What is best for my piggies :((

[JuliaGuineaPiggy]

Hey guys I need some help with advice ( I’m moving to Poland soon and I have 7 piggies which I love so much. However in Poland the weather is so extreme. They’ve been struggling this summer with the heat and in England it’s way cooler than In Poland. And also the winter gets below freezing. My grandparents will never let them in the house under any circumstances (they’re extremely old fashioned. I don’t want to give them away as I’d never stop worrying about how they’re being treated I don’t know what would be best for them. It’ll break my heart more than anything getting rid of them

 

[JuliaGuineaPiggy]

In more detail for those that want to read, they’d be kept in our barn, my grandma wouldn’t ever let me have anything like heaters and fans in there as they think it’s ridiculous. I was thinking of having something like this built or my grandad will build it, but that still wouldn’t help with the weather situation I’m just so stuck as they’re really getting old now and need to be looked after now so I need to move, but I don’t want to leave my babies they’re my reason to get up every morning and I can’t imagine my life without their sweet little faces

 

[JuliaGuineaPiggy]

Something like this

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry you’re in such a difficult situation. Please forgive my lack of knowledge but how cold and hot does it get in Poland? Is there anywhere else/another relative’s house where you would be able to keep them for a given period of time? Is the plan to eventually move to live by yourself or is the living with grandparents an almost permanent setup?

I think the issue with the pictures you’ve posted above would be that there isn’t really any shelter from the cold. In general, sheds are a few degrees warmer than outside when it’s cold. But it would need to be solid walls, and maybe insulated. However, given the extreme temperatures that appear to be there, you may struggle to keep them warm enough when it’s bitterly cold.

The other problem would be in summer when sheds can get hot, hotter than outside. If you don’t have the option to bring them in, how would you keep them cool? Is there a cellar where they could be kept, away from the main parts of the house? Or would your grandmother relent and let you keep them in your room?

I know it’s extremely difficult and you don’t want to give them up. Worrying about how they would do is all part and parcel of being a piggy slave. The one thing I would say is that if you did come to the conclusion that you had to give them up, your best bet would be to surrender them to a rescue (one from the recommended list). They are pretty stringent in terms of who they will rehome to and so they would be going to a suitable home. If you decide to do this, you need to think about the time frame as they can be full and you may struggle to find one to take them on.

I wish you all the best with your decision. I know it’s a tough one and I’m sorry that I can’t really help you.

 

[JuliaGuineaPiggy]

I’m sorry you’re in such a difficult situation. Please forgive my lack of knowledge but how cold and hot does it get in Poland? Is there anywhere else/another relative’s house where you would be able to keep them for a given period of time? Is the plan to eventually move to live by yourself or is the living with grandparents an almost permanent setup?

I think the issue with the pictures you’ve posted above would be that there isn’t really any shelter from the cold. In general, sheds are a few degrees warmer than outside when it’s cold. But it would need to be solid walls, and maybe insulated. However, given the extreme temperatures that appear to be there, you may struggle to keep them warm enough when it’s bitterly cold.

The other problem would be in summer when sheds can get hot, hotter than outside. If you don’t have the option to bring them in, how would you keep them cool? Is there a cellar where they could be kept, away from the main parts of the house? Or would your grandmother relent and let you keep them in your room?

I know it’s extremely difficult and you don’t want to give them up. Worrying about how they would do is all part and parcel of being a piggy slave. The one thing I would say is that if you did come to the conclusion that you had to give them up, your best bet would be to surrender them to a rescue (one from the recommended list). They are pretty stringent in terms of who they will rehome to and so they would be going to a suitable home. If you decide to do this, you need to think about the time frame as they can be full and you may struggle to find one to take them on.

I wish you all the best with your decision. I know it’s a tough one and I’m sorry that I can’t really help you.

Thank you for always being so helpful. I’m trying to reason with them and let me make a huge setup for them somewhere around the house. It’s a farm and we have loads and loads of land so there’d be plenty of space to build something, it’s just getting them to agree. I should be really excited to move as I’ve wanted to my whole life but all I can do is worry about my babies I’m thinking the photos I posted as summer houses and have something more secure in the winter. I have heat pads etc and I know that wouldn’t be enough but I’m sure I’d be able to figure something out. I was thinking as well in the summer to put shallow amounts of water into their enclosures, as I know they’ll get a cold if they get a chill but it gets to 40 degrees (in the shade) so could they still get a chill if they’ve been in water? I’ve got my heart set on making it work but it’s really difficult to convince people that are very stuck in their ways

 

[JuliaGuineaPiggy]

I’m sorry you’re in such a difficult situation. Please forgive my lack of knowledge but how cold and hot does it get in Poland? Is there anywhere else/another relative’s house where you would be able to keep them for a given period of time? Is the plan to eventually move to live by yourself or is the living with grandparents an almost permanent setup?

I think the issue with the pictures you’ve posted above would be that there isn’t really any shelter from the cold. In general, sheds are a few degrees warmer than outside when it’s cold. But it would need to be solid walls, and maybe insulated. However, given the extreme temperatures that appear to be there, you may struggle to keep them warm enough when it’s bitterly cold.

The other problem would be in summer when sheds can get hot, hotter than outside. If you don’t have the option to bring them in, how would you keep them cool? Is there a cellar where they could be kept, away from the main parts of the house? Or would your grandmother relent and let you keep them in your room?

I know it’s extremely difficult and you don’t want to give them up. Worrying about how they would do is all part and parcel of being a piggy slave. The one thing I would say is that if you did come to the conclusion that you had to give them up, your best bet would be to surrender them to a rescue (one from the recommended list). They are pretty stringent in terms of who they will rehome to and so they would be going to a suitable home. If you decide to do this, you need to think about the time frame as they can be full and you may struggle to find one to take them on.

I wish you all the best with your decision. I know it’s a tough one and I’m sorry that I can’t really help you.

We have a basement but it’s dark in there and can barely see anything, could put the light on obviously but I feel like animals need daylight and I’ll feel awful if I just stick them in some dark horrible place and leave them. I just can’t stop thinking about it

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear of your dilemma.

Putting water into enclosures will not help. Piggies shouldn’t be getting wet anyway but they keep cool through blood flow to their ears. Being in water will not keep them cool if the air temperature is above their comfort levels.
They can adjust to higher temperatures given enough time, but even so, 40 degrees in the shade would deeply concern me. You would need advice from someone from another country who is used to dealing with higher temperatures - the issue you may find is that a lot of those people have to keep them inside because outside is just dangerously hot.

 

[JuliaGuineaPiggy]

I’m sorry to hear of your dilemma.

Putting water into enclosures will not help. Piggies shouldn’t be getting wet anyway but they keep cool through blood flow to their ears. Being in water will not keep them cool if the air temperature is above their comfort levels.
They can adjust to higher temperatures given enough time, but even so, 40 degrees in the shade would deeply concern me.

I just want what’s best for them. I feel like staying with me is what’s best for them as then I know that they’re being well taken care of and loved and cuddles but I just don’t want them to suffer if they do stay with me. I really don’t think they’d let me have fans or heaters or anything like that and even frozen bottles I think just wouldn’t be enough in such heat. I don’t know any other ways to keep piggies cool or warm them up apart from heat pads and ice packs/bottles/pads

 

[Swissgreys]

I feel for you being in such a tough situation.
It does sound like the rest of your family are not really on board when it comes to how much you love your piggies.

The weather in Switzerland sounds similar to what you will be dealing with in Poland- much hotter Summers than the UK (and for far more prolonged periods) and very cold Winters.
The reality is that it is simply not possible to keep piggies outside in these climates - the weather extremes mean that nothing short of a properly built out building with full heating and cooling will be safe for piggies. We had originally planned to keep our piggies outside during the Summer and only have them indoors in the sub zero Winter temperatures, and were going to use a shed with power for light and heating/cooling year round to protect their hutch. Thankfully before we set everything up (the cost was going ot be very high) we spoke to a neighbour who also had piggies and she had tried the same thing. However she tragically lost two piggies one night when the temperatures unexpectedly dropped suddenly and they weren't acclimatised and she hadn't put the heating on. After that she moved her remaining piggies inside, but kept monitoring the temps in her shed, and even with heating they fluctuated wildly. The problem is not just extreme temperatures it is how much they very and how quickly they change - this just doesn't allow piggies the chance to calamities, and for several months of the year it is simply too hot or cold for them to be outside.

In a previous post you said you had one pair of pigs and five singles?
It would be almost impossible to keep so many hutches/cages suitable insulated and warm in Winter and then cooled in Summer without a specific purpose built shed. A regular barn would be impossible to control the conditions in to make sure they would be safe.

As difficult as it might be is there some way you could look into rehoming some of the piggies (a good rescue would also probabably be abel to bond them with a companion before rehoming) and just keep one or two of your current piggies and then have them inside.

I understand your grandmother might not want 7 piggies and 6 large cages in her house, but maybe if you could get it down to one or two cages (stacked) she would reconsider?

