Mary Allen
As soon as it gets really cool in late autumn, many owners ask themselves whether they can leave the guinea pigs outside over the winter. A few tips for ideal keeping outdoors in winter.
Guinea pigs are also in good hands outside in the cold season if you pay attention to a few things. In the winter months, however, the animals need more care than in the summer months. You can only keep them outside during the cold season if you are winter-proof yourself and are not afraid to spend a lot of time outside, even when there is snow and ice.
Proper preparation includes, above all, winter-proof accommodation. A lattice cage is not suitable for outdoor keeping – the guinea pigs would be far too little protected from cold, drafts, and moisture. Ideally, the guinea pigs should live in a spacious enclosure that is protected from intruders, even in winter, and that they can use around the clock. In order for the animals to keep moving – which is very important, especially in winter – free space and hiding places are important. The enclosure is best covered completely to keep it free of snow – this also means removing snow from the roof. Guinea pigs have bare soles and don’t like walking in the snow. If they are kept uncovered, you have to make snow-free places for them.
The Guinea Pigs Must Be Protected From the Cold
A completely closed wooden house offers the best protection against the cold. This should be provided with an entrance and an additional ventilation slot. Ideally, the two openings are on two adjacent sides, and not opposite – so there is no draft.
The insulation of this shelter is also important: in addition to polystyrene, other insulation materials such as sheep’s wool are also suitable. In barns that are not double-walled, additional small wooden houses are needed in which the animals can withdraw and which they can heat with their body heat. If the enclosure is open at the top, you have to consider that the height of the fence changes when there is a lot of snow: sometimes the jumping power of a fox was suddenly enough to overcome the fence. In an enclosure that is not fully secured, the guinea pigs can only stay during the day and are locked up in the shelter at night. In this case, a more spacious shelter with windows is required. The guinea pigs can also live in rabbit hutches over the winter, but they must be given additional protection. In terms of space, at least one double box is needed anyway so that the animals can move around enough. It is best to close one side almost completely – leave a small slit at the top for air exchange so that no waterlogging can occur. The open side is protected with a blanket on very cold nights. This ensures air exchange and the animals are still protected from the worst of the cold.
Good Feeding is Also Important
Feeding needs a lot of attention in the winter months. The animals need more energy, but often do not eat enough when it is very cold. They, therefore, need more nutritious feed than in summer. It is important to administer a sensible concentrated feed, not one that consists mainly of cereal grains. Good guinea pig pellet food also contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals in sufficient quantities. In order for the guinea pigs to be able to eat pellets, they must have enough water available. With sub-zero temperatures around the clock, this is very exhausting, as the water has to be changed several times a day because it keeps freezing. Juice food may only be given in small amounts at a time so that it does not freeze. And hay, which is eaten around the clock and in which one can snuggle up comfortably, is now more important than ever. A layer of straw that insulates and protects against the cold and that you can nibble on if necessary is also appreciated.
You also have to consider the composition of the group. Guinea pigs must be kept in pairs. However, a larger group is better suited for year-round outdoor keeping, since there is more movement and the animals can also snuggle up and warm each other up to better. However, it is also important that the animals are well tolerated: If one is excluded and not allowed into the dormitory, this can have fatal consequences. In addition to a sufficiently large shelter, other dry shelters into which the animals can withdraw are therefore important.
After Playing Inside, There is a Risk of Catching a Cold Outside
Guinea pigs are basically observation animals and generally don’t like to be petted or carried around. In winter it is very important that the children do not take them into the house to play. The animals are adapted to the temperatures outside, would be much too hot inside, and would then catch a cold outside.
Very old or sick animals are no longer up to the demands of winter outside – they are better left to spend the cold season in the warmth. Animals brought inside during the winter must be carefully reaccustomed to cooler temperatures, or they will remain indoors throughout the winter.