Hay friends!
Whew! I don’t know about where you are, but it’s HOT here. And let me tell you, my little potato-shaped body was not designed for this kind of weather!
Did you know my distant cavy relatives came from the Andes Mountains in Peru? Temperatures there are usually around 70°F, which is just about perfect for piggies like me.
No wonder I start looking a little droopy when summer cranks up the heat!
Know why? We don’t sweat. That means our bodies don’t cool down like yours do.
So if you notice your pet piggy is panting or unresponsive, they may be overheating.
In fact, heat stroke can happen super fast, so if you think your guinea pig has gotten too hot, call your vet right away.
The good news for me is that Big Momma knows what to do to keep me safe and comfortable, even on the hottest summer days. Let’s take a look.
Gizmo’s Guide to Staying Cool
1. Avoid direct sun.
Some days are just too hot for me to be outside, even in the shade. But on summer days when the temps are a little cooler, Big Momma always sets up a nice shaded area for me to relax. Or even when I’m inside, she makes sure my cage or play area isn’t where the sun is brightly shining through the window.
2. Keep air moving.
When the wind is blowing outside, I can tolerate warm temps a little better as long as I’m in the shade. But even indoors, I do better on warm days when the breeze is gently blowing through my fur. Actually, I don’t really like air blowing directly on me as much as just having some air circulating so I don’t feel stuffy.
3. Chillax.
I love chilling, and I love relaxing, but sometimes I need a little extra help. Big Momma has a couple of tricks to help me cool off when it’s extra warm.
One of her favorites is to place a frozen water bottle in my cage to help bring the overall temp down a bit. She always wraps the bottle in a chew-safe material so I don’t freeze my tiny tootsies off if I touch the frozen surface.
Another favorite is placing a special cooling tile in my cage or play area. These are usually made from marble or plastic and work kind of like a cool countertop. They are naturally a few degrees cooler than my body temperature. To really get that nice cooling effect, though, Big Momma will chill them in the fridge for a bit. Because they aren’t frozen, I can just spread out across the cooling tile and chill.
4. Drink Plenty of Fresh Water.
This seems like a no-brainer, but it is oh-so important, especially in the heat. Big Momma goes the extra mile to make sure I have plenty of cool, refreshing water to help me stay hydrated.
5. Snack Smart.
For guinea pigs, snacking is one of our all-time favorite pasttimes. And summer snacks don’t get much better than fresh, water-rich veggies like cucumbers, bell peppers, or zucchini. Mmmmm! Refreshingly delicious!
6. Hay All Day.
Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t make hay any less important to my diet. Hay and water make a pretty great team. Together, they help keep my tummy happy, and all that chewing helps wear down my constantly growing teeth.
Sometimes we guinea pigs don’t feel like eating as much when we’re warm, but it’s especially important to keep nibbling hay even when it’s hot outside. That’s why Big Momma makes sure I always have plenty of fresh, sweet-smelling Premium Small Pet Select Hay nearby. The fresher it smells, the harder it is for me to resist!
Summer can be lots of fun, but for little piggies like me, staying cool is serious business.
Speaking of which, I’m starting to feel a bit too much like a baked potato. I’d better go find my cooling tile. (Maybe I can convince Big Momma to bring me a nice cool cucumber too!)
Stay chill!
Love,
Gizmo
The Cool Cavy
