When should I bring my guinea pigs indoors?

The RSPCA advise that temperatures below 15 degrees are too cold for Guinea Pigs, and that they should be kept indoors. Therefore, if you choose to let your Guinea Pig live outside in the winter, you should make a few changes to his hutch and environment to keep him warm and happy.

When should I bring my guinea pig in?

Guinea pigs do best between temperatures of around 15-24 degrees celsius. If it's getting a little damp and chilly outside, then it's a good idea to bring your guinea pigs in to ensure they don't get too cold. If it's below zero then they'll need to be brought inside.

How long can guinea pigs go outside?

How long should I keep my guinea pigs outside? Guinea pigs are recommended to have at least 1 hour outside of their cage, every day.

What temperature can guinea pigs go outside?

Guinea pigs can survive outside temperatures between 64°F and 73°F. On the other hand, if you live in places where the temperatures drop below 59°F or exceed 79°F, building a suitable outdoor shelter for your guinea pig will be better, especially if you plan to leave it outdoors all year long.

Do you bring guinea pigs inside for winter?

For guinea pigs, it's better to keep them inside in winter, in a conservatory or unused garage. If your guinea pig needs to stay outside, help keep them snug as a bug in their hutch by covering the front with an old blanket or sacking and adding extra bedding.

Why I Keep Guinea Pigs Indoors: Indoor Cages VS Outdoor Hutches?!

Is it cruel to keep guinea pigs outside?

Guinea pigs can live indoors or outdoors, so long as they have enough space and you can keep them at a comfortable temperature in the summer heat or bad winter weather. You can also keep your guinea pigs in their own heated outhouse, a car-free garage or a shed.

Is 60 degrees too cold for guinea pigs?

Some rodents, like ground squirrels or Eastern chipmunks, hibernate when the weather turns cold, but guinea pigs don't. Instead, guinea pigs are most comfortable in air temperatures of about 65°F to 75°F. Anything below about 60°F is probably too cold for your pig.

Should you cover a guinea pig's cage at night?

How Much of the Cage Should you Cover at Night? Covering the whole cage at night can create problems and affect your guinea pigs breathing. That means that you should only cover part of their cage at night. This ensures that the cage remains properly ventilated while still letting in some light.

Should I let my guinea pig run around the house?

Not only can you let your guinea pig run around your house, but you absolutely should. Still, that being said, there are a lot of “buts” that we want to throw in alongside that answer. Guinea pigs need plenty of free space and exercise. But they also need safety!

How long should I leave my new guinea pig alone?

Guinea pigs should never be left alone for more than 12 hours at a time. If you're going to be away for an extended period, your piggies must have everything they need to keep them healthy and comfortable, including lots of food, water and toys.

How often should I pick up my guinea pig?

Most guinea pigs love spending quality time with their owners, so handling them is enjoyable for all concerned. Once your guinea pig gets to know you, being hand-fed and petted become important parts of their lives. This means it's actually up to you how much you hold them - you can do so as often as you like.

Can I take my guinea pig on a walk?

You can "walk" a guinea pig on a leash, but don't try to get your guinea pig to go for outdoor walks. Unlike dogs and cats, cavies cannot successfully learn to go for leashed walks. Do not take your guinea pig onto a sidewalk in an attempt to get him to walk like your neighbor's miniature poodle.

How long should I wait to hold my new guinea pig?

They will be feeling a bit tender and very protective of their babies after the birth, so it's best to leave them alone for a month afterwards too. Baby guinea pigs should not be held at all for at least one week after birth, and must always be handled very gently.

Can guinea pigs survive outside?

Can guinea pigs live outside? Yes. Though if you make the decision to house them outdoors you'll need to put lots of thought into making sure they're safe. Guinea pigs are vulnerable to all extremes of weather (both very cold and very hot climates can be dangerous).

How do you pick up a guinea pig for the first time?

Let your guinea pig come over to you, and quietly pick him up by sliding your hand under his belly. Be careful not to crunch any of his legs. Instead, let them hang over your hand. Hold your guinea pig close to your chest to help him to feel secure.

What toys do guinea pigs play with?

How do you know if your guinea pig is cold?

How do I know if my pig is cold?

If a pig is shivering, coughing, snotty or has sunken eyes, it's time to warm them up fast. Dad says to pay attention to changes in the animal's basic routine and watch for changes in skin color, like a white hog turning red, to know if a pig is too cold or not.

At what temperature do pigs need a heat lamp?

At 48 inches off the floor, temperature can be maintained at 68° F (20° C) , but at the floor, or in this piglet zone, a constant temperature of 80-90° F (27 – 32° C) is desirable for much of the farrowing turn, or until animals are older and have less need for supplemental heat.

Do pigs like blankets?

If you have a pet pig, specifically a pet potbelly mini pig you know they love their blankets. Whether they live in your house or out in a barn, they love blankets. Olive loves her fleece blankets! I made the mistake of giving Bently any extra blanket I had.

Is 12 degrees too cold for guinea pigs?

The RSPCA advise that temperatures below 15 degrees are too cold for Guinea Pigs, and that they should be kept indoors. Therefore, if you choose to let your Guinea Pig live outside in the winter, you should make a few changes to his hutch and environment to keep him warm and happy.

Do guinea pigs like to be in the dark?

Yes, as your cavy's nighttime antics would suggest, guinea pigs do like the dark. However, that doesn't mean they're nocturnal animals. In fact, guinea pigs are crepuscular, which means they're most active at twilight.