Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Small pets

Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your pet, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

That time of year again. Keeping the Small Pets happy in the heat .

26 replies

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 12/05/2018 01:54

Little fur covered animals ( and I will admit my guinea-pigs have more fur than sense) need extra TLC in the hot weather.

Shade
A nice wafty breeze but not a draught
Somewhere to hide if they feel the need.......but not overheat. Mine still like to hide in the hay Hmm even though their hutches are enclosed (inside the Pighouse)

Foxes- I've noticed a young adult in the garden in the daytime, bold as brass .
Cats sitting at the run

Poisonous plants n the lawn, springing up overnight.

Flies - the risk of flystrike especially older or overweight animals. Keep a check on poohs and bottoms , the risk of loose pooh is higher with lush grass. As the the risk of bloat.

Shade over the run - a sheet or towel is good. If its really hot wring a towel out in water and put it over the bars

Wasps and bees. A sting can kill a small animal

Water - though mine won't drink it Hmm its there on offer and we rinse the salad leaves to leave a bit of water on them.

Minimal hay - just enough for eating , in a rack or loo roll tubes. Mine have shredded card to sleep in for hot weather.
Floor tile to sit on
We keep 2 litre lemonade bottles full of water in our freezer , wrap in newspaper and put in the hutches.

Ours love cucumber and watermelon Grin in Summer

Keep an eye out for heatstroke , it can kill. The animal literally pancakes , rapid breathing. You need to cool them , its an emergency situation.

My guineas are all 4yo so not old but a bit middle aged - personally I find it harder keeping them safe in Summer than Winter.
But they're looking forward to a nice few months of grazing , being out till 11pm ( dirty stop outs) and laughing at me as I try to move their runs and peg them down .
At least they mow the grass and fertilise it Grin

OP posts:
EastMidsGPs · 10/07/2018 16:53

fortified Sadie doesn't eat newspaper but she does leave the odd poo just to let DH know who is boss!

Very cute today, DH sitting in his chair snoring gently with Sadie all snuggled up into his arm. A very contented piggie 🐹

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread