperature higher than 32°C (90°F) can cause heatstroke and even death.

Can guinea pigs be outside in the summer?

Summer is the best season for guinea pigs to be active and playful and that’s why they can go outside during this time. However, you have to ensure that sunlight doesn’t fall on their body directly and the weather is not very hot. If the temperature is higher than 25°C, you can’t take them outside.

So, prefer a time of the day when there is less amount of sunlight or the temperature isn’t so high.

Keep them in a place where you can provide them shade to protect them from direct sunlight.

Direct sunlight increases the heat of their body and may cause sunstroke.

To keep them hydrated, provide them with a lot of water during this time.

You can also trim their hair on the body to keep them cool in summer.

However, you should not let them go outside in the rain, storm, or high wind.

They cannot tolerate high wind and rain.

If it’s possible, don’t take them out during too warm weather, because many guinea pigs die from heatstroke during this time.

All of these precautions may not help your guinea pigs to survive in extreme weather.

Where can you take guinea pigs outside?

There are some places where you can take a guinea pig to have some fun. These places provide a good environment for guinea pigs and they also offer some facilities to make sure the guinea pig is safe.

One of the best places to take the guinea pigs outside is a park. There are many parks that allow pets and they also have some special areas for them.

Another good place to take your little pigs outside is a pet store. Many pet stores have special sections for small animals where you can take the guinea pigs and let them play.

You can also take your piggies to a friend’s house. This way, they can socialize with other animals and have a good time.

If you have a backyard, you can also set up a small enclosure for the guinea pigs and let them play there.

Just make sure that the enclosure is secure so that your piggies cannot escape.

Can you take a guinea pig for a walk?

You can take your guinea pig for a walk. However, there are some things that you need to keep in mind before taking them out.

First of all, you need to make sure that the weather is not too hot or too cold. Guinea pigs cannot tolerate extreme temperatures and they can get sick.

Secondly, you need to have a secure enclosure for the guinea pig so that they cannot escape.

Thirdly, you need to provide them with food and water so that they do not get dehydrated.

Fourthly, you need to be careful of predators such as dogs, cats, and birds of prey.

Lastly, you need to be careful of traffic and other hazards.

So, these are some things that you need to keep in mind before taking your little pig for a walk. Just make sure that you take all the necessary precautions and your guinea pig will have a great time.

Conclusion

Guinea pigs love outdoor time and you should let them go outside during a safe and comfortable time of the day considering weather, temperature, and season to make them happy.

FAQ on taking a guinea pig outside

Can you take guinea pigs outside at night?

The guinea pigs can go outside at night because guinea pigs love the darkness.

However, you have to put them inside an enclosure or playpen. Without the enclosure, you might lose your guinea pig when you allow them to walk outside. So, a suitable time can be a little after the sunset or just before the sunrise.

Can the guinea pigs go outside in the snow?

Guinea pigs shouldn’t go outside in the snow as they get chills and have pneumonia and this can risk their life as well.

Can the guinea pigs go outside in the sun?

Guinea pigs can go outside in the sun only if you can ensure that they don’t come in direct contact with the sunlight and it’s not too hot for them. They can have heatstroke as a result of their exposure to direct sunlight or too hot weather.

Can a guinea pig go outside in the rain?

You cannot take a guinea pig outside in the rain because they will get wet and catch a cold. This can lead to pneumonia or even death.

Can I take my guinea pig to the park?

Your guinea pig can go to the park with you. There are many parks that allow pets and they also have some special areas for them. Just make sure that the weather is not too hot or too cold and that the guinea pig has a secure enclosure.

Can you take guinea pigs outside to the beach?

No, you cannot take a guinea pig to the beach because they will get sunburned. Guinea pigs are so sensitive that they can become ill or even die if they are exposed to the sun.

Can a guinea pig go outside in the grass?

Guinea pigs can go outside in the grass. Make sure it’s not wet and put a playpen to keep them secure. Besides that, make sure that grass doesn’t contain grass clippings, weeds, animal’s toiler, and other harmful stuff for guinea pigs.

Can I take my guinea pig on a plane?

Yes, they can travel, but the airline might have some specific requirements, so it’s best to check them first. Moreover, you have to take extra precautions when flying with a guinea pig as the change in air pressure can cause some health problems.

Can you take a guinea pig camping?

If you’re careful and take some necessary precautions, you can take a guinea pig camping. But, you must consult with your vet before you go camping with the guinea pig.

Can you put an indoor guinea pig outside?

You shouldn’t put an indoor guinea pig outside because they are not used to the weather and they can get sick. However, they can go out for short period for playtime, exercise, or in a situation like taking them to a vet.

When can baby guinea pigs go outside?

Baby guinea pigs can go outside when they are about 400g in weight and 6-8 weeks old. But, you have to take some precautions like taking them out during the cooler hours of the day and making sure that they have a secure enclosure.

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