teeny
01-12-2008, 17:47
Caring for guinea pigs in winter
How do I prepare their hutches for winter?
Guinea pigs can be kept outside during the winter. You can make this a comfortable experience for your pet firstly by placing your hutch against the wall of your house in an area where the hutch will be sheltered from the wind and rain.
Plenty of extra hay on top of their usual bedding will help to keep guinea pigs warm, and fleece bedding such as Vetbed can be used for a very cosy bedding alternative.
Some pet suppliers sell waterproof hutch covers in multiple sizes that can be zipped up around the hutch for insulation against the cold. Alternatively you can fix your own waterproof plastic covering to the outside of your hutch (leaving the wire doors uncovered so your guinea pigs can see out!) to do the same job. Water bottles can also be kept warm with water bottle covers that can be sourced from some larger pet suppliers and are ideal for preventing water from icing over.
How do I prepare their outdoor play area for winter?
Beware of allowing your guinea pigs out to play in cold weather, the rain or wind as it may not always be possible to let them out in winter. Guinea pigs are very fragile in a draughty environment and cold weather can be just as harmful to guinea pigs as the heat in summertime.
If the weather is fair you can put your guinea pigs out to play on the grass. Put a towel down on the grass under their hiding place so they have somewhere warm and dry to sit. You can cover their run with a plastic covering to keep them sheltered, keeping one side uncovered to allow light in. Allow them out for just a short time in winter weather and bring them in if the weather gets worse.
How do I regulate the temperature?
A certified electric heater is useful to keep your shed warm. Electric heaters are preferable to oil heaters because they don't smell. The best electric heater you can get is one that has a temperature setting and an automatic cut-off when the desired temperature has been reached. Make sure that your electric heater is in good working order before using around your animals and always check it at regular intervals. Never direct a heater straight onto your pets.
Is there anything else I should know?
If the weather is really awful (snow, gales, extremely heavy rain, bitterly cold weather) then you should consider bringing your pets into the house for a few days until the weather clears up again.
I also recomend snuggle safe pads for night time use.
How do I prepare their hutches for winter?
Guinea pigs can be kept outside during the winter. You can make this a comfortable experience for your pet firstly by placing your hutch against the wall of your house in an area where the hutch will be sheltered from the wind and rain.
Plenty of extra hay on top of their usual bedding will help to keep guinea pigs warm, and fleece bedding such as Vetbed can be used for a very cosy bedding alternative.
Some pet suppliers sell waterproof hutch covers in multiple sizes that can be zipped up around the hutch for insulation against the cold. Alternatively you can fix your own waterproof plastic covering to the outside of your hutch (leaving the wire doors uncovered so your guinea pigs can see out!) to do the same job. Water bottles can also be kept warm with water bottle covers that can be sourced from some larger pet suppliers and are ideal for preventing water from icing over.
How do I prepare their outdoor play area for winter?
Beware of allowing your guinea pigs out to play in cold weather, the rain or wind as it may not always be possible to let them out in winter. Guinea pigs are very fragile in a draughty environment and cold weather can be just as harmful to guinea pigs as the heat in summertime.
If the weather is fair you can put your guinea pigs out to play on the grass. Put a towel down on the grass under their hiding place so they have somewhere warm and dry to sit. You can cover their run with a plastic covering to keep them sheltered, keeping one side uncovered to allow light in. Allow them out for just a short time in winter weather and bring them in if the weather gets worse.
How do I regulate the temperature?
A certified electric heater is useful to keep your shed warm. Electric heaters are preferable to oil heaters because they don't smell. The best electric heater you can get is one that has a temperature setting and an automatic cut-off when the desired temperature has been reached. Make sure that your electric heater is in good working order before using around your animals and always check it at regular intervals. Never direct a heater straight onto your pets.
Is there anything else I should know?
If the weather is really awful (snow, gales, extremely heavy rain, bitterly cold weather) then you should consider bringing your pets into the house for a few days until the weather clears up again.
I also recomend snuggle safe pads for night time use.