Keeping indoor pigs warm

[Beautifulmess]

Hi, I've 4 pigs, 2 who live alone, 2 together. I can't afford to heat everyroom in my flat constantly, so I need to know whats best to keep them warm. Atm they're on Aubiose and 3 of the pigs have wooden (bark) houses and the other has a plastic igloo, one is a bit unwell so I gave him a snuggle sack instead but they get wet so quickly.

I cover each cage with a fleese at night, but still don't think it's warm enough. I think the sick pick suffers with hayfever so I don't like to give him tons and tons of hay

any suggestions?

I only have 2 snuggle sacks.

 

[lizzie_71]

I think if they are inside and therefore protected from frost, rain, snow etc then you don't need to worry too much (although someone with more knowledge may contradict me).

We have a largish house and don't have the heating on at night at all - it goes off at 10.30pm and switches on again in the morning just before we get up. So the guinea pigs sleep in an unheated room overnight (as do I and the rest of the family) and they have always been fine.

 

[Beautifulmess]

I might not put the heating on at all sometimes just because I'm unemployed and can wrap in layers, I know the pigshave hair, altho africa is missing his stomach/chest hair atm. I heard a small cardboard stuffed with hay is pretty decent? Or fleese.

 

[CiaraPatricia]

Maybe you could give them hay in their houses or in a cardboard box, and maybe give shredded paper to the sick one? Just anything they can snuggle into really. I'm sure they'll be fine though, because they are indoors, it's gotta be better than outdoors.

 

[Chshipley]

I think your piggies are very lucky living indoors, and I'm sure they'll be warm enough inside. A lot of people keep their piggies outside - they have no choice. Mine live in a stable and they're warm enough with daily top ups of hay and straw. Wish I could keep mine inside...

 

[Romily]

Sounds as if you are caring for their needs already, to keep draughts out you could put a fleece over their cages at night and lift the frint during the day.

 

[lovelygirl]

Hi, piggies in general can cope with a reasonable range of temperatures, what they really struggle with is large fast changes in temperatures, so not turning the heating on is probably better for them then constantly turning it on and off. My piggies are indoor piggies and we have not put the heating on yet (have no plans to till mid october), i have not noticed any change in their behaviour so they are not displaying as they are cold. If you can find the money in the first instance (maybe only for your sick piggy) then snugglesafes which are pet friendly hot water bottles that you heat in the microwave that he can choose how much warmth he wants from it. I have two and none of my 3 piggies are particularly interested in them but it is probably that are not cold! I use them for me as they stay hot for upto 8 hours!