In the summer, most of us move to the garden, whether at our home or cottage. Of course, we also want to let our rodent friends loose, and simply bringing the cage out won't do it. How can we make a comfortable, safe outdoor enclosure?
When you spend the whole day outdoors, you wouldn't leave your bunny or guinea pig at home, would you? They need free movement, and nothing makes them happier than feeling the grass under their feet. Such movement is natural to them, and it improves their physical and mental health.
Every garden has space for an enclosure. It's best to choose a space under a tree or somewhere where the enclosure is at least partially in the shade. You can also use a sheet or parasol. Some enclosures even have their own sun shield so you don't have to deal with it. You should also make sure that there are no poisonous plants and that the lawn has not been chemically treated. The surface should be flat with no holes and bumps so that the enclosure fits against the ground and your pet can't escape.
In addition to the mentioned shade, your pet should have access to fresh drinking water all day in the enclosure, and the water should be changed at least once a day due to the high summer temperatures. Your pet's summer residence should also have a spacious house. A little branch to chew on should also make him happy.
When choosing an enclosure, be sure to consider how large the animal is, what its demands for movement are and how many pets will be placed in the enclosure. Today there are so many various enclosures for reasonable prices on the market, so I think it doesn't make sense to make it at home, unless handcrafting is your hobby. :) Just keep in mind that just the material will cost you almost as much as a ready-made piece from a pet store or hobby market.
The most basic enclosures are made of a metal grid consisting of several parts. It's basically just a little fence. Some don't even have a roof, in which case I would recommend buying a protective net, for example. Without a roof, a rabbit could jump over and a rat could climb over, but all rodents placed in such an enclosure are at risk of an attack by predatory birds, or even a dog or cat.
The advantage of a nylon enclosure is that it's easy to fold and transfer. You can even use it at home. However, it has a waterproof bottom, so the pet will miss out on many perceptions and the opportunity to eat.
Then there are wooden enclosures; from covered enclosures to two-storey enclosures with a house. They certainly look better and ensure full comfort for your little rodent. If you intend to have an enclosure in the garden for a long time, I wouldn't hesitate to invest in it. They cost from one to three thousand crowns and will last you many years.
Does your rabbit, chinchilla, guinea pig or other rodent have a summer enclosure? Did you build it yourself, or did you buy it? Do you have any tips and advice to make their time outside more pleasant?
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