I appreciate this may not be what you want to hear, but believe me when I say I fully understand your concerns about the climate.
It has been over 30 degrees every day here for the past 6 weeks with only a handful of exceptions. Night time temperatures have rarely dropped below 25 degrees.
However this week it is still hot during the day (it was 31 today) but the night time temperatures have dropped dramatically and tonight it will get down to around 16 degrees. This is blissful relief for us humans, but those extreme fluctuations would be far too much for a guinea pig to manage.

 

[Swissgreys]

I just wanted to add that for the reasons outlined above, it is actually illegal to keep guinea pigs outside in Switzerland.
The bare minimum is a fully insulated outbuilding, with opening windows, lights, electric, running water, heating and cooling installed as a permeant set up.
If you could build something like that it could work, but in reality we are talking about a small house/cabin/tiny house, and the cost would be thousands (no matter what currency you are working in)!

If you will be working would it be possible for you to live nearby but independently from your grandparents, so you could have your own place and keep the piggies inside?

 

[Roselina]

Hello JuliaGuineaPiggy you are in a very difficult situation. As you’ll be living in your Grandma’s house you will have to abide by her rules. I really understand your dilemma ….I think tho having to house them outside would cause you greater anxiety and worry. Because you love them so much maybe you do have to let them go to a rescue …..that way you know they will still have a wonderful life. You will be putting your piggies well-being first.I’m sorry this sounds harsh but sometimes we have to let those we love go for some reasons. Just my personal observation. I wish you good luck

 

[JuliaGuineaPiggy]

I feel for you being in such a tough situation.
It does sound like the rest of your family are not really on board when it comes to how much you love your piggies.

The weather in Switzerland sounds similar to what you will be dealing with in Poland- much hotter Summers than the UK (and for far more prolonged periods) and very cold Winters.
The reality is that it is simply not possible to keep piggies outside in these climates - the weather extremes mean that nothing short of a properly built out building with full heating and cooling will be safe for piggies. We had originally planned to keep our piggies outside during the Summer and only have them indoors in the sub zero Winter temperatures, and were going to use a shed with power for light and heating/cooling year round to protect their hutch. Thankfully before we set everything up (the cost was going ot be very high) we spoke to a neighbour who also had piggies and she had tried the same thing. However she tragically lost two piggies one night when the temperatures unexpectedly dropped suddenly and they weren't acclimatised and she hadn't put the heating on. After that she moved her remaining piggies inside, but kept monitoring the temps in her shed, and even with heating they fluctuated wildly. The problem is not just extreme temperatures it is how much they very and how quickly they change - this just doesn't allow piggies the chance to calamities, and for several months of the year it is simply too hot or cold for them to be outside.

In a previous post you said you had one pair of pigs and five singles?
It would be almost impossible to keep so many hutches/cages suitable insulated and warm in Winter and then cooled in Summer without a specific purpose built shed. A regular barn would be impossible to control the conditions in to make sure they would be safe.

As difficult as it might be is there some way you could look into rehoming some of the piggies (a good rescue would also probabably be abel to bond them with a companion before rehoming) and just keep one or two of your current piggies and then have them inside.

I understand your grandmother might not want 7 piggies and 6 large cages in her house, but maybe if you could get it down to one or two cages (stacked) she would reconsider?

I appreciate this may not be what you want to hear, but believe me when I say I fully understand your concerns about the climate.
It has been over 30 degrees every day here for the past 6 weeks with only a handful of exceptions. Night time temperatures have rarely dropped below 25 degrees.
However this week it is still hot during the day (it was 31 today) but the night time temperatures have dropped dramatically and tonight it will get down to around 16 degrees. This is blissful relief for us humans, but those extreme fluctuations would be far too much for a guinea pig to manag

I feel for you being in such a tough situation.
It does sound like the rest of your family are not really on board when it comes to how much you love your piggies.

The weather in Switzerland sounds similar to what you will be dealing with in Poland- much hotter Summers than the UK (and for far more prolonged periods) and very cold Winters.
The reality is that it is simply not possible to keep piggies outside in these climates - the weather extremes mean that nothing short of a properly built out building with full heating and cooling will be safe for piggies. We had originally planned to keep our piggies outside during the Summer and only have them indoors in the sub zero Winter temperatures, and were going to use a shed with power for light and heating/cooling year round to protect their hutch. Thankfully before we set everything up (the cost was going ot be very high) we spoke to a neighbour who also had piggies and she had tried the same thing. However she tragically lost two piggies one night when the temperatures unexpectedly dropped suddenly and they weren't acclimatised and she hadn't put the heating on. After that she moved her remaining piggies inside, but kept monitoring the temps in her shed, and even with heating they fluctuated wildly. The problem is not just extreme temperatures it is how much they very and how quickly they change - this just doesn't allow piggies the chance to calamities, and for several months of the year it is simply too hot or cold for them to be outside.

