Tips For Small Pet Owners (with outdoor pets)

animalcrazy

This applies mostly to people who own rabbits and guinea pigs. If you can, please bring your guinea pigs inside if you have not already done so. They originate from countries with hot climates, although they can survive in this cold weather, they are miserable in it. Try and keep them in a room that doesn't get too hot, as the change in temperatures can and does upset them.

At this stage, you should not bring rabbits inside. They will have grown a thick Winter coat which keeps them perfectly warm (if you put your hands on your rabbit, after a few seconds you can feel their body heat, they stay comfortably warm). They will be extremely uncomfortable and upset over being brought inside because of the heat, much more then they would be if you left them outside. If you want to bring them inside next Winter, do it in Autumn, before the temperatures get very cold and their coats have thickened.

If you still want to bring them inside, put them somewhere where they won't get too hot, like an unheated utility room, bathroom, garage etc. Somewhere where there is no heating on.

Remember, rabbits always do better in the cold then the heat!

What you can do to make guinea pigs and rabbits more comfortable outside.
So, for whatever reason, you can't bring your guinea pigs inside, and you want to make either your guinea pigs or rabbits more comfortable outside. Here are some things you can do:

- Make sure they have a sheltered place to rest, most hutches have an enclosed sleeping compartment, never leave them in a cage which as no area for them to get out of the snow/wind/rain etc.

- Place lot's of straw in the enclosed compartment on the hutch. If you can't/ won't get straw, hay will do (you should always have hay in their cages anyway). Place a good bundle of it in their for them to snuggle into. Straw keeps them warmer though.

- Try and place their hutch somewhere where the snow/ rain won't pour in and wet the part that isn't enclosed and/or their food.

- Place fleece blankets (baby blankets) in the enclosed area of the hutch, this works well with the straw. Put them on the floor of the hutch with straw over them.

- Don't be lazy! If you couldn't be bothered going out in the bad weather to care for your pet, then find a good home for it! Small pets outside in this weather will have their water bottles freeze. Every few hours they will have to be defrosted! Place warm water in the bottles to keep them liquid for longer, not too hot though!

Also, of course, you need to keep them fed and cleaned out. The weather is no excuse, and won't be a valid excuse if you are brought up for animal cruelty! If you are trapped in your house, and can't get to your animals, ring the ISPCA for help, or a similar organisation.

- You can buy Snuggle Safes online, you heat in the microwave and put in the hutch. Here is a link to a site that sells them

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dog_beds_baskets/dog_cushions_pillows_blankets/heat_pads_and_heat_pillows/59060

Never use hot water bottles!

I hope this helped some bit and I covered most things

Keep safe!

votejohn

Good point, but the majority of people who read this forum love animals so hopefully will have already done so. Perhaps people could put this info on their facebooks, or let neighbours / friends with guinea pigs know!!

animalcrazy

Ya that would be great if people could pass it on. I just thought I would write this up just in case anyone is trying to think of ways to keep them happy in Winter Or need reminding since small pets are kept very badly in Ireland