Dutch rats are quite susceptible to hot and cold temperatures. Therefore, when the weather is cold, you need to keep the guinea pig warm! One of the best ways to keep guinea pigs warm is to bring them indoors. You can also add items that can help warm the cage and the guinea pig, such as a heating pad. If the guinea pig cage is placed outside the house, make sure the floor and wall surfaces are covered with insulation to keep the guinea pig warm.
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Method 1 of 2: Keeping Dutch Rats Warm
Step 1. Bring guinea pigs into the house if it is very cold outside (below 16 °C)
Dutch rats are quite susceptible to cold. Therefore, it is better to move the guinea pig into the house when the weather is very cold. Alternatively, you can also build a warm building when the weather is very cold.
- Like humans, guinea pigs can suffer from hypothermia if they stay too long in very cold temperatures.
- If the guinea pig cannot be moved indoors, you will need to keep it warm when outside.
Step 2. Cover the holes where the cold air enters the house with a towel or other gauze
If you live in an old house, cold winds can make the room even colder. Therefore, use a towel to plug gaps under doors and other cold air holes in the room where the guinea pig is. You may also need to cover the window gap with a towel.
- You can also use a gauze specially designed to seal gaps under the door.
- This stage is very important if the air conditioner in your home is off.
Step 3. Keep guinea pigs away from doors and windows
If possible, place the guinea pig cage in the most central room. Generally, doors and windows are sources of cold air. In addition, the area around the outer walls and windows will certainly be cooler than the center area of your home.
If the guinea pig cage is placed in a room with a door facing directly to the outside, do not open and close the door too often
Step 4. Place the towels and blankets
Blankets can be used as a suitable place for guinea pigs to curl up and warm themselves. You can use any type of blanket, but choose a smaller one. A small fleece blanket is a good option.
You can also use used towels that have been cut
Step 5. Cover the floor of the cage with 5-7 cm thick paper or straw chips
Coat the floor surface of the Dutch rat cage with paper chips or straw evenly. Dutch rats can curl up and hide in them to warm their bodies.
- Straw is a good option because it can absorb the body temperature of guinea pigs. In addition, straw can also absorb fluids well when Dutch rats defecate.
- Do not use wood chips as they generally contain chemicals.
- Don't use cotton wool as guinea pigs can eat it. Cotton wool should not be eaten by guinea pigs.
Step 6. Place the little rabbit's crate into the guinea pig's cage so he can curl up in it
These small crates are an excellent option for keeping guinea pigs warm. Generally, these small crates can be purchased at the nearest pet store.
- You can also make this chest out of a shoebox with a hole on one side. Add a flannel or towel strip. Dutch rats will warm themselves comfortably in this shoe box.
- As an alternative, you can also use a small bed made of flis. Generally, these beds are small pockets made of flis.
Step 7. Use a pet-safe heating pad
Heat this pillow in the microwave, then place it in a guinea pig cage. The heating pad will keep the guinea pig warm for 8 hours. In addition, Dutch rats can also safely warm their bodies.
- You can buy this heating pad online or at your nearest pet store.
- If you don't want to use a heating pad, pour warm water into a bottle and wrap it in a towel. Make sure the water used is not boiling water.
Method 2 of 2: Keeping the Cage Warm Outdoors
Step 1. Move the guinea pig cage to a warehouse or building if possible
If the guinea pig cage can't be moved indoors, you can move it to a shed or outside building to keep it warm. In addition, Dutch rats will also be protected from predators.
- However, make sure the warehouse or building you choose has windows. Dutch rats certainly don't want to be left in the dark for too long.
- If the Dutch rat cage cannot be moved indoors, place it next to the house. By doing this, the guinea pig cage will remain protected from wind and rain. Orient the cage so that the door is not facing wind and rain.
Step 2. Cover the floor of the guinea pig cage with newspaper or thick straw
Use at least 10-12 sheets of newspaper. You can add paper chips or straw on top of the newspaper to make it warmer. Alternatively, you can also use dry grass.
Dutch rats like to eat dry grass. Therefore, covering the floor of the cage with dry grass can warm the guinea pig and also increase food sources for it
Step 3. Make sure the bedding of the guinea pig remains dry
When guinea pigs are placed outdoors, their bedding can get wet from the rain. Besides being able to make Dutch mice cold, wet bedding can also cause respiratory problems and fungal infections. Make sure you check your guinea pig bedding every day. If the bedding gets wet, replace it with a new one immediately.
Step 4. Protect the guinea pig cage with a waterproof cover
Cloth cover can keep guinea pigs from rain and cold wind. This cover will cover the outside of the cage and protect the guinea pig from rain.
You can buy these covers online or at your nearest pet store
Step 5. Cover the Dutch rat cage with carpet
If a blanket doesn't cover the entire cage, a rug covering the outside of the cage can make it warmer. Glue the carpet to the outside of the cage to keep the guinea pig warm.
Provide enough space for air and light to enter
Step 6. Install the thermometer in the cage
You need to observe the temperature of the guinea pig cage carefully. To be more practical, use a smart thermometer that can be connected to your phone. By doing this, you will get a notification when the cage temperature drops drastically.
You can buy this thermometer online
Step 7. Place a blanket, crate, and heating pad into the cage
You can make a cage placed outdoors warmer by providing a warm place for the guinea pig. Place towels and flannel blankets, as well as small crates and other small structures in the cage so the guinea pigs can curl up in them. Place a microwave-warmed heating pad in the cage to keep the guinea pig warm throughout the night.