In a previous post you said you had one pair of pigs and five singles?
It would be almost impossible to keep so many hutches/cages suitable insulated and warm in Winter and then cooled in Summer without a specific purpose built shed. A regular barn would be impossible to control the conditions in to make sure they would be safe.

As difficult as it might be is there some way you could look into rehoming some of the piggies (a good rescue would also probabably be abel to bond them with a companion before rehoming) and just keep one or two of your current piggies and then have them inside.

I understand your grandmother might not want 7 piggies and 6 large cages in her house, but maybe if you could get it down to one or two cages (stacked) she would reconsider?

I appreciate this may not be what you want to hear, but believe me when I say I fully understand your concerns about the climate.
It has been over 30 degrees every day here for the past 6 weeks with only a handful of exceptions. Night time temperatures have rarely dropped below 25 degrees.
However this week it is still hot during the day (it was 31 today) but the night time temperatures have dropped dramatically and tonight it will get down to around 16 degrees. This is blissful relief for us humans, but those extreme fluctuations would be far too much for a guinea pig to manage.

For some reason my family is very against keeping animals. They’ve grown up in a farm life and their whole life they have just seen animals as things to be used. They think it’s ridiculous that I have so many guinea pigs and they see them as vermin. The sad part is if they wanted to help me we could come up with a solution but they just look down on it. But I can’t stress enough how much I do not want to leave them. When I started buying them never would I have imagined I’d have to get rid of them I can’t sleep at nights as it’s all I can think about

 

[JuliaGuineaPiggy]

Hello JuliaGuineaPiggy you are in a very difficult situation. As you’ll be living in your Grandma’s house you will have to abide by her rules. I really understand your dilemma ….I think tho having to house them outside would cause you greater anxiety and worry. Because you love them so much maybe you do have to let them go to a rescue …..that way you know they will still have a wonderful life. You will be putting your piggies well-being first.I’m sorry this sounds harsh but sometimes we have to let those we love go for some reasons. Just my personal observation. I wish you good luck

Yeah that’s the upsetting part, I know climate wise it’s probably best for them to stay here, but I just can’t bear to imagine having to give them away. I am actually considering staying here until they all pass as I just can’t leave them, but my grandparents are getting pretty annoyed and they’re saying they want me to move soon and look after them or never I just don’t want to leave my babies as my mind will never rest wondering what happened to them and where they are now

 

[Roselina]

I understand and it’s so hard for you. Will you be a carer for your grandparents ?

 

[JuliaGuineaPiggy]

I understand and it’s so hard for you. Will you be a carer for your grandparents ?

yeah well that’s the plan, just a difficult one to decide on as it sounds ridiculous choosing piggies over people but i just can’t think of giving them away

 

[Swissgreys]

yeah well that’s the plan, just a difficult one to decide on as it sounds ridiculous choosing piggies over people but i just can’t think of giving them away

As a first step, so you have more information about all of the options, it might be worth contacting an approved rescue from our list.
This will allow you to not be forced into hasty decisions, and also let you talk things through with someone who is experienced and has the best interests of all parties at heart.

I fully understand that you can't even begin to think about surrendering your piggies right now, but if taking them with you will create additional stress, and may result in them becoming ill because they are not living in an appropriate environment, then you need to think carefully about what will work best for them and ultimately you as well.

A rescue may be able to help put your mind at ease about the care your piggies would receive if they were placed in new homes.
Or this may make you more determined to take them with you, in which case you need to come up with a solution for their housing before you move to Poland.

The one thing that won't change is the climate in Poland, so you need to have a clear and realistic plan in place before you travel, to make sure they are able to be properly cared for when you arrive.
It is also worth considering things like what veterinary care is available locally as well as how easy it is to source food and supplies.
When we moved to Switzerland we had multiple pets and we made a trip over in advance to find a house to rent, organise a car, etc. One of the things we did on that trip was to visit several pet shops to check we could source the food and outer items we needed, and I also made an appointment to have a chat with a local vet. People thought we were crazy going to such efforts just for our pets, but I knew that I would never forgive myself if I felt them all over, only to have something bad happen because we couldn't care for them properly in our new home.