Snuggle Safe Heating Pads

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echo

echo

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi! I have some questions about snuggle safe heating pads. Unfortunately, my guinea pigs live out side year round, but do stay in a protected shed all year. This is going to be my first winter with them, so I need to get prepared. At night, I'll put a duvet over the hutch, and over half the run in the day. I'm ordering some snuggle cups and tunnels too for them to sleep in. I just have some questions about snuggle safe heat pads. I'm going to buy two, because my pigs don't like sleeping together, and sometimes someone gets kicked out. At zooplus they're £15 I think, is there anywhere to get them cheaper? Or any alternatives? I don't get much money, so it'd be great if I could find cheaper ones, but I would be able to buy them if there weren't any cheaper. Do they really stay as warm as they say they do? Should I use them at night only, or day and night? Will they be sufficient? And finally, any safety precautions? Thanks!
 
From what I remember, they stay warm for around 6-8 hours. I've used them for years and think they're really useful. In the really cold winter, I would use them both day and night, as some days the temperature barely makes it above minus figures. Amazon are currently selling them for £14.10, so only slightly cheaper than zooplus, but you'll save nearly £2 if buying two.
 
they seem to be a similar price everywhere. i really like them and find them useful. they do keep warm for about the time they state. :)
 
I would definitely recommend them, in the depths of winter I use them day and night as my room gets pretty cold!

My advice would be to get/make plenty of spare covers, I found that they needed changed more often than their other fleece items and so without the spares would've had to put them in the machine on their own - which personally I felt was a waste of energy!
 
Thanks everyone! I'll defiantly make sure to get some before the weather gets bad . :)
 
how protected is your shed?

(sorry, I don't mean to pry, I would just prefer my girls to be outside and have more room.... an debating what to do)
 
Can't believe us Brits are talking about heat pads already - it's the middle of August. I was looking at cool pads last month.

I have just put an order in for 2 heat pads - plus a few extra covers - thanks for the advice @Nicola_
 
That is a brilliant price! I might get a couple of extra ones, as I like to have 2 per pig, so that in really cold weather I can put a warm one in for each of them before the previous one has cooled down to room temperature (they have to do that before you can reheat them), and now that we have Ida we will need extras. Its worth keeping your eye on the prices on Amazon as, like everrything on there, they do seem to fluctuate. Last year I got some at £12.74 - or somethinmg like that - but they didn't seem to stay at that price for long. I've never seen them anywhere as cheap as £10.98, though!
 
PiggieOwner said:
Can't believe us Brits are talking about heat pads already - it's the middle of August. I was looking at cool pads last month.

I have just put an order in for 2 heat pads - plus a few extra covers - thanks for the advice @Nicola_
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I know, its crazy! There seems to be a very small gap between worrying about keeping the piggies warm, and worrying about keeping them cool!
 
I use them in winter for our little feral cat who sleeps in a kennel outside. I have two for her, and in the middle of winter she gets it changed 3 times a day, as they stay warm for around 7/8 hours. Also my husband suffers from very cold feet, so he has one to rest his feet on when sitting in his chair! I think they're great.
 
Sue G said:
I use them in winter for our little feral cat who sleeps in a kennel outside. I have two for her, and in the middle of winter she gets it changed 3 times a day, as they stay warm for around 7/8 hours. Also my husband suffers from very cold feet, so he has one to rest his feet on when sitting in his chair! I think they're great.
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Never thought about using them for hoomans too - DON'T tell my OH - please !
 
PiggieOwner said:
Never thought about using them for hoomans too - DON'T tell my OH - please !
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It's ok, my OH has just ordered one for my frosty tosies. I don't think he appreciates my foot cuddles in the middle of the night :))

echo said:
Hi! I have some questions about snuggle safe heating pads. Unfortunately, my guinea pigs live out side year round, but do stay in a protected shed all year. This is going to be my first winter with them, so I need to get prepared. At night, I'll put a duvet over the hutch, and over half the run in the day. I'm ordering some snuggle cups and tunnels too for them to sleep in. I just have some questions about snuggle safe heat pads. I'm going to buy two, because my pigs don't like sleeping together, and sometimes someone gets kicked out. At zooplus they're £15 I think, is there anywhere to get them cheaper? Or any alternatives? I don't get much money, so it'd be great if I could find cheaper ones, but I would be able to buy them if there weren't any cheaper. Do they really stay as warm as they say they do? Should I use them at night only, or day and night? Will they be sufficient? And finally, any safety precautions? Thanks!
Click to expand...
If you need some snuggle sacks and Fleecy Tunnels with extra insulation, I'd be happy to make them for you. If you message me on my Facebook page (and have a nosy to see if you like them) we can have a chat about what you need ;)
https://m.facebook.com/HandmadePigsInBlankets?_rdr
 
PiggieOwner said:
Can't believe us Brits are talking about heat pads already - it's the middle of August. I was looking at cool pads last month.

I have just put an order in for 2 heat pads - plus a few extra covers - thanks for the advice
I know it's bonkers, warm, cool!
@Nicola_
Click to expand...

