Temperature

[johnguinies]

Hey everyone, new guinea pig dad here. I live in Athens and today was around 23°C. My guinea pigs seemed a bit slower than usual, and I read that heat/hot temperature can affect them a lot. How do you usually handle warmer days? Any tip would be appreciated! Thanks

 

[Piggies&buns]

Their comfort range is 18-23 degrees. Anything over 25 risks heatstroke and anything below 15 is too cold.
The biggest risk comes from sudden temperature changes as they don’t have time to adjust gradually, particularly when they go above 25 degrees.
A good guide though is you! If you feel comfortable then they should also be ok, if you start feeling too hot then they are probably already feeling it.

The best line of defence is keeping the room cool and allowing any heat to disperse during the early mornings and late evenings when it is (hopefully) cooler.
I have added our hot weather management guides below as they contain lots of helpful information

Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

Hot weather warning for the UK - Member questions and heatwave feedback

 

[johnguinies]

Hello everyone, do you happen to have any tips about summer heat and very hot temperature? Also, do you use AC in their room? Thanks in advance

 

[Piggies&buns]

I have merged your new thread with one you posted a few days ago as the topics are very similar.

Our hot weather management guide and a useful thread is linked in the previous reply above .

AC is not common here in the UK (we are a UK based forum) but some members may use portable units

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everyone, do you happen to have any tips about summer heat and very hot temperature? Also, do you use AC in their room? Thanks in advance

Hi

Yes, you can use AC in the guinea pig room as long as you not aim the stream of cold air directly onto the cage (risk of respiratory infections). You can however place a damp sheet or towel in front or over the cage in order to help cool down the temperature in the cage further via the evaporating air.

Please take the time to read these links here and bookmark them. They contain the most extensive collection of hot weather information and practical tips, as well as detailed information on heat stroke and what to do:
Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

Hot weather warning for the UK - Member questions and heatwave feedback (Member questions, adaptations and feedback on hot weather measures)