Guinea Pig

[Annabel]

:) :)
Hi everyone, I was wondering i anyone could help me with my guinea pig. Its getting a but nippy now at night time and I dont know what to do for the best for my guinea! i have been putting extra straw in his hutch...but he seems to eat a lot of it...how do i keep him warm and snug? B)

should i put him in my garage? isnt that a bit mean as he wont be able to get out and forage around? :sad:

i dont want to bring him into the house itself, unless i totally have to. (mainly because i dont have anywhere that suitable for him or a decent hutch - but i could always buy one of course) :unsure:

please help!

[Enterian]

We've had Ginuea Pigs for years, we've always kept them outside. Make sure they have plenty of straw.

We've also always used an old towel or something similar and at night have draped it over the wire mesh part of the hutch in order to keep the draughts down. Weight it with stones when it's windy.

Only during really severe weather, have we moved the hutch into the shed, and then only until the weather improves.

In the wild they live in the Andes mountains and are really quite hardy.

hope this helps.

Enterian

[Eeyore]

I used to have rabbits , always kept them outside :)

I covered the outside of the cage with bubble wrap for extra insulation, during the winter months, and then made a nifty front cover out of clear plastic that I could pull down over the front (tied with a bungee, but still let ait in through the bottom and sides) when the weather got really bad. :D

[Annabel]

:) Thanks everyone for your suggestions...I think it is a good idea to change the type of bedding for him as he does eat so much hay its unbelievable...silly thing...we have loads of shredded paper at the office as well... :thumbs:

and i will buy some plastic bubble wrap or sheeting to put over the front of his hutch.... :thumbs: :thumbs:

and i will scour the internet for a guinea pig sized electric blanket!!! :D :lol: :P

thanks again!!! :notworthy:

[mazza]

But keep giving the Guinea pig plenty of hay regardless of whether you are going to change the type of bedding material :unsure: .

I know people who drape weighted down blankets over their hutch too but bubble wrap or plastic sheeting seems more sensible - at least it's waterproof :) .

And up here in the frozen north, there are plenty of outdoor dwelling guinea pigs, whatever the weather - poor things!! :lol:

[Annabel]

It was quite nippy yesterday morning, and when I went to feed him (pea pods...he loves em) i put my hand in his sleeping compartment and he was toasty warm and well snuggled up :wub: :wub:

I have loaded him up with hay and put extra lining newspaper down in his hutch. and I have found a wooden board which i put in front of the mesh at night to stop draughts getting in...which will do for now I think!

B) B) thanks everyone!

[Enterian]

They love dandilion leaves too.

Come to think of it I don't think I've met a creature who doesn't, when young I had a tortoise who liked them and I even put some in my aviary for the birds on occasion.

I understand they are full of vitamins.

Whilst on about it dont forget to give them a source of vitamin C, they are the only creature apart from Human Beings who need to eat it to stay healthy!

Enterian

[Annabel]

He loves dandelion leaves, good job as well, as I have plenty to offer!

dandelion leaves can be used in salads, if you fancy!

[Annabel]

not carrot tops, no, and he isnt mad on carrots particularly, just eats a bit...

my sister told me guinea's like dry toast (white bread)..i tried it, and he just turned up his piggy nose!

hes a fussy old guinea!