Small pets

[sherrardk]

Anyone got any thoughts on what would be the best small, out-doors pet for us. We are thinking along the lines of a rabbit or guinea pig. Can you have both in a cage/run together (as company for each other)? Also, which likes to be cuddled and fussed over the most? Thanks

[wildwood]

I would go for a couple of female guinea pigs. They are easy to look after and can be quite cuddly. If you have any grass/lawn down the back you can make an all wire cage without a bottom so they can have a romp and chew, the bigger the better but it has to be strong if foxes can get to your garden. Also have some part with shade in case on sun.
Only go for the long haired variety if you think you can do at least thrice weekly grooming.

[wildwood]

btw the wire cage is only for warm days. Permanent housing should be off the ground and very sheltered and cozy to combat the winters.

[sherrardk]

Do they have to have grass? We rent and the garden is not very big, it is paved and has some pebble-covered raised beds.

[slinkycat]

I've had guinea pigs and although they would probably be ok without grass, when they are on it, it seems to be their biggest pleasure in life! They graze constantly.
As wildwood says, go for two females.
A cautionary tale though, I got one from someone I knew, and another from a local pet shop. I was assured that both were far too young to be pregnant, and besides had been separated from the male siblings.
Got up one morning to find I had eight guinea pigs!

[NazNomad]

1 rabbit, 1 guinea pig (IMO) ... very social, unlikely(?) to breed.

[kikidee]

ferrets are amazing animals to keep if u get them when young the saying that they are smelly istottally untrue! if u keep their home clean they are very clean animals indeed! is the pet for children? ferrets yet again are good for children if bought from young and are suppervised like with all animals! hope this is usefulx

[Chaffinch]

How about two chickens, love a cuddle, will follow you round the garden, and two fresh eggs most days................................sorted.

[tinpotLizzie]

Rabbits & guinea pigs in particular would soon die of hypothermia in the winter, especially like the one we're experiencing this year. The best place for a house,not cage, would be in a shed so that they are enclosed out of the wind/rain/snow & have protection from cold winds. Attach a chicken wired run for excercise/play/interaction & you have the ideal setup for the animals, & for the children to enjoy contact & watching their antics. Females would be best for the reasons previously given.

[jomifl]

If you like rabbits do not keep them with guinea pigs. Rabbits do not defaecate in their sleeping area, guinea pigs do. A lodger of mine kept both and the rabbits spent all their time staying as far from the guinea pigs as possible and looked thoroughly miserable.

[jomifl]

referring to another thread, an amoeba or perhaps two would make very undemanding pets. They are small, un-demanding, easy to feed, not aggressive to anything larger than themselves and can stay outside all year. The largest ones are as big as 1 millimetre so are visible to the naked eye.(if you know where to look). Obviously avoid the ones that cause amoebic dysentry.

[ljdksa]

We've kept rabbits and guinea pigs together and they have been fine. We now only have guinea pigs, as they are so easy to handle and great for kids as they don't scratch or bite. We move a wire run around the garden and haven't had to mow the lawn since! They go in shed in the winter, as not brilliant with extremes of temperature. They do need grass or vegetables daily - or Vitamin c drops in their water, as guinea pigs can't make their own. Also, for rabbits and guinea pigs - some wood to gnaw on as their teeth grow permanently. Now have two male guinea pigs who live happily together.

[dalebillster]

I agree with tinpotlizzie, a shed would probably be better as the harsh weather could kill off either rabbits or guinea pigs. A shed would be more suitable & a run in the gardenthat you could put them in when the weather is more warmer. I have a female rabbit & a male long haired guinea pig & they get on really well, so that could be an option perhaps...