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We have had our piggies about 4-5weeks they are about 16weeks olds and doing great. Their hutch is in a well lit but unheated wooden shed, I put the thermometer in there and it is 10degrees but due to go down colder overnight so I am worried they will be too cold and have brought them inside in a large box (which is ok temporarily overnight but certainly not big enough otherwise). Does anyone have any advice on this? I’d prefer they weren’t inside permanently as nowhere to put them but I’ve read that they shouldn’t b kept outside in less than 15degrees..... it’s about 18degrees in the kitchen where they are.
 
PigglePuggle said:
Got my snugglesafes and my new fleecy tunnels from Cavy Couture at the ready, and a lot of extra hay (plus the heating on for half an hour at 11pm and 5am) :)
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A boiler engineer told me its more economicol to keep your heating on a set temperature, that way your boiler isnt working hard everytime to keep getting your house up to temp. ( central heating)
 
Mine are indoor piggies but I still have snuggle pouches and warm beds on top of their fleece lining for them. They also have many stuffed toys to snuggle with.
I am in US and winter in Michigan can be pretty vicious with lots of snow.
 
Patchandginger said:
We have had our piggies about 4-5weeks they are about 16weeks olds and doing great. Their hutch is in a well lit but unheated wooden shed, I put the thermometer in there and it is 10degrees but due to go down colder overnight so I am worried they will be too cold and have brought them inside in a large box (which is ok temporarily overnight but certainly not big enough otherwise). Does anyone have any advice on this? I’d prefer they weren’t inside permanently as nowhere to put them but I’ve read that they shouldn’t b kept outside in less than 15degrees..... it’s about 18degrees in the kitchen where they are.
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Welcome.
Very recently, one of the members finished an outdoor home for piggies and I love how it came out. There is a thread @Jamston started as the piggy house was being built step by step. She might be able to help you because mine are indoor piggies.
 
Just heating snuggle safes now for my shed dwelling piggies, as well as bundling up more hay.
Patchandginger said:
We have had our piggies about 4-5weeks they are about 16weeks olds and doing great. Their hutch is in a well lit but unheated wooden shed, I put the thermometer in there and it is 10degrees but due to go down colder overnight so I am worried they will be too cold and have brought them inside in a large box (which is ok temporarily overnight but certainly not big enough otherwise). Does anyone have any advice on this? I’d prefer they weren’t inside permanently as nowhere to put them but I’ve read that they shouldn’t b kept outside in less than 15degrees..... it’s about 18degrees in the kitchen where they are.
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If you look in the housing and seasonal care section of this site, there is a lot of information on how to keep piggies outside safely.
My boys live in a hutch in my unheated shed. It may not be heated, but simply being out of the wind and rain makes a difference. All hideys, beds and the entire hutch get really stuffed with hay. Their beds are under bendy wooden log huts in the bedroom section of the hutch. The bedroom part has a piece of vetbed on the bottom (which retains their body heat when they lay on it) and then a lot of hay. I lay fleece blankets over the top of the bendy log huts and a little way down the entrances like curtains to hold the heat in. I then put a snugglesafe inside each at night time (I may use them during the day as necessary). The huts are big enough that they can both get in one bed if they want to snuggle together. I have a thick blanket over the hutch (that goes down all four sides) and then a thermal hutch cover that. I then have a double duvet which sits over the whole thing and gets pulled over most of the front of the hutch (leaving ventilation space) at night but I only pull the duvet down when outside temperatures are due to be less than 5 degrees. During the colder day times, I will lift the blanket up and only leave the clear cover of the thermal cover over the front of the hutch so help retain warmth but allow light in. I don’t leave the shed door open all the time but I just open it a touch for a short time at the warmest part of the day for some ventilation.
I am fairly lucky with my shed in that heat does tend to accumulate in it from even a little bit of sunshine shining in (which is great in winter (as I can monitor the temperatures and pull covers over the hutch to trap the warmth inside) but a nightmare in summer). I have a thermometer hanging on the outside of the shed and one inside the hutch and there is often a good difference between them simply because the hutch it out of the wind. I can physically feel it is warmer in the shed than outside, and then it is warmer inside the hutch than in the shed. I’ve just been out to check on my two and the outside temp is 3 degrees but they are at 10 degrees in their hutch, their skin feels nice and warm to the touch and their bedding around them is warm and they are active and not sat huddled up. Even though I am pretty confident that i can keep them warm enough and I still have a few other ideas on how to add more warmth and what to do for them when it gets really cold, I still have a spare cage so I bring them indoors if it gets too much (hubby isn’t pleased about that though!)
 
Patchandginger said:
We have had our piggies about 4-5weeks they are about 16weeks olds and doing great. Their hutch is in a well lit but unheated wooden shed, I put the thermometer in there and it is 10degrees but due to go down colder overnight so I am worried they will be too cold and have brought them inside in a large box (which is ok temporarily overnight but certainly not big enough otherwise). Does anyone have any advice on this? I’d prefer they weren’t inside permanently as nowhere to put them but I’ve read that they shouldn’t b kept outside in less than 15degrees..... it’s about 18degrees in the kitchen where they are.
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Hi!

