My piggies keep eating their bedding

[Maple & Daisy]

Hi, I’m hoping someone can give me some advice. We got 2 female guinea pigs in July this year. They live in a hutch inside a children’s play house. I’m really concerned about keeping them warm on the cold nights. It doesn’t matter how much hay I put in their sleeping compartment they just flatten it all down and eat it! I do have a separate hay feeder which I keep full all of the time but they still eat their bedding! I asked at pets at home today and they told me to use straw, but when I bought the guinea pigs pets at home said not to use straw as it was bad for their eyes! What do other people use and recommend in the cold months? Thanks

 

[Claire W]

To be honest, hay, hay and more hay is an excellent insulator for outdoor guinea pigs. They will eat it and flatten in down but if you put enough in, they will soon snuggle down in it to keep warm.

Snuggle safe heat pads that you put in the microwave for a few minutes are also great for guinea pigs to sit on during the colder months. I can’t recommend them enough

Please don’t use straw as it can cause eye injuries

 

[Maple & Daisy]

Thanks for your reply, I was considering those pads as well. I definitely won’t use the straw.

 

[eileen]

you can use chopped wheat straw,it is soft ,chopped and safe.it is called Dengi medibed.i would use lots of hay and snugglesafe heatpads as mentioned above by other members.as an alternative.

 

[Betsy]

I use loads of hay, snugglesafes (1 each per piggy) and also fleecy tunnels and fleecy snugglesacks. You can also use an old fleece hat in an emergency but it won't be as warm.

 

[Piggies&buns]

My boys live in a hutch in a shed. I use loads of Meadow hay as bedding and yes they do eat it while they are snuggling up and it is always squashed down. i use the fiddlesticks bendy logs put hay in (and over, round, through, right up to the ceiling!), a snuggle safe under each bendy log hut (and two more in front, yes four snugglesafes for two piggies, I like to overdo things!) with more hay on top, then a fleece blanket over the top of the huts (helps trap the heat within) and while the hay is always squished down, they are always toasty and warm.

 

[Maple & Daisy]

Thank you all so much for your great ideas. I think my girls will b lovely and warm this winter!

 

[Lady Kelly]

I just put tons of hay in and keep topping it up daily. I easily get through 2-3 times the amount of hay in the colder months. I don't have a separate hay tray as they seem to want to just eat where they sleep anyway