When winter arrives, you want to take steps to keep the pigs warm.Bring your guinea pigs inside to keep them warm.Adding things to the cage can help insulate your piggies, such as microwave pet-safe heating pads.If you have an outside hutch, insulate the floor and walls to keep your animals warm.
Step 1: If your guinea pigs are outside, try to bring them indoors.
The pigs are susceptible to cold weather.When you live in a cold climate, it's best to bring them inside the house in the fall or winter.If they're left in temperatures that they can't tolerate for a long time, the guine pig can getHypothermia.If you can't bring your animals indoors, you'll need to take precautions to keep them warm outside.
Step 2: Under door draft stoppers or towels can be used to block drafts.
If you live in an old house, drafts can make rooms extra cold, which is why you should use these items in the room where your guinea pigs are staying.You might need to add towels to the windows.Under door draft stoppers are designed to block drafts.If your heat goes out, this step is important.
Step 3: The doors and windows should be moved away from the guinea pigs.
If you can, put your animals in a central part of the house.The doors and windows can let in drafts.Being near an exterior wall or window will make your home cooler.If your guinea pigs are in a room with an exterior door, try to keep it closed.
Step 4: There are blankets and towels.
The blankets help the guinea pigs maintain their body heat.Smaller blankets are probably better.A small fleece blanket is a great option.You can cut up old towels.
Step 5: 2 to 3 inches of shredded paper bedding or hay can be used.
A thick layer of bedding or hay is spread throughout the cage.They can trap their body heat under it.Hay is a good choice, as it's good at absorbing body heat and reacts well to water, in case the guinea pig urinates on it.Pine or cedar products can contain chemicals.The shredded bits in soft cotton wool bedding can be harmful to your guinea pig.
Step 6: The small cages are where the guinea pig can cozy up.
Small plastic cages are great for keeping your pig warm.There are plastic igloos at the pet store.There is a way to make a cuddle spot with a shoebox that has one end cut out.Throw in some old towels or fleece and your guinea pig will be able to sneak into this cozy corner.A fleece snuggle bed is a warm pocket made out of fleece.
Step 7: Use pet-safe heating pads.
Place the pads in the cage.The heating pads can stay warm for up to 8 hours, and your guinea pigs can sleep against them.You can find them at pet stores.If you don't want to buy a heating pad, try pouring warm water into bottles and wrapping them in towels for your guinea pigs.The water should not be boiling.
Step 8: If possible, put the hutch in an outside building.
If you can't bring your guinea pigs inside your house, moving the hutch to a building will make it warmer.Protection from predators will be provided by it.Make sure the building has a window for natural light.You don't want your animals to be left in the dark all the time.If you can't move the hutch indoors, put it against your house, which will block some of the wind and rain.It should be opening faces away from the elements.
Step 9: A thick layer of newspaper or straw will create a warm floor.
It should be thick.You can put shredded paper on top of it.Alternatively, add a layer of hay.guinea pigs eat meadow hay.Adding a layer to the house provides food and insulation.
Step 10: The bedding needs to stay dry.
The bedding of guinea pigs can become wet from the weather.It can cause respiratory disease and other infections.It's a good idea to check on the bedding every day.Change it out for new bedding if it's wet.
Step 11: It's a good idea to add a waterproof covering to the hutch.
If you have a hutch cover, it can help keep your animals dry.These coverings provide a waterproof top to keep the ran out.Online or at some pet stores, you can find these coverings.
Step 12: Insulate the outside of the building.
If your cover doesn't go down over the sides, caret around the outside edges to make it warmer.It's a good idea to staple the carpet on the outside of the house to keep the guinea pigs warm.It's important to leave a little room for air and light.
Step 13: It's a good idea to add a thermometer inside the house.
You should keep an eye on the temperature of your pig's enclosure.It is possible to get a smart thermometer that can send updates to your phone.If the weather goes down, you can see it.You can find them online.
Step 14: Warming pads, blankets, and small animals can be put inside.
If you provide places for your guinea pig to warm up, you can make an outside hutch warmer.Add old towels and fleece blankets, as well as small plastic igloos or other small structures for your guinea pigs to sleep under.Bring out heating pads you heated up in the microwave to keep them warm.It's a good idea to insulate your water bottle so it doesn't freeze over.Make sure it doesn't turn to ice by checking it at least twice a day.