The sun shining and temperatures rising might be great news if you're a fan of Summer weather but if you’re a guinea pig, this season can be quite uncomfortable and potentially dangerous if not careful.
So as a responsible piggy parent, you might be wondering how you can keep your guinea pigs cool with no air conditioning. Here are 10 tips you can try to help your piggies beat the summer heat. Read on for more details!
What temperature is ideal for guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs are most comfortable in temperatures between 18°C - 23°C (65°F - 75°F). Anything outside of this range can be quite uncomfortable for them, and if the temperatures reach 26°C (78°F) and above, they end up at risk of heatstroke.
The reason higher temperatures are so dangerous is because guinea pigs are unable to sweat which is an important bodily function that keeps our bodies cool. So always keep an eye on temperatures, especially if your local authority has issued heat warnings. Remember that if you find the weather hot, your guinea pigs are likely find the heat much hotter due to their full-body of fur.
Now let's look at 10 simple ways to keep your guinea pigs nice and cool!
10 tips to keep your guinea pigs cool in the Summer
Tip #1: Use cold tiles
An easy way to help your guinea pigs cool off when needed is by chilling a ceramic tile in your freezer. The tile’s cold surface will provide your guinea pigs with a nice cool place to rest on top of. Before placing the cold tile into their home, be sure to wrap it in a tea towel to prevent them from coming into direct content with it. Otherwise it may be too cold - brrr!
Have at least two tiles so that you can swap them out throughout the day. Ceramic often cools down quite quickly when taken out of the freezer, so be sure you have other cooling options on standby to help keep your guinea pigs comfortable.
Tip #2: Feed hydrating foods
There are many guinea pig safe fruits and veggies out there that have a high water content which can aid hydration. A popular choice to help keep piggies hydrated is cucumber, which is made up of 96% of water. Now that’s a juicy veg! Try cutting up a few slices and watch your piggies happily munch away when the weather is warm.
As a rule of thumb, it's generally better to opt for veggies first when considering water holding foods. Some fruits can be high in water but also packed with natural sugars so moderation is key!
Check out our free care guide to learn more about all the safe foods that piggies can enjoy.
Tip #3: Try a cooling pad
If you don’t have ceramic tiles available, another simple way to help your guinea pigs beat the heat is with a cooling pad. Kavee's cool mat provides your piggies with a cool place to snuggle, which automatically cools them down when coming in direct contact with their paws. No need to pop it in the freezer!
As an alternative, you can also wet a clean towel, wring it out and place it somewhere in their cage. Just be sure to avoid any materials that have loose bobbles or fixings attached to them, as small buttons or embellishments can be a choking hazard if left for piggies to chew on. Safety first!
Tip #4: Give them a frozen water bottle
Another summer cooling trick is to fill an empty bottle with water and then freeze it in your freezer. Make sure you choose a sturdy bottle that won't break or leak after freezing, and cover it with a towel to ensure your guinea pigs don't come in direct contact with the cold surface. While this DIY option is super easy, it does present the challenge of the bottle leaking, cooling down too quickly, or the towel not remaining in place and causing freezer burn.
Kavee has come up with a solid freezable bottle that prevents leakage, and comes with a neoprene sleeve to remain cool all day long. Simply pop the bottle in the freezer, add the sleeve, and leave it in your guinea pigs' cage for them to cool down for a full 24 hours before needing to refill it and freeze it again!
Tip #5: Provide fresh water
Fresh water is key for your guinea pigs to stay well hydrated in the summer heat! Be sure to frequently check their water bottle levels and top up when needed.
You should also keep in mind that water bottles and bowls can get dirty fast, so always include a good scrub of their bottle/bowl as part of your cleaning routine.
Tip #6: Set up a fan in the room
Now that we have some cooling tips for the inside of your guinea pig's cage, there are also things you can do to keep their environment cooler too!
If you have a spare fan available, try setting it up in the room your piggies are in to help circulate the air. Be careful to not point the fan at your guinea pigs or directly at their cage as this can have the opposite effect and make things too cold!
Tip #7: Avoid direct sunlight
For a similar reason to fans, avoid having your guinea pigs in an area with direct sunlight to prevent them from overheating. Sunny areas include windows or conservatoires. If your guinea pigs’ cage is set up near a window, consider moving them to an alternative area.
Tip #8: Create shaded areas
If you are unable to move your piggies away from windows or, if your guinea pigs are enjoying some outdoor time, be sure to provide plenty of shaded areas for them to take cover under.
You can place a blanket or fleece liner to cover half of their cage or outdoor run to provide a quick area of shade. Just avoid covering the entire top of your guinea pig's cage in order to allow proper air circulation and ventilation!
Tip #9: Consider location
Where do you keep your guinea pigs? Rooms located in the upper part of your home are often warmer than lower parts of the house as the heat rises. If you have a basement, you’ve probably noticed that the room is one of the coolest places in the house, however it's also an area that's quite damp and so wouldn't be suitable for piggies.
Consider moving your guinea pigs to a cooler spot in your home, even if it's just by a couple of degrees. They’ll thank you for it!
Tip #10: Trim back excess hair
We love guinea pig hairdos especially when it comes to long-haired guinea pig breeds. If you happen to have a guinea pig with long hair, you’ll know how important it is to stay on top of those luscious locks to prevent matting!
As pretty as piggy fur can be, the summer heat can quickly turn all that hair into one hot mess, making your guinea pig uncomfortable. So get your grooming kit out and remove some of that excess hair to give your piggies some relief!
Conclusion
We hope you find our 10 summer tips helpful to keep your guinea pigs cool in the heat! To recap, keep an eye on temperatures and move your guinea pig cage away from direct heat and somewhere else cooler, even if just a few degrees. You can then use things like cool pads, freezable bottles, and fans to further cool down your piggies.
Ultimately, your best ally in the fight against heatstroke is a well-ventilated cage that meets all of your piggies' needs. So make sure you check out our C&C guinea pig cages to find the one right for you, or use our Cage Builder to create your piggy's dream home in just 5 simple steps!
