How Cold Is Too Cold
The RSPCA says room temperatures of 17 to 20°C are ideal for guinea pigs, and that below 15°C they can become chilled. Guinea pigs do not cope well with big changes in temperature either. For rabbits the RSPCA puts the ideal at 10 to 20°C, and says that pet rabbits do not have the thick fur of wild ones, so they are more sensitive to low temperatures.
Delhi NCR winter nights are colder than those limits, often well under 10°C in January. So a cage on a balcony, a terrace or in a room that is open to the night air is not safe from December to February.
Where to Put the Cage
- Inside the home, in a room with a door that closes, away from windows that leak air and gaps under doors. The RSPCA says to keep both animals away from draughts.
- Away from direct heat. The RSPCA says to keep guinea pigs away from radiators and other direct heat sources, and rabbits away from radiators, fires and wires. If you warm the room, keep the cage well away from the heater.
- Away from big swings. A cage that sits in a warm sunny window by day and in a cold corner at night puts the animal through the kind of sudden change guinea pigs handle badly.
Moving your pets from outside to inside, or back? The RSPCA warns that outdoor rabbits can find the change in temperature hard, so do it slowly, and if you are moving them back out after winter, wait until the days are at least 10°C.
Bedding and Hideouts
The RSPCA says guinea pigs need warm bedding that is safe to eat, such as dust-free hay, and warns against softwood such as pine and against fluffy materials such as cotton wool, which can tangle round them. Coarse straw can hurt their eyes. Give a thick layer of hay in the corner they sleep in, and a hideout for each animal plus one more. See Organic Bedding Hay and hideouts in the cage size guide. For rabbits, the RSPCA lists dust-free hay, dust-free straw and shredded paper as safe bedding.
Keep the Routine
- Same food, same times. Hay is still the main meal, and the RSPCA says to keep a rabbit’s diet and routine consistent because changes cause stress. See the hay guide.
- Same exercise. Rabbits do not hibernate, so they need their usual time out to run.
- Same checks. Look at your pets every day. The RSPCA says guinea pigs and rabbits hide illness.
Signs to Act On
The RSPCA says that because rabbits do not hibernate, a rabbit that looks lethargic, sleepy or limp may be ill and needs a vet immediately. For guinea pigs, it says to ask a vet at once if a guinea pig is not eating, is quieter than normal or is hiding more than usual, and if its droppings reduce or stop. See the signs in the guinea pig care guide and the rabbit care guide.
Hamsters in Winter
Blue Cross says a hamster that gets too cold can go into torpor, which is dangerous because it does not have the fat to survive long without food. Keep the cage indoors, away from draughts, direct sun and direct heat. If your hamster is cold and very still, warm the room slowly and call a vet. More in the hamster care guide.
Going Away in Winter
Guinea pigs and rabbits can stay at our farm in Sector 109: see guinea pig and rabbit boarding. Winter holidays such as Christmas fill up early, so book as soon as your plans are fixed.
Winter Care Questions
What temperature is too cold for guinea pigs?
Below 15°C, says the RSPCA, guinea pigs can become chilled. It puts the ideal at 17 to 20°C. Delhi nights in January are often well under 10°C, so keep the cage indoors.
Do rabbits need heating in a Delhi winter?
The RSPCA puts the ideal at 10 to 20°C. Keep the cage in a closed room, out of draughts and away from heaters and wires. If your room goes below 10°C at night, ask your vet how to keep your rabbit warm.
Can guinea pigs stay on a balcony in winter?
No. The RSPCA says to move guinea pigs indoors in temperatures below 15°C, and a normal Delhi night in December or January is colder than that.
Can I put a heater next to the cage?
No. The RSPCA says to keep guinea pigs away from radiators and other direct heat sources, and rabbits away from radiators, fires and wires. Warm the room, keep the cage away from the heater, and avoid big swings in temperature.
Do rabbits hibernate?
No. The RSPCA says rabbits do not hibernate, so a rabbit that is lethargic, sleepy or limp may be ill and needs a vet at once.
How do I keep a hamster warm in winter?
Keep the cage indoors, away from draughts and direct heat. Blue Cross warns that a hamster that gets too cold can go into torpor, which is dangerous. If yours is cold and very still, warm the room slowly and call a vet.
Sources
- RSPCA, guinea pig housing: 17 to 20°C is ideal, below 15°C can cause chilling, draughts, heat sources and bedding.
- RSPCA, rabbit housing: 10 to 20°C is ideal, sensitivity to low temperatures, and keeping away from draughts, radiators and fires.
- RSPCA, winter care for rabbits: rabbits do not hibernate, keeping routines, and moving between indoors and outdoors.
- Blue Cross, hamster care: torpor in a hamster that gets too cold.