How to keep our guinea pigs warm this winter

narabanekeater

Our family has 2 beloved guinea pigs Poppy and Sparkle. They have never lived outside but in a massive cage in our utilty area and more often that not sitting on our sofa being fussed
The utility really gets cold and im really worried about them getting ill because of it. Can anyone please think of any ways we can keep them warm. Due to the size of the cage needed as they are large piggies theres no room in our small house. DD whos 7 offered to make them little coats lol.
A oil filled rad has been tried but made no difference due to the size of the room. They have loads of bedding in the cage and lots of food, water and fresh fruit and veg.

lozza1985

I'd carry on with the oil radiator - we use one in our conservatory (we have 2 house cats and that their "bedroom" lol) - it makes a huge difference having it on a low setting for a few hours periodically thoroughout the day (we have it on a timer). The conservatory is very cold without it and it's not exactly great at keeping heat in during winter, but just that oil radiator makes a big difference, you might not notice the difference very much as it would still be colder in there compared to the rest of the house, but it'll be warmer with it than without. Is there anywhere that drafts come through? Perhaps put blankets over anywhere that any noticeable drafts come through. We're getting guinea pigs this weekend, and I bought a little plastic igloo for them to snuggle into, that I'll put in their run, it wasn't very much from pets at home, or you could put a small cardboard box in with bedding in to give them somewhere to snuggle into if they feel chilly.

krlyr

I had to move my pets outside when living at home due to my mum's allergies. We converted a shed, insulated it, boarded it up, put electricity out there. One of the things recommended was a tubular heater, used very little power and wasn't going to roast them but would take the chill off them, could be worth looking into. Something like this one made for greenhouses could work?
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Heating_Index/Tubular_Heaters/index.html

If the cage is a barred type then modify some cardboard boxes to cover over half/two thirds of it to keep the heat in. You could pile up a few layers of cardboard as insulation. Get two boxes, one slightly smaller than the other, and stuff hay inbetween the gaps, cut a door hole and place in the cage for a warm bed area.
Being out of the elements should help a lot even if it's a bit chillier out there.

chocdonuty

lozza1985 wrote: »

I'd carry on with the oil radiator - we use one in our conservatory (we have 2 house cats and that their "bedroom" lol) - it makes a huge difference having it on a low setting for a few hours periodically thoroughout the day (we have it on a timer). The conservatory is very cold without it and it's not exactly great at keeping heat in during winter, but just that oil radiator makes a big difference, you might not notice the difference very much as it would still be colder in there compared to the rest of the house, but it'll be warmer with it than without. Is there anywhere that drafts come through? Perhaps put blankets over anywhere that any noticeable drafts come through. We're getting guinea pigs this weekend, and I bought a little plastic igloo for them to snuggle into, that I'll put in their run, it wasn't very much from pets at home, or you could put a small cardboard box in with bedding in to give them somewhere to snuggle into if they feel chilly.

Are you're new guinea pigs going to be outside? just wondering as guinea pigs really aren't meant to be outside in winter as they come from hot countries not from here, their little bodies don't cope well with the cold and a plastic igloo will do nothing to keep them warm through our winters.
They can be kept outside but have to be kept warm with loads of insulation on the hutch and out of the wind/snow/rain. Indoors is best, plus you get to see them more and a lot easier to clean out when it's a windy minus 5! failing that a shed (heating preferred ) or garage would be ok (heating preferred )
I have 4 guineas in my lounge and love them being close and shouting to me whenever i rustle a bag or chop carrots!

pug_in_a_bed

I have a few of these, bit pricey but very handy
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SnuggleSafe-Microwave-Wireless-Heatpad-Fleece/dp/B0014LJKUA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1323876561&sr=8-3

Mine aren't chewers so occasionally they have a hot water bottle before bed, but I dont leave it in there overnight just in case

bugslet

I used to get stuff for the chinchillas from hammockyhammocks and know they did guinea pig blankets, don't know if that will help but could be worth a look.

RedFraggle

pug_in_a_bed wrote: »

I have a few of these, bit pricey but very handy
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SnuggleSafe-Microwave-Wireless-Heatpad-Fleece/dp/B0014LJKUA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1323876561&sr=8-3

Was going to suggest the very same thing.
Feed them extra too, they'll need more energy to keep them warm.

jenhug

i've got a reptile heat mat under our hamsters cage (syrian) its under one half, and it keeps the chill off, another option for you would be to box the cage in with cardboard etc to remove chances of draughts, and give them an enclosed bedroom so they can snuggle up together.

MarkyMarkD

You are a soppy lot!

We had 4 GPs who lived outside through many cold winters.

If you have more than one, they keep each other very cosy and snug in the sleeping section of their hutch, however cold it is outside. As long as they have plenty of clean bedding (and their water bottle doesn't stay frozen!) they are fine.