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Small pets

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Original poster

Should I bring my guinea pig indoors?

28 replies

Flippetydip · 26/02/2018 11:02

We have one guinea pig and have had him for about 5 years. He had a brother but he sadly died about 3 years ago. This pig has never slept inside. He comes inside for cuddles with DD every day, other than that he's "free range" on our balcony.

It's now very very cold here - he has a little house in the upper level of his hutch which we stuff with hay every night and I'm concerned he's going to literally freeze to death tonight. However, I gather it's not good for them to come in suddenly to a warmer environment. He is VERY fluffy, I assume as a result of being outside for so long.

The other issue is we have a greyhound, so it's not going to be a happy arrangement. Also no garage, otherwise I'd stick him there.

OP posts:
Candlelights · 26/02/2018 11:09

If his water is likely to freeze then he should definitely come indoors. Otherwise he'll probably be ok with lots of hay and a good sheltered location.

If you do bring him in make sure he's got plenty water to drink to keep him cool

pumpkinpie01 · 26/02/2018 11:09

Yep I would definitely bring him in, its going to be super cold this week. Or can you give him lots of hay and put a blanket over the outside hutch at night ?

flumpybear · 26/02/2018 11:14

Difficult as he's in his own, I may Be Inclined to call my vet if I were you. We have four, they snuggle together but loads of hay on their 'bedroom, and I put a blanket over the hutch. They're skid in a really sheltered area with little wind, a roof over the patio where they live so completely sheltered from wind, rain and snow

flumpybear · 26/02/2018 11:14

Call vet for advice that is

TheVanguardSix · 26/02/2018 11:16

Since he's alone and doesn't have a snuggle buddy, I'd bring him in. Ours are indoors.

AuntLydia · 26/02/2018 11:19

Constant changing from one temperature to the other is what's dangerous I thought but you say you do bring him indoors and he seems to have survived that. Apparently Guinea pig fur isn't great at keeping them warm. I would bring him in for sure.

Dodie66 · 26/02/2018 11:46

Definitely bring him indoors. It’s going to get colder this week. He needs to be in the warm

Original poster
Flippetydip · 26/02/2018 13:31

OK, that seems to be the general consensus. Now the next question. We can't move the hutch - it will fall apart. Can I put him in a cardboard box and leave him in his sleeping compartment overnight in that and then put him out in the morning?

OP posts:
bunnygeek · 26/02/2018 14:32

He would likely chew his way out of a cardboard box. Or wee on it so it just goes all soggy! A large dog carrier or a standard indoor cage for small animals would do over night.

Original poster
Flippetydip · 26/02/2018 14:39

Oh which I have neither bunny. Wonder if I can borrow one from someone....

OP posts:
Original poster
Flippetydip · 26/02/2018 14:40

Or maybe a curver box would do.

OP posts:
millimat · 26/02/2018 14:47

Our guinea pigs come in and night and go out on the day in spring and autumn. They went out the other day as it was sunny, but I did leave the conservatory doors open for a while beforehand to lay them get used to the temp change.
When one died, I brought the other in for companionship as I didn't like the idea of him being on his own. In the house there was always some activity.

millimat · 26/02/2018 14:49

When we got another one he slept in a car carrier overnight. Just for the night time he was OK in a small space. I let him run round in the day though.
Have you got a paddling pool? A curver box could work if not too small.

ASDismynormality · 26/02/2018 14:52

How about putting a fleece blanket at the bottom of the bath and leaving him in there over night?

Frouby · 26/02/2018 14:55

Probably too late for this year but I have just had some heat pads delivered for our guinea pigs. You microwave them then pop them i their bedroom like guinea pig hot water stones.

Can you get to a pet shop to see if they have any?

TimeIhadaNameChange · 26/02/2018 15:01

If he'll be going outside again soon you'll need to make sure that the room he's in isn't too hot. So don't have the heating on in there. Otherwise it will be too cold when he goes outside.

woodhill · 26/02/2018 15:05

Definitely bring him in

sonlypuppyfat · 26/02/2018 15:06

DD has a dwarf rabbit, we bring him in , it's too cold and he's only tiny

Candlelights · 26/02/2018 19:11

I've kept a guinea pig in a cardboard box as a temporary measure. They don't tend to chew or climb. You'd need to make really sure he's safe from your dog though

TroubledLitchen · 26/02/2018 19:16

Definitely bring him in and keep in a room that’s shut to the greyhound. And turn the radiator off in the room you pop him in so he doesn’t get a shock when he goes back outside. Anyone you can borrow a cat carrier from? Or otherwise a curver box should be fine,

Original poster
Flippetydip · 27/02/2018 07:21

He slept in his little house in a curver box last night and has survived. I need something for him to be in in the day though. He can't stay in that forever, he'll go bonkers, he's used to running around on the balcony. Will he be alright to go back out today and I'll bring him in for the nights. Dear old man, my DD is besotted with him and was very excited about the thought of him sleeping in the basement last night!

OP posts:
TimeIhadaNameChange · 27/02/2018 07:42

How cold is it outside? Personally I’d keep him in til the weather gets warmer. And maybe get him a friend...?

TheHobbitMum · 27/02/2018 07:46

I'd definitely find a way to keep him in while it's cold, the cold could easily kill him :( You'll have to think of a way to keep the pig & greyhound completely separate though

I have 4 G. pigs and they live indoors :)

TroubledLitchen · 27/02/2018 08:17

Bless! I’m in London and it’s not due to get much above freezing here today. Unless it’s warmer in your parts then I’d definitely try to find a way to keep him in.

TroubledLitchen · 27/02/2018 08:18

I think the general rule is that if it’s cold enough for his water to freeze then he should be inside?

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