Here is our cold and hot weather care information. Both guides are part of our new owners' guide collection which addresses all the areas we get the most questions and worries about and also puts you on the way of avoiding the biggest problem areas, like climate support and saving up for vet care/spotting illness.
Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs
Hot weather management and heat strokes
Temporary Housing Solutions?

Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

An unheated, uninsulated shed is sadly not a good place to keep guinea pigs in the extremes of weather, both hot and cold. Guinea pigs have evolved in dense grassland hiding in tunnels, abandoned sets or thick underground where temperatures remain comparatively stable and feeding during dawn and dusk when temperatures are not at their extreme. They should be treated like you treat tender plants. it is good that you have brought yours indoors.
Guinea pigs do best in the same temperature range as humans, i.e. between 15-25 C. If you feel like a coat, then they are cold, too. If you feel hot, they will have started to overheat already. They regulate their body temperature via the blood flow through the ears, which is not as efficient and quick as human sweating. :(

You are always welcome to ask any questions you have along the way in our Care sections, but you can also find lots of guides on a very wide range of topics via our guide shortcut on the top bar.
 
Skypipdot said:
A boiler engineer told me its more economicol to keep your heating on a set temperature, that way your boiler isnt working hard everytime to keep getting your house up to temp. ( central heating)
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Mine told me that too while trying to sell me a new fancy thermostat, but my house is over 100 years old so not too good with the insulation...
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Here is our cold and hot weather care information. Both guides are part of our new owners' guide collection which addresses all the areas we get the most questions and worries about and also puts you on the way of avoiding the biggest problem areas, like climate support and saving up for vet care/spotting illness.
Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs
Hot weather management and heat strokes
Temporary Housing Solutions?

Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

An unheated, uninsulated shed is sadly not a good place to keep guinea pigs in the extremes of weather, both hot and cold. Guinea pigs have evolved in dense grassland hiding in tunnels, abandoned sets or thick underground where temperatures remain comparatively stable and feeding during dawn and dusk when temperatures are not at their extreme. They should be treated like you treat tender plants. it is good that you have brought yours indoors.
Guinea pigs do best in the same temperature range as humans, i.e. between 15-25 C. If you feel like a coat, then they are cold, too. If you feel hot, they will have started to overheat already. They regulate their body temperature via the blood flow through the ears, which is not as efficient and quick as human sweating. :(

You are always welcome to ask any questions you have along the way in our Care sections, but you can also find lots of guides on a very wide range of topics via our guide shortcut on the top bar.
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Are they ok to be put out on the grass in their run when it’s 6 degrees and windy? Or is this too nippy for them? I have a cover for the run that I put on to protect them from the wind
 
Laura_Deakin said:
Are they ok to be put out on the grass in their run when it’s 6 degrees and windy? Or is this too nippy for them? I have a cover for the run that I put on to protect them from the wind
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Please don't piggies on the cold ground for any length of time unless it is dry and warm when you stand on the ground for 5 minutes with your bare feet. Always make sure that they have a warm dry hay filled safe space away from wind and weather and not in contact with a damp and cold ground if you let them out for a short run so they can get somewhere safe quickly as soon as they feel cold. Always make sure that your hutch is protected in this kind of weather - cold drafts can kill.

With the wind chill temperatures are around freezing right now. If you need a coat, then your piggies are cold, too!

GUINEA PIGS ARE NOT HARDY! They should not be exposed to the extremes of weather.

They can get ill if they are put out in the damp and cold, included not insulated hutches, sheds or garages. They can also die from heat stroke in hutches and on the lawn in hot weather.

Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time
 
I want to give my piggies some cosy things, should I buy them or would I be able to make them?
 
Wiebke said:
Please don't piggies on the cold ground for any length of time unless it is dry and warm when you stand on the ground for 5 minutes with your bare feet. Always make sure that they have a warm dry hay filled safe space away from wind and weather and not in contact with a damp and cold ground if you let them out for a short run so they can get somewhere safe quickly as soon as they feel cold. Always make sure that your hutch is protected in this kind of weather - cold drafts can kill.

With the wind chill temperatures are around freezing right now. If you need a coat, then your piggies are cold, too!

GUINEA PIGS ARE NOT HARDY! They should not be exposed to the extremes of weather.

They can get ill if they are put out in the damp and cold, included not insulated hutches, sheds or garages. They can also die from heat stroke in hutches and on the lawn in hot weather.

Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time
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Thank you! I’ve got a thermal cover over their hutch, should I put a duvet cover or anything on top of this yet? Or wait until it drops below 0 degrees? I don’t really know how to tell if my piggies are cold or not, I guess if I’m cold then they will be too. But is there any way to tell if they’re cold other than that?
 
Sophie Blane said:
I want to give my piggies some cosy things, should I buy them or would I be able to make them?
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I’ve made mine a little house out of fleece, there’s some YouTube tutorials that show you how to do it! Cheap and cheerful 😀
 
I have some old duvet covers and pillow cases and a fleece I got for them, I may be able to make something with them my only issue is that they pee in them...
 
