Outdoor Time for Small Pets: Benefits and Precautions

Cute and cuddly compact pets like rabbits and guinea pigs are popular options for families with limited space. But even these tiny friends can benefit from free time beyond the confines of their cages.

At All Critters Veterinary Hospital, we love seeing all your pet friends—big and small—and in this blog, we explain how to safely provide outdoor time for small pets.

Should I Take My Small Pet Outside?

While it’s natural to think that any animal would enjoy a dose of fresh air and sunlight, it’s not required for the overall health of small rodents like hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs. These are prey animals and could feel quite stressed when exposed to the vastness of the great outdoors.

Pet rabbits, on the other hand, can be susceptible to metabolic bone disease without enough exposure to the sun’s UV rays. When you provide your pet rabbit with outdoor playtime, they can soak up unfiltered sunlight, create vitamin D, and absorb more calcium from their diet.

When done safely, however, all small pets can enjoy some time outdoors. Keep reading for our team’s helpful hints!

Small Pet Outdoor Safety

Outdoor playtime can provide mental stimulation and physical exercise, but care must be taken to keep small pets safe and comfortable outdoors.

When considering guinea pig outdoor play or outdoor time for small pets, keep these small pet outdoor safety precautions in mind:

Supervise small pets at all times to keep these tiny escape artists from wandering off and to protect them from predators.
Avoid extreme temperatures. Bring them inside if it's too hot or cold.
Introduce outdoor time for small pets gradually to prevent stress and ensure they feel safe.
10-15 minutes of guinea pig outdoor play is plenty.
Do not leave your small pet in direct sunlight, as they can easily overheat.
Rabbits don’t sweat and should be outside no longer than a few minutes when temperatures rise above 80 degrees.
Keep your pet up to date on vaccinations and flea and tick prevention.

Creating a Safe Rabbit Outdoor Enclosure

A rabbit outdoor enclosure can ensure that your rabbit or other small pet can safely enjoy the benefits of fresh air and sunlight. If you allow rabbits or other small animals to roam outside the enclosure, do so only on untreated grass and keep a very close watch on your small pet.

Make sure your rabbit outdoor enclosure includes the following:

A secure latch
Enough room for your small pet to move around freely
Shelter from direct sunlight
A solid surface floor to protect their feet
Hiding spots or small shelters where they can retreat if they feel threatened
Chew toys or tunnels for added enrichment

If you’re considering outdoor time for your small pet, please contact us at (614) 305-2085 for tailored small pet outdoor safety tips for your individual pet.