Is it safe for my hamster to live in an outdoor cage day and night?

You will need to gradually acclimate him to your presence. This will time and patience. Begin by simply sitting next to his cage. Move slowly and speak softly. Initially, he may run to the far side of the enclosure or he may hide. When he goes about his normal business, you can introduce your hand into the cage for short periods of time. Make no attempt to hold or touch him, simply leave your hand in his cage. Increase the time as he acclimates. Allow him to sniff and inspect your hand if he wants. Eventually, you can coax him on to your hand using treats. Offer food or treats when you put your hand inside the cage so he will see you won't see you as a threat. These little guys are nocturnal, so being outside in the bright sunshine may be stressful. Additionally, if left in direct sunlight, the potential to overheat is very real.

I would not recommend putting a rabbit that has been living indoors outside permanently. They get used to the indoor climate and outside living can be a shock for them. And if you proceed to do it a metal/plastic cage is not an appropriate home for them. It will provide absoloutely no insulation due to the thermal properties of the materials. You would need to invest in an insulated wooden hutch or a specifically outdoor plastic hutch.

If the hamster is indoors and the heating will go on , there is no such risk. Remember they have their fur to help them keep warm. I had a few hamsters who suffered heat stroke, so I would also be careful not to overheat him. Make sure that he has enough food and water , and that the water can not be spilled. Maybe it would be sensible for someone just to pop in once a day to make sure that he is fine, it is always a big responsibility to look after someone else's pet !

Hi, it is best to keep rabbits inside at night in very hot or very cold weather. They can go outside in nice weather and back inside at night. Predators love rabbits, since they have no way to fight back if another animal wants to eat them. Also, outside they are prone to get fleas, ticks, and other external parasites on their bodies. They can also get internal parasites from eating brush and dirt. If you live where dogs and cats go, I would only allow your rabbit outside in a very secure cage. Make sure it is large enough for the rabbit to get exercise, has shelter, and food and water available. It also should go underground a half a foot so predators cannot dig under the fencing. So in light of the set up it takes to safely keep a rabbit outside, it is better to keep them indoor where they are safe. Rabbits can be leash walked with a small harness for outdoor activity. Good luck, I hope this helps!

It depends on the hamesters. Not all hamsters will get along. It is also important that you do not put male and female together unless you want babies or one is spayed/neutered. If you are going to try you need to monitor them closely and I would not leave them together over night. If they are doing well you can leave them together for longer periods of time. Some hamsters will have aggression when put together. Hope that helps

If the cage is cleaned frequently the ventilation may be adequate however I would be very nervous that the hamster would escape from these open areas. They can be very agile climbers and are escape artists. I would recommend a commercially available cage instead to ensure that your hamster does not escape! Also, even if you place a mesh over the area, if the hamster can get to the corner/edge of the plastic they can easily chew the plastic and escape that way!

Hamsters are pretty tough little guys. If you have regular air conditioning on, and it is not too cold in your room,they should be fine. Especially if you have some fluffy bedding and a little house for your hamster to be in. If you notice them being sluggish, hard to wake, not eating as well, then they might be too cold. They more hibernate if they get really too cold- like outside, or no heat on in the winter. I don't have an exact temp for you, but I wouldn't go under 60. If you hamster is active, eating well and his normal self, I think you are ok. If he is not, I would be more concerned with illness and take him to the vet for a checkup.

I'm sorry that your brother coughs due to the presence of the guinea pigs! Depending on your location, guinea pigs can be housed outdoors. Temperature ranges for guinea pigs are relatively narrow, about 65-75F. If they are housed outside, guinea pigs should have access to shade, plenty of food/water, and shelter. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!

Hello! A rusty cage is not recommended for a few reasons. First, your hamster could be exposed to heavy metals like lead and zinc that are components of cage metals. Animals are protected from these heavy metals by the powder coating that’s applied, but as the cage ages and the coating cracks and peels off, exposure can occur. The rust is an indication that any powder coating is old and compromised. Secondly, the rusty bars may damage your hamsters insicors and this could become a bigger issue if there is an incisor fracture or damage to the roots. I would recommend getting a new cage for these reasons. Hope that helps.

The only thing that I would be concerned with would be if the wood is coated with any type of toxic substance. I believe you can find houses meant for rodents (since these guys chew so much). I would stick with these. Thank you for using Pet Coach!