Guinea Pigs Not Eating/cold Snap

[Anastasia24]

Hey there,

5 months ago I got 2 guinea pigs, James and Sirius, so I'm still pretty new to the animal. Over the last two days I've been a bit worried about them as their eating has decreased. Its been really hot where I live as its summer. They are both indoor guinea pigs so the they have been fine. Eating, drinking and generally really active. Over the last two days we have had a bit of a cold snap and the temperatures have dropped to more than half what they were. It has been around 14 and 15 degrees (Celsius that is). Since the temperatures have dropped they have not been eating or drinking as much as they used to and they spend most of their day in their hiddy houses. James has also been sneezing a bit but there is no discharge. I have a vet appt on Monday (its Saturday evening as I am typing this) for a check up in case it is a URI.

I was just wondering if it is normal for guinea pig's activity and appetite to decrease during colder temperatures?

 

[DM030819]

@Anastasia24 I've never noticed a change in the amount they eat. You could give them some more hay so they can burrow in it and warm themselves up. They might venture out more then.

 

[Anastasia24]

@Jaycey Thanks! I will give that a go now and hope it works

 

[Wiebke]

Hey there,

5 months ago I got 2 guinea pigs, James and Sirius, so I'm still pretty new to the animal. Over the last two days I've been a bit worried about them as their eating has decreased. Its been really hot where I live as its summer. They are both indoor guinea pigs so the they have been fine. Eating, drinking and generally really active. Over the last two days we have had a bit of a cold snap and the temperatures have dropped to more than half what they were. It has been around 14 and 15 degrees (Celsius that is). Since the temperatures have dropped they have not been eating or drinking as much as they used to and they spend most of their day in their hiddy houses. James has also been sneezing a bit but there is no discharge. I have a vet appt on Monday (its Saturday evening as I am typing this) for a check up in case it is a URI.

I was just wondering if it is normal for guinea pig's activity and appetite to decrease during colder temperatures?

Please start weighing them daily instead of weekly, and if necessary top them up with syringe feed.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Please check whether your gas levels are OK. You can't smell monodioxide if it has happened due to increased heating. We had a case of guinea pigs dying from this earlier this year. if the level is only a little higher, it be causing the loss the of appetite. See whether they perk up in another, well aired room.