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Small pets

Help, looking after SIL guinea pigs and got home to torrential rain

16 replies

GColdtimer · 19/08/2015 17:38

Have SIL two GP for the week. They are in a hutch with a tarp over it and SIL said they would be fine outside for the week but just got home and it looks like it has been raining for hours. Their bedding looks wet and they don't look very happy. I have to get them out and change all their bedding don't I? I am rubbish at catching them and to be honest am not a small furry creature person. DD isn't home until tomorrow otherwise I would get her to do it.

I know nothing about them. If I put them in the bath whilst I clean their hutch will they be OK? Don't want them wandering about the house. Wise GP loving MNers, what do I do??

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GRW · 19/08/2015 18:36

I'm sure it's OK to put them in the bath if it's dry whilst you change the bedding. As long as you keep any dogs or cats away from them. I catch mine by letting them run into their plastic igloo and then lifting it up. They like places to hide.

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Lancelottie · 19/08/2015 18:39

You could change half the hutch at a time - shoo guineas to one end while you do the other, if it's the standard 2-part hutch. Block the little doorway in between so you don't sweep a nosy beastie out with the damp hay!

Give them plenty of hay to burrow in if they look cold and wet.

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BertrandRussell · 19/08/2015 18:44

Are they wet? If so I'd take them inside for a bit (in the bath is fine if you put a towel or something first, so long as you don't have a cat who will regard it as some sort of fairground game). Hoik out the wet hay and chuck in a ton of dry. Make sure they can't escape if the rain has loosened anything pegging the run down, then put them back. They'll be fine.

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BertrandRussell · 19/08/2015 18:44

And give them some parsley for the shock............

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GColdtimer · 19/08/2015 18:49

Thank you, just had DD2 throw up everywhere. She is now sorted so on to the GPs. I have stacks of parsley so will give them some, never knew they liked it.

They aren't wet as they have a shelved area they are hiding under but their bedding is. Oh joy.

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BertrandRussell · 19/08/2015 18:50

Ds's would sing for parsley! I do miss them!

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GColdtimer · 19/08/2015 18:52

Will keep you posted. SIL owes me wine, she said they would be no trouble at all......

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 19/08/2015 19:25

Aww poor piggies, but it was the weather that was the trouble not the guineas (my piggies is quick to point out, guineas are blameless )

Just do half at a time, shift them over and do the other half.
Dry bedding, food, bribe of parsley.

They'll hoik their judgey pants up and grass you up to your SIL but they'll get over themselves

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GColdtimer · 19/08/2015 20:11

ha ha, luckily DD1 popped home from her sleepover for a game and got them out for me, cuddled and dried them. They were soaking poor things. Discovered a rip at the top of the tarp and a small hole in the roof which meant the bedding was totally sodden. Hutch is now indoors, they have totally fresh bedding, have had a belly full of parsley as well as some serious TLC from DD1 and her friend. My house now looks like rodent hotel as have neighbours gerbils too.

Piggies are back in their igloo looking a little bit disconcerted but when they realise they will be inside for the next two days I think they will actually be quite happy!

Have poured myself some wine.

Thanks for help. :)

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RandomMess · 19/08/2015 20:15

glad you sorted them, poor piggies!

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GColdtimer · 19/08/2015 20:17

I know. I felt awful when I saw how wet they were, not to mention their bedding. all around!

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Cherryblossomsinspring · 19/08/2015 20:20

They adore raspberries more than life itself. Such sweet animals, always munching on something. Glad you got them sorted. We always kept ours outside in a wire frame on the grass with a half small plastic barrel with a door cut out and hay as bedding for them to sleep in and hide in.

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PurpleDaisies · 19/08/2015 20:26

Guinea pigs do such a good look of disgust when they're not happy for whatever reason. Mine was grumpy because it was raining loudly on the conservatory earlier (which was obviously my fault!).

He does love being inside the house where all the action is (he's a nosey little thing) and I'm sure your sil's will really love their time on holiday with you. You definitely earned your wine tonight!

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WitchOfAlba · 19/08/2015 20:26

Yes, bring them inside and give them lots of nice, dry bedding. Ours are inside all the time so I don't know much about outdoor pigs except that it's bad for them to eat wet grass. Can you put together a make shift home indoors overnight?

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GColdtimer · 19/08/2015 21:20

We have bought their hutch inside Witch so are warm and dry and seem to be happy. Are eyeing up the neighbours gerbils with some suspicion mind

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 19/08/2015 21:38

My ruby eyed Himalayan gives me a look that would strip paint when it's too sunny.
She doesn't do sun and slopes off in the wooden run shelter then troughs grass like she's punishing it.

Come evening she pootles about happily (part Vampire methinks)

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