Tell me about guinea pigs in winter. Where could we keep them?

[nymphadora]

Dds have wanted a pet for ages. I used to have GPs & think theyd be a good pet for ttem.

I had them inside in winter. We would have the option of outside, in greenhouse(thinking more sheltered , could add warmth somehow?), possibly in shed but it's tiny & no door or possibly in the cellar but it's not anywhere near finished so no idea how much room there will be.

My parents have had guinea pigs for years, always in a hutch outside, all year round.

it's not the cold that's bad for them so much as if they get damp, they really don't like that.

in the winter they cover their hutch in jumbo bubble wrap to insulate them, the guineas all huddle together and are super toasty when they come out in the morning.

most days throughout the year they go out in a run during the day, with a pet carrier filled with bedding to snuggle in if they want.

My guinea pig is outside and has been for the last 5 yrs without any problem. She has plenty of hay in the bed area to help keep her warm and a cover to put over the front overnight.

We are in Cumbria so plenty of damp! Greenhouse would keep dryer then & could keep warm on the inside?

Well, our girls do come in in the winter, just for the really cold bit - and a proper load of blankets and waterproof cover at night until early summer.

They have never liked their run that much, a bit of leaping about but mainly sat in the little shelter looking bored.

The other week I left their cage undone and the puched open the door, and started wandering about in the conservatory. This is a massive junk room, there's literally a path through it to the back door and either side is 'stuff' - bags of feed and other bits and pieces.

I'm amazed but they actually LOVE it - they're free to come and go all day and night, hutch is covered with a blanket but the door is ajar iyswim.

I've never sene them so happy! Exploring, hiding, disappearing...they are blissful.

I thought they were just getting old!