Why Did My Guineas Die

demonmagus

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Hi, last winter, my 2 8 month old guineas died. They were in an outdoor hutch, which was quite big, had plenty of hay, water every day and enough food. One day one of them was found on its side, still breathing, he died a few minutes later, then, the same thing happened a few weeks later with the other. Was this related to the cold? I can't see any other problem, the water didn't freeze either so could someone please tell me what happened :-(
 
It was probably from the cold. Guinea pigs are from South America where it's usually between 70 and 80 degrees. Any higher or lower can cause big problems with them. I'm sorry to hear of your loss :( Normally, piggies don't do well in outside hutches. They are very sensitive to temperature changes.
 
Mine only stayed outside in the height of summer.

Sorry you lost them but I would say the cold as well. If you get any more then keep them inside, you can get some nice indoor cages or bring the outside cage in if you have somewhere for it to go.
 
MY grandma wouldn't let me take them inside, I knew that it was probably the cold, I'm now qute angry tbh, and if I do get any more, I'll make a correx indoor cage. Just wondering, do they have to have outdoor time every day?

thanks
 
In the winter no. In the summer they will benefit from some outdoor time but dont leave them out at night unless its warm. Also if the hutch is in a sunny spot, piggies can overheat really quickly and die of heat stroke as the inside of the hutxh cen get really hot.
In the winter its vital you give them plenty of hay and mine loved to eat straw as well.
 
I would never house a Guinea Pig outside during the winter. They should be indoors, a shed, garage(not used by cars) by early October and not put back outside if you really wanna until late March time. I keep all 12 of my pigs indoors, in the house and 4 live at my Mother in laws so they live outside in a heated shed.

I get really worried this time of year, Pet stores sell hutches and even rabbits and guinea pigs, Guinea Pigs arent ment to be kept with rabbits or outdoors during winter. Why cant people keep them inside like mice, hamsters, rats and gerbils is beyond me, they are a rodent.

Emma x
 
Hi, my grandma wouldn't let me put them inside, I had my doubts about leaving them outside, but the guy at the pet shop said they would be fine - I didn't believe them - she did, and now she thinks I killed them by not caring for them :grr:
 
try showing her a map of where guinea pigs come from and point out how much closer it is to the equator than your house is....
 

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