Guinea pigs going to a pet sitter

[EddieandMaurice]

My 2 long haired male guinea pigs (1 year old) live inside but when we go on holiday in August they will be going to a pet sitter.
They will be put in a run on grass during the day and will be in a hutch in the shed in the night.
I’m worried that they might overheat in the hutch if it is hot.
I’m also worried about fly strike so am wondering if beaphar fly guard is safe to use to prevent this.
They also don’t usually go on the grass so should I start putting them on the grass to gradually introduce them to it?

 

[Claire W]

Yes please gradually introduce them to grass if they’re not used to it. Also, I was advised that the fly guard isn’t necessary and shouldn’t be used. Mention your concerns to the pet sitter about them getting too hot in the hutch. Have a great holiday!

 

[Piggies&buns]

The fly guard spray isn’t necessary. Preventing flystrike is best done through good hygiene (poop picking cages daily) and twice daily checks of their bottoms.
Ive never used such a spray in 35 years of small animal keeping.

Fly Strike

Yes, they will need to be given access to grass slowly to get their tummies used to it.

Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time

Regarding overheating in a hutch or run - provided it isn’t hot weather, then such an arrangement will be ok.
I would check what measures the boarder has in place for hot weather?
If it is above 25 degrees, then they shouldn’t be either in the shed/hutch or in the run on the lawn.

Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

 

[EddieandMaurice]

Yes please gradually introduce them to grass if they’re not used to it. Also, I was advised that the fly guard isn’t necessary and shouldn’t be used. Mention your concerns to the pet sitter about them getting too hot in the hutch. Have a great holiday!

Thank you!