Caring for Cavies in Extreme Cold

If cavies lived in an ideal world, the temperature would never drop below 18'C or above 22'C, with a relative humidity of 45-70% and a 12-16h light/day cycle. In the real world, clearly they can survive conditions that differ from the ideal.  However temperatures over 30'C are not well tolerated, particularly by long haired breeds, older cavies and pregnant sows. Likewise all cavies are more vulnerable particularly older ones and newborns at temperatures below 17'C.

It is important to remember that cavies or guinea pigs as we know them are an entirely domesticated animal. They do not have incredibly long life spans and as such they are not terribly hardy. They do have wild relatives but these animals are quite distant in needs and requirements. The environment of domestic cavies needs to be comfortable and of stable temperature. Drastic changes in temperature can cause physical trauma and even death. 

Indoor housing offers a better protected, sheltered and overall safer environment. This may be in the family home, a specially built dwelling, shed, verandah or awning. If you choose to keep cavies outside in winter then extra management is definitely going to be necessary.

Keeping a thermometer close to hand on or in the guinea pigs environment can help you monitor fluctuations in temperature.The risks of cold weather include but are not limited to upper respiratory infections, pneumonia and related conditions, hypothermia and also arthritis pain in joints for older cavies.

How To Keep Your Cavies Warm

 

Keep them in pairs or groups- All girl groups or bonded male pairs work best. Unless you specifically have a different sex pair together for breeding. Either way, the concept is simple - more bodies, more warmth.

Lift the cage/hutch from the ground-  The ground is cold. Use wood or bricks to raise the hutch up but ensure the base is covered. You don't want to create a draft or space for predators to enter. 

 Cover your hutches- Blankets, doonas, heavy duty shade cloth, cardboard or shop bought cage covers all help to reduce drafts and provide further shelter from the chill of the winter air. Ensure that there is always adequate ventilation though, you don't want to suffocate your cavies!

Rice socks- A very simple, innovative and inexpensive idea. Stuff and old sock with rice, stitch the opening closed. Pull another sock over this from the opposite direction and then stitch it closed as well. Heat the rice sock in the microwave for 60 seconds to create a heat source that should last for hours.

Piggy pouches and snuggle beds- Cavies will burrow to keep warm during winter. A wonderful way to ensure your cavy has a warm place to snuggle is a piggy pouch, happy sack, snuggle bed or similar item. These are often available for purchase at cavy shows and there are also many members of the fancy making and selling them online. You can also make your own at-home variety by clipping polar fleece material into a plastic lunch box.

Hidey boxes with hay- Dry, fresh hay has excellent insulating properties. An appropriately sized cardboard box with an opening cut into it can be stuffed with hay to provide a warm area for hiding during cold nights. Alternately you can leave the cardboard box empty and cover it with a towel.

Piggy sized blankets- Providing small, warm blankets made from old clothes or a warm fleece material gives your cavies something to burrow under and stay warm. 

Whatever methods you use, the most important thing to remember is all bedding needs to be fresh and dry. As cute as little snuggle houses and piggy blankets are, they will soon become soaked with urine, wet and soiled from faecal matter and dropped food. They will then begin to stink and harbour bacteria. I cannot over-express the importance of changing your cavies bedding frequently. Dispose of cardboard boxes regularly and replace them with new ones. Remove and replensih hay and other litter/bedding materials. Collect all blankets, snuggle beds and other material items daily. Air them out in sunshine during the warmest part of the day and then return them in the afternoon. Take the time to hand-wash them when they become soiled and dry them well before returning them to the hutches.

How To Keep Your Cavies Healthy When It's Cold

Provide lots of nutritious food- Don't let your cavies go without, particularly in winter. Increase your cavies vitamin c intake. Use a feed/pellet that is fortified with vitamin c and also offer more fruits and vegetables with high vitamin levels. Parsley, capsicum, coriander, tomatoes, carrots, rocket, cos lettuce and other green fresh leafy green vegetables can help increase your guinea pigs immune system and strengthen the body to better combat illness. 

Weigh your cavies weekly- One of the first signs of illness is often weight loss. Keep a record that you can refer to, so that weight loss can be easily detected. Cavies are a prey animal that have evolved to hide almost all signs of illness. You often won't know they are sick until their condition is severe. 

Know what you are looking for- The symptoms of hypothermia include rapid, shallow breathing, shivering, a slowed pulse rate, paling of mucous membranes, being cool to the touch, the hair on their coat may stand on end (in an effort to insulate the body) and they may become listless, lethargic and unwilling to eat or drink. Not all symptoms may be present.

Know what to do- If your cavy is showing symptoms of cold related issues bring them inside immediately. However, do not try to warm them up too quickly. Place them on dry bedding and put a fleecy blanket or towel over their body to help insulate their body heat. Offer small sips of water and contact your nearest small animal vet for further advice.