11 Trusted Tips For Taking Care Of Guinea Pigs In Winter

In Care by Ana M

According to the Animal Welfare League the ideal temperature for the healthy living of guinea pigs is between 64 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything below or higher this range can cause a potential damage to piggy’s health. That is why it is very important to pay more attention to guinea pigs in winter months. Here are my go-to tips which will help you to take care of your piggy when its cold outside.

Tip #1 – Assess your room

I always recommend to start with the room where you keep piggy’s cage. Make sure that there is no drafts and high humidity levels as these factors increase the chances of getting a cold. That is why don’t keep the cage in the places like garage, laundry room or the bathroom. When looking for the draft-free area remember to stay away from the doors and windows and don’t place the cage on the elevated surface.

Tip #2 – Add extra bedding

guinea pigs in winter

It is a natural instinct for guinea pigs to bury themselves in the bedding to stay warm as the temperature decreases. Therefore, use more bedding in comparison to what you provide in the warmer months. Now, which bedding to use? Wood shavings sound like an easy to get and affordable option but it’s not the best one for guinea pigs. It quickly gets damp and enhances the chances of getting fungal infections as well as development of respiratory problems. The best and easiest solution is to use shredded newspaper or maybe to lay fleece at the bottom of the cage. Top it with the generous amount of hay!

Tip #3 – Space is key!

To provide spacious cage for guinea pigs in winter is very important as well as throughout the whole year. However, during the colder months piggies tend to spend more time in their cages without a desire to go outside. Especially if you own a pair of piggies they can become territorial and can start fighting for the space. So, always make sure to get the biggest cage possible. I have a tutorial on how to make a spacious cage for your pet, so give it a try if you don’t have one yet!

Tip #4 – Keep your piggy dry

It is very important to keep your pet dry. Apart from wet bedding being uncomfortable, it is very cold and can freeze. Also, the wet bedding provides ideal conditions for the growth of mold leading to the respiratory and fungal infections, which can be fatal to your pet. Change the bedding regularly! Moreover, you can use Snuggle Safe heating pads which you can heat up in the microwave and place under the bed during the night time. These serve as a good source of additional warmth but remember to allow air to circulate. This stops mold from building up. The pads stay warm for up to 12 hours.

guinea pigs in winterTip #5 – Use a max/min thermometer

To make sure your little animal doesn’t get too cold use a max/min thermometer in the room where the cage is. That way you will know exactly when you need to turn on the heating or if it is getting too hot. Remember that the sudden drop in temperatures damages guinea pig’s health. You can use any model you want, I personally use a digital thermometer with large LCD screen to see the values straight away. I couldn’t find the same model which I have at home, but this is a similar one 🙂

Tip #6 – Maintain a healthy diet

guinea pigs in winter

Pay more attention to the healthy diet during the colder months to combat the cold. Make sure to feed your pet plenty of leafy greens and fresh veg like cabbage, corn, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. The hay should also make up 85% of the healthy guinea pig’s diet. The general rule is to eat their body weight amount of hay every day. Store hay and other foods away from the mice and rats as they can pass diseases to your piggy. Then, remove the old food regularly to prevent the development of mold and damp.

Tip #7 – Keep the water from freezing

guinea pigs in winterWhether you are using a water bottle or a bowl you need to keep the water warm. If you are using a bowl, place it on the heated Snuggle safe pad to keep it warm enough for piggy to drink. However, the problem with a bowl is that your piggy can easily flip it and wet itself and  the bedding. As you can imagine it doesn’t lead to good results. So, at least consider getting a ceramic bowl or a water bottle. I recommend wrapping a bottle in a piece of fleece to keep it insulated or you can even you a sock! Also, checking the water before going to bed and the first thing in the morning is a must.

Tip #8 – Keep them active!

Similar to humans there is no better way for guinea pigs of getting warm as by doing exercises. Running around in the cage through the tunnels and into the hideout house. This also helps to resolve the territorial behavior. Don’t forget about the “floor time” especially if it is too cold to be outside. Try to get the most natural products possible, like 100% grass tunnels or wooden houses to recreate the natural habitat.

Tip #9 – Organize the perfect bed time

Make some really warm and cozy spots for your pet to snuggle in. Where you are planning to locate the sleeping area put a cardboard with the turned edges at the bottom of the cage to prevent drafts. Then you can make a bed out of the cardboard box, cardboard  is a perfect insulator by the way. Also, you can take a plastic cat carrier and lay it with the fleece blanket or towel. There are some really good fleece snuggle beds on the market as well, so give one of them a go!

Tip #10 – Go to the vet

Don’t think that if your guinea pig is inside all the time it can’t get sick. Go to the vet for the regular checkups just to be safe. Take a note of the behavior changes as well as physical ones. You can find more information in the full guide on health and well-being of guinea pigs here.

Tip #11 – Love your pet!

There is no better advice I can give you apart from loving your pet! If you pay attention to your piggy and spend some time playing your pet is definitely going to stay healthy. Just treat them as you would treat yourself (or maybe even better 🙂 )!

I hope you found these tips useful and please share your go-to tips when it comes to caring after guinea pigs in winter.