The hot weather

[Englishblokey]

Hey, I have 3 long haired guinea pigs and they really do hate the hot weather. They are fine in the garden as long as it’s 24degrees or below. Anything more like it has been over the weekend and they become very uncomfortable. Upon coming home today my other half found a very uncomfortable pig perhaps suffering heat stroke and she spent 2 hours nursing the pig back to its rightful self. I’m moving the pigs indoors tomorrow morning, but I am wondering what you guys all do to keep your pigs cool? I’m in a south facing garden and they are not in a shed. They have shelter but I still don’t feel comfortable with them outside with one who is seemingly very uncomfortable in the heat.

 

[Guineautopia]

This guide should help
Hot Weather Management And Heat Strokes

 

[Wiebke]

Hey, I have 3 long haired guinea pigs and they really do hate the hot weather. They are fine in the garden as long as it’s 24degrees or below. Anything more like it has been over the weekend and they become very uncomfortable. Upon coming home today my other half found a very uncomfortable pig perhaps suffering heat stroke and she spent 2 hours nursing the pig back to its rightful self. I’m moving the pigs indoors tomorrow morning, but I am wondering what you guys all do to keep your pigs cool? I’m in a south facing garden and they are not in a shed. They have shelter but I still don’t feel comfortable with them outside with one who is seemingly very uncomfortable in the heat.

Hi!

- Please bring them inside into the coolest downstairs room that is most out of the sun and pull the curtains. Make sure that it is well aired and as cool as possible in the mornings so temperatures cannot climb as much during the day and ideally don't go over 25 C which is the limit where piggies that are not used to a tropical climate really start suffering.
Use our additional cooling tips for the day; we have got a whole list of them, including what you need to do with heat stroke. An hutch or run in the sun can quickly become a death trap!
Hot Weather Management And Heat Strokes
Fly Strike

- Give your piggies a radical shorthair cut; the long hair is as insulating as wearing a ski suit on a tropical beach. The hair will have grown back by the autumn, so don't worry! It may not look as pretty, but it is a life saver!

Here is my Caron and her summer cut as an example:

 

[Englishblokey]

Thank you for your post. The hutch is now indoors and they moved in this morning. I still wasn’t happy so Rose went to the vet this morning and has been given some ‘recovery food’. The hair cut has happened and to be honest she is probably back to herself 50%.
I'm very new to the guinea pig world and the last two days have been scary, even more for poor Rose.
The help found on the group was brilliant. Thank you.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your post. The hutch is now indoors and they moved in this morning. I still wasn’t happy so Rose went to the vet this morning and has been given some ‘recovery food’. The hair cut has happened and to be honest she is probably back to herself 50%.
I'm very new to the guinea pig world and the last two days have been scary, even more for poor Rose.
The help found on the group was brilliant. Thank you.

Hi! Here are our syringe feeding tips for first time users. If you find that she is not picking up well, contact your vet again and if necessary, ask for gut stimulants.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Keep your girls as cool as you can. A frozen drinks bottle, wrapped in a towel is something that you should be able to improvise at any time at home. It really makes a difference to the surrounding air.

Make sure that you air your house/flat well before you leave in the morning so it is as cool as possible and will not heat up as much during the day when you then pull all curtains where you get the full sun on.