Piggies too cold at night?

[LondonLady]

Since the temperature here has dropped in the last week I'm wondering if my piggies are warm enough at night. The room they are in is normally around 20-22C but their cage is situated close to a window , and because I don't have double/secondary glazing, the windows are very draughty in the winter . I put a thermometer on the floor next to the cage and the last two nights the temperature dropped to 17C in that corner of the room. I've fixed up a blanket round two sides of the cage to shield them from any draughts , do you think this is ok for them?

 

[Siikibam]

That is just out of their comfort area - 18-22c. You could also cover the entire cage with a blanket. Are you able to move them away from the window?

 

[4boipigs]

I have a similar issue and also put a blanket over the end of the cage near a draft from a window. The difference is I have pieces of furniture blocking the draft from the window. Add some heavy/blackout curtains to the window if you haven't, it can keep the cold out a bit.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Blankets over the cage are a great idea, also warm fleecy tunnels to sleep in, and microwaveable snugglesafe heat pads to sit on. I have my snugglesafe sandwiched between 2 fleecy pee pads in a wine box so my skinny pig can sit on it sheltered from drafts, it stays warm for a surprisingly long time- maybe 6 hours- so you could pop one in at bedtime in case your piggies get cold paws during the night.

 

[VickiA]

When it’s really cold I create a fleece tent at night over one end of the cage over the hay tray. I tend to find plenty of poop there in the mornings so it’s obviously a popular place to hang out. When the weather was really cold a few years back I did leave this up all day for the piggies, too.

 

[Mikatelyn]

Additional thoughts to help with drafty windows
1. Window film. You apply these to the window glass and it helps to keep heat in and cold out
2. Thermal insulating curtains
3. Depending on what kind of windows and if there is a good deal, you might also consider weather stripping around the frame to seal up the cracks.

All of these should also be good for your energy bill and not just the piggies!

 

[LondonLady]

Thank you for all the replies and apologies for not coming back sooner.
@Mikatelyn - yes! I've covered the two windows in the piggies' room with window film and it seems to have helped.

It was something I'd been planning to do do for some time and had the film here ready but kept putting it off . However I did it yesterday and I'm pleased to say it seems to have made a real difference. The temperature last night under the window was 19C. Of course that could be because the outside temperature was slightly warmer but it does seem to be stopping the draught. Anyway I'm going to keep a careful eye on it, but with that and the blanket (I've got another one to go over the top of the cage if needed) I think they should be ok. Phew!

I could move the cage to the other side of the room but it would be difficult and I don't really want to. The piggies' room is also my 'office' since I stared working from home last March, and I would need to move my desk into a more inconvenient place and also move other furniture which would take a lot of effort with nobody to help me.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.