How hot is too hot for my guinea pigs?

[TouTou]

(And I'm not talking about baking them in the oven!)

It's baking hot where we live now (36 degrees yesterday in the house). I'm worried about the GPs.

They are pretty lethargic, but so are we. What more can I do for them to help them cool off apart from keepign water bottle replenished, giving cucumber as a treat etc? I 'gave' them a shallow bowl of water yesterday in their run to see if they wanted to cool down in that, but they just eyeballed it then ignored it.

Is it too hot for them? I'm worried because my friend once left hers out in the garden and they died. (in fairness, the shadow she'd left them under shifted very fast and they were, unfortunately in direct sunlight for an hour or so. She was devastated).

[Meglet]

watermelon slices straight from the fridge.

And half fill old bottles of mineral water, freeze them then pop them in the hutch as they might sit right next to it and cool down. Sort of a makeshift piggy air con.

Do you have air con in your house though, if so they'd be better off inside.

36 degrees

[purpleroses]

We had hot weather like that a few years back and mine were fine. Make sure that the run has a covered end so that there's always some shade, and if possible put it under the shade of a tree too. Long grass gives a bit more cover too, and holds any dew a bit longer. I've never known a guinea-pig to get voluntarily wet, so wouldn't have thought you'd have much luck with a water bowl for cooling off.

(Am very envious of wherever it is you live with 36 degrees outside. It is wild, wet and windy here )

[dietcokeandwine]

Haven't had this problem yet due to dire UK weather (!) but I read somewhere that draping a damp towel (that has been soaked in cold water) over the run might also help keep guineas cool.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

We had a really hot spell about a month ago.
I froze a 6 pint plastic milk bottle of water to go in their run.
I gave them a bowl of frozen water (but they don't drink much) as well as their regular water.
And my DH made one of their windows in the pighouse removeable (lined inside with double layer garden fence and fly-proof mesh) .The window is about 15" square so they get a nice breeze. Neighbours high fence keeps it shady.

And YY to watermelon, cucumber and strawberries. Our hogs approve.
A handful of cut grass rinsed under the tap too.

I gave mine water in their run, they were meh.

[TouTou]

THanks for the advice! I love the super furry animals threads, you are such nice people!

I love the GP aircons. Will go and do that straight away. Thanks Meglet.
And Purpleroses, there's a corner of the garden with long grass. Perhaps I'll pop them there for a bit when dusk hits. I've had them inside mostly as it's just blazing.
And the 36 degree is inside...grrrr. I couldn't sleep last night at all. I would have thought of envy, but having not slept for 5 nights and cranky as a nettle, I'm longing for England and squalls...

[TouTou]

Thanks diet coke. Damp towel, nice and simple.
And thanks 70s - my DD is chowing down on the strawberries at the mo and I'll give some to them as well.
I thought damp grass wasn't a good thing, but it makes sense to keep them hydrated.

[BonkeyMollocks]

Have you got sonera ceramic tiles?

Pop them down for them to lie on if they need too.

[BonkeyMollocks]

*some ceramic tiles tiles

[TouTou]

Wow, the advice is just fantastic. We do have some spare tiles downstairs. I'll pop one in in their covered bit. Thanks Bonkey (love the name )

Could I just use this opportunity to say how much I adore my GPs. We've had them nearly a year and they have been the best pets ever.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

People say to me "Oh it's hot in Peru/ freezing in Peru" but domestic guinea-pigs are not the same as their wild cousins.
It's like comparing a wild rabbit to a fancy breed pet bunny.

Pet guineas are chubbier, furrier (except your skinnies & vampires ) and don't have to worry about being lunch for any passing predator.
So they lose alot of their 'natural protection' for a cossetted life . (Fair trade I'd say)

[BonkeyMollocks]

Well your in good company there TouTou .
They are hard not to fall in love with. I have had mine less than two months and Im smitten

[TouTou]

And 70s - our are right chubsters. Aww...I especially love their chub little bums...





...please don't anyone know IRL that I just said that... shhhhhh....