The summer is finally taking off in the UK. Please be aware that your guinea pigs are not used to those warmer conditions and can easily overheat, causing heat exhaustion, gut stasis/loss of appetite, heart strain and fatal heat stroke - even in conditions that you may consider warm rather than hot.
Be aware that hutches/sheds and lawns can quickly become death traps; please bring your piggies inside during the hottest hours. Our hot weather guide has the largest collection of practical, tried and tested tips on how you can keep your living quarters as cool as possible and what measures you can additionally take for your guinea pigs, from the planned to the improvised - you will be surprised of the huge range of little things you can do. It is often the combination of a number of measures that is best. Don't think that you know it all - read up and then tweak what you are doing.
The good news is that if your piggies are staying away from a source of cold, they are not overheated; if they are plastered to it, they are very much so.
Here is the complete information on how to keep cool, how to spot heat exhaustion/stroke and what to do: Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike
It is vital that you keep any water cool and refreshed. Don't massively overfeed on watery veg that your piggies are not used to; it can cause diarrhea or bloating. Guinea pigs need constant access to cool fluid (either water with ice dissolving in it and/or a larger piece of cubumber that keeps cooler for longer when you are out for the day) but they don't sweat or pant, so they are not suddenly drinking lots more. If your piggies stop drinking water, then either the water is too hot/stale or you are overfeeding watery veg - and if they do not really or drink, then they have heat exhaustion or heat stroke and need to see a vet as soon as possible. Melon makes a nice snack but please don't overdo it. Cool water does contain a lot less sugar that cannot cause dysbiosis (overgrowth of the wrong kind of bacteria in the gut, resulting in an upset tummy).
More information on what to feed in hot weather: The temptation to overfeed watery veg and fruit in hot weather!
If you need to travel with your guinea pigs in hot weather (vet visits, holiday), please read up on how you can keep your piggies safe in a sun-heated car: Travelling with guinea pigs
Please ensure that any people looking after your guinea pigs during a holiday absence are also aware of the potential of heat stroke, can spot the signs, know which vet to contact and know what to do for hot weather protection: Tips For Organising Your Holiday Absence
Stay safe and keep your piggies safe!
PS: Please post a short answer to keep this thread bumped up over the weekend. There is nothing more devastating for an owner to come to terms with than a preventable death; the more you can help to prevent them from happening, the better. You are also welcome to post the guide links on your social media accounts. It can save lives!
Be aware that hutches/sheds and lawns can quickly become death traps; please bring your piggies inside during the hottest hours. Our hot weather guide has the largest collection of practical, tried and tested tips on how you can keep your living quarters as cool as possible and what measures you can additionally take for your guinea pigs, from the planned to the improvised - you will be surprised of the huge range of little things you can do. It is often the combination of a number of measures that is best. Don't think that you know it all - read up and then tweak what you are doing.
The good news is that if your piggies are staying away from a source of cold, they are not overheated; if they are plastered to it, they are very much so.
Here is the complete information on how to keep cool, how to spot heat exhaustion/stroke and what to do: Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike
It is vital that you keep any water cool and refreshed. Don't massively overfeed on watery veg that your piggies are not used to; it can cause diarrhea or bloating. Guinea pigs need constant access to cool fluid (either water with ice dissolving in it and/or a larger piece of cubumber that keeps cooler for longer when you are out for the day) but they don't sweat or pant, so they are not suddenly drinking lots more. If your piggies stop drinking water, then either the water is too hot/stale or you are overfeeding watery veg - and if they do not really or drink, then they have heat exhaustion or heat stroke and need to see a vet as soon as possible. Melon makes a nice snack but please don't overdo it. Cool water does contain a lot less sugar that cannot cause dysbiosis (overgrowth of the wrong kind of bacteria in the gut, resulting in an upset tummy).
More information on what to feed in hot weather: The temptation to overfeed watery veg and fruit in hot weather!
If you need to travel with your guinea pigs in hot weather (vet visits, holiday), please read up on how you can keep your piggies safe in a sun-heated car: Travelling with guinea pigs
Please ensure that any people looking after your guinea pigs during a holiday absence are also aware of the potential of heat stroke, can spot the signs, know which vet to contact and know what to do for hot weather protection: Tips For Organising Your Holiday Absence
Stay safe and keep your piggies safe!
PS: Please post a short answer to keep this thread bumped up over the weekend. There is nothing more devastating for an owner to come to terms with than a preventable death; the more you can help to prevent them from happening, the better. You are also welcome to post the guide links on your social media accounts. It can save lives!