Cold temperatures in UK tonight. Do I bring them in?

[Plumbo97]

Hello,

I am a new owner for 7 week old female guinea pig that I got yesterday for my guinea pig Ginger to keep company and I love them already!

I have not introduced them to each other yet but I think Ginger can heard them and being more curious. I want to quarantine the new baby’s till 2 weeks is finish so there no illness or anything.

I understand it best to not handle them for a few days as they need to get use to their surroundings but I am concerned for them for tonight. They will be outdoor piggies but in the shed with insulation as my Dad don’t want my guinea pigs living in the house. I do leave them snuggled heat pad and warm rice in a double layer of sock to keep warm last night and in the future. I live in the UK and I am not sure if some of you are aware but we will be facing freezing cold temperatures tonight and I will maybe have snow as I am in midland. I want to bring them in the house tonight to keep warm. Will it ruin the process of getting use to their surroundings? Do you think it is okay for me to bring the baby piggies in the house even tho they are scared of me as they do not know I am their food provider slave

Ginger is 5 years old, rehomed guinea pig and in her previous home, she live outside.

Ginger and the baby piggies are in separate cages but in the same room

Looking forward to your reply

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum

If they are inside now then they should stay inside until much later in the year - ideally they shouldn’t go back outside until April or May.
Baby piggies shouldn’t really be outside at this time of year at all particularly if they have come from an inside environment such as a pet shop - babies are particularly susceptible to cold conditions.
Any piggy which has been kept indoors until
Now hasn’t had any time to acclimatise to the cold temperatures of outside. Such acclimatisation has to take place during the summer months to allow them to be outside throughout September/October as it is gradually cooling down into winter.

They should not be exposed to sudden and extreme changes in temperature.
This means that if you bring outdoor piggies inside during a cold snap then they really shouldn’t be put back outside until April or May when all risk of frost has passed and night times are consistently warmer. Equally indoor piggies can’t go outside either.

If you really cannot keep them inside until April/may, then I would advise that you keep them in until this very cold snap passes.
Bond them with your older sow asap and put all three of them back outside into the shed when this cold snap is over and then ensure the shed is kept warm enough from then on.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

Here is our helpful cold weather care guide, which you may find helpful. Generally, we recommend to treat guinea pigs like tender plants. If you have them outside, then an insulated shed or a really well insulated hutch is a must.

Thread 'Cold Weather Care for Indoor and Outdoor Guinea Pigs'

Dec 11, 2022

1 Outdoor guinea pigs living in a hutch
- How to prepare your hutch for Winter
- Insulation
- Daily care
2 Outdoor guinea pigs living in a shed/garage
3 All outdoor guinea pigs
4 Indoor guinea pigs
- Preparing your cage
- Preparing the room


1 Outdoor guinea pigs living in a hutch

How to...

• Swissgreys
• cold weather care outdoor guinea pigs outdoor hutch shed snow wet weather winter
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Climate Environment & Travel

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