Mary Allen
When it gets cold outside, many small animal owners have to make an important decision: should I let my pets hibernate outside, or should I bring them inside? We clarify important questions about keeping small animals in winter.
Winter-Proof Enclosure
Rabbits and guinea pigs have thick winter fur. Still, they need a little help to stay fit and warm during the cold season. So that your little four-legged friend also feels really comfortable in winter, you should make some preparations in the outdoor enclosure and make the home of your loved ones winterproof. Important: under no circumstances should the spout be reduced in size. The animals like to warm up on cold winter days by running and romping about. Many different houses, tunnels, and other hiding places in protected places offer the little fur noses enough space to cuddle and sleep. Generously filled with fresh straw and hay, your darlings will be cozy and warm and can build small nests. All hiding places should be windproof and weatherproof in order to optimally protect the animals even when it is snowing and cold.
Feeding
With the onset of winter, the eating behavior of small animals naturally also changes. Many herbs, fruits, and grasses that rabbits and guinea pigs like to eat in summer are no longer available in winter under a thick blanket of snow. However, this is no reason not to use fresh food on a regular basis. Many types of vegetables also grow in winter and the supermarket sells carrots, tubers, apples, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and much more all year round. The leaves of kohlrabi or other vegetables are also a welcome meal for your animals in winter. Especially in rabbits, the energy requirement increases sharply at very low temperatures, which is why concentrated feed can also be fed in small quantities.
Tip: In order to make the menu particularly varied, fir, pine, or spruce branches can also be provided to nibble on. However, such branches should not be part of the daily meal, as they contain too high a proportion of essential oils for regular consumption.
Watering in the Outdoor Enclosure
At temperatures around 0 ° C or even lower, the water in troughs and bowls quickly freezes. The drinking points in the outdoor enclosure should therefore be checked several times a day. To delay the freezing a little, a couple of ping pong balls can be placed in the water bowl. Due to the movement of the balls, the water never stands still, which can slow down or even prevent freezing. If you are a skilled craftsman, you can also make a protective wall out of styrofoam. You should also cover the styrofoam with wood again so that your darlings cannot nibble on it. In this way, the cold reaches the water more slowly and the freezing process is delayed.
Warning: warm water freezes much faster than cold water. So be careful not to use warm water, otherwise, it will have to be changed more often.
Appropriate Small Animal Husbandry
Once all the preparations have been made, nothing stands in the way of keeping small animals in the garden in winter. If you take our tips to heart and ensure species-appropriate wintering with cozy hiding spots, good food, and freshwater, you can let your darlings live in the outdoor enclosure even in winter without hesitation. Your animals will thank you for it because they simply feel most comfortable outside in the great outdoors.