Her Nibship said:
I know, its crazy! There seems to be a very small gap between worrying about keeping the piggies warm, and worrying about keeping them cool!
Click to expand...
. I just think how would I feel in that temperature, I use plenty of hay for extra insulation, the fleeced houses and snugglesafes they are really good.
 
gus+walter said:
It's ok, my OH has just ordered one for my frosty tosies. I don't think he appreciates my foot cuddles in the middle of the night :))


If you need some snuggle sacks and Fleecy Tunnels with extra insulation, I'd be happy to make them for you. If you message me on my Facebook page (and have a nosy to see if you like them) we can have a chat about what you need ;)
https://m.facebook.com/HandmadePigsInBlankets?_rdr
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I will definantly have a look! I just bought a couple of snuggle sacks, but I'll certainly need more so I'll take a look. I don't have a Facebook account though, could I contact you another way if I decide to buy some? :)
 
echo said:
I will definantly have a look! I just bought a couple of snuggle sacks, but I'll certainly need more so I'll take a look. I don't have a Facebook account though, could I contact you another way if I decide to buy some? :)
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You can PM me here, I'm on at least 6 times a day :))
 
gus+walter said:
You can PM me here, I'm on at least 6 times a day :))
Click to expand...

Okay! I've just spent all my money on an order for the pigs and the other rodents, but as soon as I can I'll see about getting some stuff from you before the end of winter or whenever I can. :)
 
echo said:
Okay! I've just spent all my money on an order for the pigs and the other rodents, but as soon as I can I'll see about getting some stuff from you before the end of winter or whenever I can. :)
Click to expand...
Cool stuff :) I'm always knocking around if you need anything or have any questions.
 
If you can avoid the piggies getting to it, use radiator insulation, the stuff you put behind them, to insulate the shed. I know you can get self heating pads which are fleece with the insulation inside, they just reflect the body heat back, and let the piggies regulate their temperature, never goes cold. As long as they don't chew it, if it is inside double fleece, I suppose it could be ok?
 
Amazing we are all thinking the same about the weather - what a change from the start of August :)

My boys are kept in a large hutch in a shed. They free range in there during the day but I close them up at night in the hutch so I can make sure they are toasty. Last night I put in upturned cardboard boxes bedding area, with small access holes, and then piled on lots of hay, sort of making cardboard/hay igloos. This way they can't just trample all the bedding down and they love scooting in an out. I am going to try to get heat pads sorted soon as the high/low thermometer in the shed was reading 5 degrees for last night, so getting a bit nippy here - though had to open the stable door up this afternoon as it was reading up in the 20's in the shed. lol! Going to sort out a cover over the hutch today that I can drop down at night so they are extra toasty too.

I am in the process of insulating the whole shed but trying not to drive my OH nuts with my spending - hopefully will get the shed insulated before any bad winter kicks in lol! (and will get picks on of my setup soon too - just got to stain the outside of the shed, insulate the inside, cover the floor etc etc etc ! lol)
 
smileyface:) said:
Amazing we are all thinking the same about the weather - what a change from the start of August :)

My boys are kept in a large hutch in a shed. They free range in there during the day but I close them up at night in the hutch so I can make sure they are toasty. Last night I put in upturned cardboard boxes bedding area, with small access holes, and then piled on lots of hay, sort of making cardboard/hay igloos. This way they can't just trample all the bedding down and they love scooting in an out. I am going to try to get heat pads sorted soon as the high/low thermometer in the shed was reading 5 degrees for last night, so getting a bit nippy here - though had to open the stable door up this afternoon as it was reading up in the 20's in the shed. lol! Going to sort out a cover over the hutch today that I can drop down at night so they are extra toasty too.

I am in the process of insulating the whole shed but trying not to drive my OH nuts with my spending - hopefully will get the shed insulated before any bad winter kicks in lol! (and will get picks on of my setup soon too - just got to stain the outside of the shed, insulate the inside, cover the floor etc etc etc ! lol)
Click to expand...

Haha I know, it's not even September yet and we're all planning for winter! :xd:

I'll have to tray that with the cardboard box and hay igloos, mine just trample the hay down, ex pet from the other day when they made a nest out if hay, which was adorable.:luv:

We've just insulted the hutch for night time, it's already getting chilly at night. Hopefully well get the heat pads sorted today or tomorrow. I've got some snuggle sacks coming too, hopefully it'll keep the pigs warm.

Also, I heard in winter they should get more pellets, is this true?
 
Has anyone used the self heating pads, with the silver heat reflecting stuff in them? I have bought one for day time use in piggy's bed.

just seen above comment about them, anyone used them and found them to be safe?
 
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Anyone considering buying a heat pad - go for it! I wasn't sure at first because of the price, but they are worth the money. They stay warm for 6-8hrs and my piggies love them!
 
Purely for research purposes ;) Last night I took one to bed with me. This morning it was still very warm - I was very impressed! Never get that with my own hot water bottle. Only downside (as a hooman) is that it's a bit hard so only really any good under your feet. The other one I'd put in with our two patients who had to have an anti fungal dip last night. They refused to sit on it and instead lurked around near it - maybe I need to give them one each!
 
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