Are you a new guinea pig owner wondering what to expect this winter? Or maybe you’ve noticed your guinea pigs slowing down and eating more as the seasons change. Do guinea pigs hibernate?
In this article, we’ll discuss guinea pig hibernation, torpor, and how to keep your guinea pig warm and healthy throughout the winter months.
Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate?
No, guinea pigs do not hibernate. Guinea pigs were domesticated from South America, where animals don’t have to worry about storing fat or sleeping through the winter months. For wild guinea pig species, food and warmth are available year-round.
However, like hamsters, guinea pigs can go into torpor if they struggle to retain body heat in the cold. A low body temperature can make a guinea pig very tired and still, as they’re trying to preserve energy to make it through the cold.
Torpor is useful to guinea pigs in extreme conditions, as it can help them survive, but a pet guinea pig should never have to experience it. A guinea pig in torpor is experiencing extreme neglect from its owner, who has a responsibility to keep it safe and warm.
Why is my Guinea Pig Not Moving?
If your guinea pig is not moving, you should see a veterinarian immediately. This is a sign that they’re very sick, and it should be treated as an emergency.
Many things can cause a guinea pig to stop moving, including cold weather. As we discussed above, a low body temperature can lead to torpor, which causes lethargy. Other possibilities include bloat, GI stasis, or a large variety of other medical problems.
Why Won’t My Guinea Pig Leave Their House?
If your guinea pig is spending more time in their hides than usual, please see a veterinarian. Guinea pigs hide pain and illness well, often not showing clear signs until it’s emergent. Behavioral changes are often the first sign of illness and should be taken seriously.
If your guinea pig is new or has always been this way, it’s more likely a sign of stress or fear. Guinea pigs are prey animals and are often afraid of people, especially without proper socialization.
The best thing you can do is to sit by your piggies’ cage, talk quietly, and slowly set veggies near the opening of their house. Try to avoid loud noises and sudden movements, and don’t touch them unless necessary for health or grooming purposes.
When you do need to handle your guinea pig, approach from the front or side and scoop them up from below rather than reaching top-down. Be quick and confident, and try to avoid chasing them around the cage.
Lastly, if you have a single guinea pig, this can add to their skittishness. Adopting a friend for them (and bonding them together properly!) can make a huge difference in their confidence levels.
What do Guinea Pigs do in the Winter?
Wild species of guinea pigs don’t experience cold winters, as they live in hot climates. Our pet guinea pigs shouldn’t act too differently in the winter, either, so long as they’re properly cared for.
You may notice them eating more food to help them retain body heat, especially if your home is cooler than it was during summer. They may also drink less water than they did in summer.
If they’re feeling cold, you might notice less activity in your guinea pigs’ cage. They may spend more time in fleece hides or other warm locations.
Ensure your guinea pigs are kept away from cool drafts and that the temperature in their enclosure is over 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Generally speaking, if you’re comfortable with that, then they will be as well. If you’re feeling cold, please remember that guinea pigs can’t put on an extra sweater or blanket. You might need to keep the house a little warmer for them.
If you see big changes in your guinea pig’s personality or habits, the winter season might not be to blame. These are often the first signs of illness, so we recommend scheduling an appointment with your local exotic pet veterinarian.
How to Keep Guinea Pigs Warm in Winter
Guinea pigs don’t typically make good outdoor pets, as most areas get too hot for them in the summer, too cold for them in the winter, or both. Unless you have a temperature-controlled outdoor space that stays between 65-80°F, your guinea pigs need to live indoors.
Here are some more tips to keep your guinea pigs warm in the winter:
- Place their enclosure away from drafts.
- Add fleece items or bedding to the cage. These, like blankets, let guinea pigs get cozy and retain heat.
- Keep a space heater in your guinea pigs’ room, but not too close to their cage (to prevent overheating).
- Place a fleece forest or towel over part of the cage to help retain heat. Remember, guinea pigs need ventilation, so don’t cover the entire cage!
- Purchase a pet heating pad for your piggies–ones made for people often get too hot and aren’t recommended for pets.
If your guinea pigs aren’t moving from the warmest parts of the cage or seem reluctant to move generally, it’s likely too cold for them, and you’ll need to heat up their environment. Exercise is important for guinea pigs, even in the winter.
On the other hand, make sure your guinea pigs aren’t too hot! Give them space to escape warm objects such as heating pads, provide plenty of ventilation in their cage, and keep temperatures below 80°F.
How to Know if Your Guinea Pig Has Hypothermia
Symptoms of hypothermia in guinea pigs include:
- A low body temperature – a normal temperature for guinea pigs is 100-102°F
- Cold ears, nose, and feet
- Pale skin, especially on the ears, nose, or feet
- Shivering
- Lethargy
- Shallow breathing
- Slow heart rate
- Going into a deep sleep
If you think your guinea pig has hypothermia, please see a veterinarian immediately for help. Move them to a warmer location, but remember not to warm them up too quickly, as this can cause shock.