Laura_Deakin said:
Thank you! I’ve got a thermal cover over their hutch, should I put a duvet cover or anything on top of this yet? Or wait until it drops below 0 degrees? I don’t really know how to tell if my piggies are cold or not, I guess if I’m cold then they will be too. But is there any way to tell if they’re cold other than that?
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Please buy a thermometer for your hutch and further insulate the hutch. Please read our cold weather guide which I have already linked to in an earlier post and which is also part of our new owners guide collection for further tips on keeping your guinea pigs warm and comfy through the winter months.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
 
Thankfully my boys live indoors but I've now collapsed their outdoor run and they will be confined to barracks til next year (With floor time obviously!) Just need hubby to sort the shed out (Technically an old coal house but we call it the indoor shed!) and I can get the run put in there.
 
Sophie Blane said:
I have some old duvet covers and pillow cases and a fleece I got for them, I may be able to make something with them my only issue is that they pee in them...
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They do pee in their fleecy furniture so you need plenty spare! Ziggy's piggies do some nice sleeping bags for smaller piggies, and for more generously proportioned piggies or ones who fight over everything Cavy Couture make excellent tunnels with 2 entrances that wash fine even at 60 degrees :) most of the smaller piggy fleece boutiques are very busy right now with lots of orders for the cold weather, Amazon sell some ready made fleecy things (often described as dog or cat beds) that might push you on a bit but these don't tend to withstand regular washes so well.
 
My piggies are thankfully in the warmest room in the house which is great in the winter but awful in the summer. Their run was stored away for the winter a few weeks ago now. No more outside time for them until next May unless we get a warm April
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Here is our cold and hot weather care information. Both guides are part of our new owners' guide collection which addresses all the areas we get the most questions and worries about and also puts you on the way of avoiding the biggest problem areas, like climate support and saving up for vet care/spotting illness.
Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs
Hot weather management and heat strokes
Temporary Housing Solutions?

Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

An unheated, uninsulated shed is sadly not a good place to keep guinea pigs in the extremes of weather, both hot and cold. Guinea pigs have evolved in dense grassland hiding in tunnels, abandoned sets or thick underground where temperatures remain comparatively stable and feeding during dawn and dusk when temperatures are not at their extreme. They should be treated like you treat tender plants. it is good that you have brought yours indoors.
Guinea pigs do best in the same temperature range as humans, i.e. between 15-25 C. If you feel like a coat, then they are cold, too. If you feel hot, they will have started to overheat already. They regulate their body temperature via the blood flow through the ears, which is not as efficient and quick as human sweating. :(

You are always welcome to ask any questions you have along the way in our Care sections, but you can also find lots of guides on a very wide range of topics via our guide shortcut on the top bar.
Click to expand...


I can’t have my two indoors permanently. Their hutch is in my shed - actually it’s a summer house. Their hutch is well insulated, but the shed is not. It is however, warmer in the actual hutch than it is outside - by 6 degrees this morning. Surely this is better than just having them out in the garden? I have done my research on what to do in my situation. Even the rspca/blue cross/Wood Green information I have looked at have said to keep them outside do x,y and z including moving into a sheltered position which mine are, yet here you say that an unheated, uninsulated shed is not good enough. They have two snugglesafes in their hutch but will be four as of tomorrow, as well as plenty of covered hideys and i can physically feel the warmth when I put my hand inside their hutch and particularly inside their beds. I now feel as if I’m doing totally the wrong thing.
 
Piggies&buns said:
I can’t have my two indoors permanently. Their hutch is in my shed - actually it’s a summer house. Their hutch is well insulated, but the shed is not. It is however, warmer in the actual hutch than it is outside - by 6 degrees this morning. Surely this is better than just having them out in the garden? I have done my research on what to do in my situation. Even the rspca/blue cross/Wood Green information I have looked at have said to keep them outside do x,y and z including moving into a sheltered position which mine are, yet here you say that an unheated, uninsulated shed is not good enough. They have two snugglesafes in their hutch but will be four as of tomorrow, as well as plenty of covered hideys and i can physically feel the warmth when I put my hand inside their hutch and particularly inside their beds. I now feel as if I’m doing totally the wrong thing.
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Please read the guides I have linked in my first post; they contain lots of useful tips on how you can keep your piggies stable and warm in a hutch. ;)
 
My piggies and bunnies are in there piggie playhouse. They've got a box stuffed with straw then I've covered the floor in hay and straw. The bunnies also have loads of hay and straw and I put some towels over their cages. I've ordered some thermal insulation stuff which should come in the next couple of days :)
 
My piggies are now indoors for the winter, luckily their C&C Cage arrived Thursday so was built straight away and they came indoors straight away too, glad I didn't wait now x
 
Sophie Blane said:
I have some old duvet covers and pillow cases and a fleece I got for them, I may be able to make something with them my only issue is that they pee in them...
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You could always put it in the washing machine once a week in a horsebag? Get a horsebag from Amazon to prevent their hay going into the machine, that’s what I do :)
 
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