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Someone thinking about getting one or more guinea pigs can learn a lot about these cute creatures. The potential owner should know what food these animals need to stay healthy and what cage to buy, as well as the required care for them. In addition to these things, the guinea pig owner should be aware of their pet’s sensitivity to extreme heat.
Find out which temperature is too high for a guinea pig. Also, recognize the signs of heatstroke and what you can do to keep your guinea pig from overheating.
Which temperature is too high for guinea pigs?
An environment with temperatures over 75 degrees Fahrenheit is too hot for a guinea pig. The ideal temperature range for this pet is 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
If your guinea pig is in an environment with temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit, it can overheat and get heatstroke. Overheating can be fatal to a guinea pig.
Why is it important to control the temperature in a guinea pig cage?
It is important to keep an eye on the temperature of the cage with this pet because they have very few ways to cool down. This small mammal does not sweat, so it cannot give off heat to its furry body. Unfortunately, a guinea pig can overheat in minutes. Once this happens, the guinea pig can die of heart failure. This is why it is so important to control and monitor the temperature of the cell.
How do wild guinea pigs regulate body temperature?
There are several ways in which wild guinea pigs regulate their body temperature so as not to overheat. One way is to retreat into your burrow during the hottest part of the day.
Guinea pigs live in burrows abandoned by other animals. The temperature in the burrow is lower because it is underground. In addition, the mink gives the wild guinea pig a shade from the sun.
The second way wild guinea pigs regulate their body temperature to prevent heatstroke is by drinking plenty of water. This helps keep their bodies cool.
In addition, the wild guinea pig is active during the coolest hours of the day. In particular, they go out on exploration at dawn and in the evening when the sun goes down. During these periods of the day, not only are temperatures lower, but there is also less sunshine. In addition, predators of wild guinea pigs have poor vision of their prey in low light.
What are the signs that the guinea pig is overheated?
If the room temperature is over 75 degrees Fahrenheit, it is important for the owner to look for signs that his pet may be overheating. Of course, the first thing to do is to place the guinea pig in a cooler environment.
One of the signs of an overheated guinea pig is shortness of breath. When a guinea pig is breathing hard, its mouth is open and it is breathing hard. The animal opens its mouth to release excess heat inside its body.
Lethargy is another sign of an overheated guinea pig. The pet can lie sideways on the floor of the cage. This means that the body of the guinea pig is exposed to heat. Remember that this pet rarely lays down in a cage, even when it is just sleeping.
Drooling is another sign that your guinea pig is overheated. This is a sign that your pet is in serious danger of dying from heatstroke.
Ways to keep your guinea pig cage cool
One of the easiest ways to prevent overheating and heatstroke is to place a thermometer next to the guinea pig’s cage. This way, the owner can immediately see if the room temperature is rising and take action.
The owner must constantly ensure that the pet has enough cool water. Guinea pigs are notorious for pouring water out of their bowls, so it’s wise to put a water bottle as an alternative. If the owner prefers to have a bowl of water for the guinea pig, choose one that is too heavy to tip over.
During the summer months, the guinea pig cage should be kept in an air-conditioned room. Installing a portable fan is another option for the owner. The fan will keep air circulating in the room. But make sure the portable fan is not pointed directly at the guinea pigs in the cage. The constant flow of air can be stressful for these small pets.
When trying to keep this pet cool, the position of the cage in the room can be critical. Place the cage away from any window that lets in a lot of sunlight. If the room has windows, lower the curtains during the hottest part of the day to lower the room temperature. Also, place the cage away from air vents on the wall or floor. The heat escaping from these vents can cause the cage to become very hot.
If the room has a heat lamp, make sure it doesn’t make it too hot for this pet. If the incandescent lamp gets too hot, move the cage or lamp to another room.
Radiators can generate a lot of heat. So, place the guinea pig cage away from the radiator in the room.
Before introducing a guinea pig, check the average temperature in each room in your house. This is an easy way to determine which room will be the best place for your pet’s cage. As a side note, measure the temperature in different places in the room. The temperature can vary within the walls of a large room.
An owner who allows his guinea pig to play outdoor sports must also take care of the temperature. The outdoor exercise area should have a shaded area where the guinea pig can go to cool off.
Some owners set up small wooden shelters and tunnels in the open area for guinea pigs. This allows them to rest in a shady area with ample airflow. Of course, if the outside temperature rises above 75 degrees or below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the guinea pig should stay indoors. Remember, it only takes a guinea pig a few minutes to overheat and die of heatstroke.
What to do if your guinea pig overheats?
The overheated guinea pig should be brought to the veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment. But there are a few things the owner can do before the guinea pig gets to the veterinarian’s office.
Try giving your guinea pig some cool water. A guinea pig lying on the floor of the cage can draw a small amount of water through a pipette.
Place your guinea pig’s feet in cool water. This can help lower your pet’s body temperature. Alternatively, fill a spray bottle with cool water and spray your guinea pig to lower its body temperature.
It is useful to wrap an overheated guinea pig with a towel dipped in cool water. The towel should be damp, but not completely wet. Also, the towel should be wrapped around his body, not the head of the pet.
Are young guinea pigs more susceptible to overheating than adults?
Yes, young guinea pigs are even more at risk of heatstroke than adult guinea pigs. Their systems are not as strong as those of adult guinea pigs, so even more care should be taken with them.
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