What is the lowest temperature I can go to without putting heat pads in, but putting tonnes of hay in?

[Laura_Deakin]

I’m wondering whether 4 degrees at night is ok to not put heat pads in? Or whether I need to? I’ve put loads of hay in- literally half the bag! So I don’t know if they need heat pads as well or whether they’ll be warm enough with just the hay.. ?

 

[Piggies&buns]

No they won’t be warm enough without heat pads. They can get chilled below 15 degrees. I put four heat pads in my hutch when the temperature goes below 10 degrees. When it’s between 10 and 15 degrees I give them two heat pads.

 

[Laura_Deakin]

No they won’t be warm enough without heat pads. They can get chilled below 15 degrees. I put four heat pads in my hutch when the temperature goes below 10 degrees. When it’s between 10 and 15 degrees I give them two heat pads.

Thank you!

 

[Lady Kelly]

If you are around definitely use the heat pads as you can't be too sure. Mine had to go without last weekend as I wasn't around Friday and Saturday night though I don't think it dropped as low as 4. The piggies were happy and well when I got home

 

[Fozzy44]

Can I put heat pads in outside hutches? I can’t bring my piggies inside or put them in the shed etc and I don’t want them to get cold. I’m worried they’ll try to eat the heat pads and make themselves sick x

 

[Lady Kelly]

Can I put heat pads in outside hutches? I can’t bring my piggies inside or put them in the shed etc and I don’t want them to get cold. I’m worried they’ll try to eat the heat pads and make themselves sick x

Yes you can use them in outdoor hutches. Thats what I do. They have never tried to eat the heat pads

 

[Piggies&buns]

Can I put heat pads in outside hutches? I can’t bring my piggies inside or put them in the shed etc and I don’t want them to get cold. I’m worried they’ll try to eat the heat pads and make themselves sick x

I use four heat pads (snugglesafes) in my outdoor (albeit in a shed) hutch for my two piggies. They have never tried to chew them. They are in a protective fleece so just check the fleece for any signs of chewing and replacement fleece covers can be bought.

 

[Fozzy44]

Yes you can use them in outdoor hutches. Thats what I do. They have never tried to eat the heat pads

Oh good! I wanted to get a couple for their beds as it’s getting colder but was worried they’d try to chew them. Do you use barley bags or the heat pads with the fleecey snugglesafe ones?

 

[Fozzy44]

I use four heat pads (snugglesafes) in my outdoor (albeit in a shed) hutch for my two piggies. They have never tried to chew them. They are in a protective fleece so just check the fleece for any signs of chewing and replacement fleece covers can be bought.

Thanks! I’ll have a look for some now I know they’re ok to use without supervision all the times x

 

[Lady Kelly]

Oh good! I wanted to get a couple for their beds as it’s getting colder but was worried they’d try to chew them. Do you use barley bags or the heat pads with the fleecey snugglesafe ones?

It needs to be the snugglesafes. I can't imagine the barley bags being suitable for animals as often they are fragranced and they don't slowly release the heat like the snugglesafes do

 

[Fozzy44]

It needs to be the snugglesafes. I can't imagine the barley bags being suitable for animals as often they are fragranced and they don't slowly release the heat like the snugglesafes do

Good to know. A friend of mine uses unscented barley bags for her chinchillas but I wasn’t sure if this was a good idea or not

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Hay is very insulating, so with plenty of hay and a cover over the hutch, they will be okay, if you aren't there to put heat pads in. When we had outdoor guinea pigs, I would fill hutch completely with hay, plus a cover. You need to protect from damp and draughts, but with plenty of hay, they can be quite snug.