Please refer to Peter Gurney's Heatstroke page / ensure your pig is not at risk in the first place & if they do succumb then seek immediate veterinary help !

'Outside' Pigs

If at all possible re-locate them indoors in a cool and well ventilated room and this will stop the problem in one easy step !

If this is not an option then you must ensure that your guinea pigs are safe from the heat outside - some suggestions are:

Ensure their cage/run is relocated to a shady area in the garden - for example -

• Under a tree [as long as there is no danger of things falling on to them] or amongst a shady area of hedging/shrubbery.
• Along the side of the house which is often shady due to neighbouring properties/fencing etc.
• Place a large sunshade/umbrella/gazebo over the cage, moving this as the sun moves during the day to ensure cover is maintained.
• Place heat reflective barriers on top of the cage or run - of the type used to keep cars cool in the summer.
• Be wary of putting the hutch inside a garden shed unless it is in a shady area and can have a mesh door fitted to allow air circulation. Definately do not put the hutch in a conservatory as these become incredibly hot.

Other tips:

• You can try placing cold damp towels over the hutch to help disperse the heat - replaced regularly.
• Provide frozen freezer packs wrapped in towels [so your guinea pig cannot nibble them as the contents are toxic] or drinks bottles 3/4 full of water that have been frozen- round ones are best to prevent your pig from sitting on top of them which might result in them becoming too chilled - and wrapped in towels - your pigs can lie near to these to help keep cool. Do not allow your guinea pig to have contact directly with the ice as this can cause a kind of 'freeze-burn' - always wrap the bottles/packs in towels.
• Keep the hutch extremely clean to prevent the attraction of flies - which lay eggs in the soiled bedding which hatch into maggots and can cause 'fly-strike' [Peter Gurney's fly-strike page]
• Ensure your pigs have fresh water in their drinking water bottles several times a day.
• If your pigs are out in their run, make sure it is placed in the shade, that you provide extra shade in the form of a box/tunnel for them to lie in, that they have plenty of fresh drinking water and supervise them at all times to ensure the sun has not moved and is now glaring down directly to your pigs - move the run when necessary.

If your guinea pigs are housed indoors they can still be susceptible to the extreme heat of a very hot day.

• Monitor how the sun moves around your house and which rooms are cool at which times and if possible relocate the cage to a cooler room when necessary.
• Try not to place the cage directly in front of things like patio doors etc and close the curtains to keep the room shady and cool if necessary.
• If it is possible and safe to do so leave some windows open to allow air circulation - though make sure your house security is not compromised and that your pigs are protected from any animal eg a cat which may enter your property this way.
• You may place an electric oscillating fan in the room to also help with air circulation though these only lower the temperature by a few degrees. Ensure they are not directed straight at the cage as guinea pigs do not tolerate draughts well.
• If you have air conditioning this should also be a huge help - but make sure again that the cavies are not in a direct draught and that the air does not become too dry and irrating for them.
• You can also provide the frozen water bottles as listed above.
• A ceramic floor tile or similar can also be placed in the cage for the pigs to lie on to cool down - place it somewhere cool - even the fridge - then lightly cover with a tea towel or similar and place in the cage.
• Again, provide plenty of fresh drinking water, nice refreshing slices of cucumber and ensure the bedding is kept clean, dry and fresh.