How Warm Is Too Warm For Guinea Pigs?


guinea pig

In general, guinea pigs are healthy pets but it is good to keep in mind that they do not tolerate hot summer weather very well.

Guinea pigs overheat easily in hot weather. They have few adaptations for heat because their natural habitats are in temperate climates. The ideal range of temperatures is 65-75°F (18-24°C). The guinea pig’s age and health status affect its ability to tolerate higher and lower temperatures.

Temperature Regulation in Guinea Pigs

A guinea pig’s normal body temperature is 102°F – 104°F  (39°C – 40°C). Similar to most other animals, guinea pigs can regulate their temperatures but only to some degree.

The range of ambient temperatures at which animals do not need to spend energy to maintain their body temperature at baseline is called the thermoneutral zone (TNZ).

For most healthy adult guinea pigs the thermoneutral zone is about 65-75°F (18-24°C). As it gets warmer, the animal has to spend some energy to cool down, and overheating follows when your pet cannot self-regulate anymore.

These animals’ perfusion to the skin improves in hot weather to promote cooling down but they cannot sweat, which means that the guinea pig’s ability to lower body temperature is very limited. In their natural habitats, guinea pigs are crepuscular, or most active at dusk and dawn, which also allows them to avoid the hottest part of the day.

Individual Risk Factors for Overheating

Just like with most other mammals, there are risk factors that make a guinea pig more vulnerable:

  • Acute or chronic health issues, especially cardiovascular and respiratory conditions
  • Excessive weight
  • Dehydration
  • Old animals and young guinea pig pups are more susceptible to both hyperthermia and hypothermia
  • Lack of acclimation is also a factor: if your pet does not usually experience warm weather, it will have a harder time with the heat.

Proper hydration is essential to minimize the risk of heatstroke in your guinea pig.

In addition to individual animal characteristics, high air humidity outdoors and poor air circulation indoors are environmental risk factors.

Signs of Overheating

If your guinea pig’s body temperature reaches 104° F (40° C), the animal is at risk of deteriorating rapidly. Some animals decompensate at lower thresholds. These changes herald impending heatstroke:

  • Heavy drooling
  • Fast shallow breathing
  • Vomiting, diarrhea
  • Restlessness
  • Loss of balance, unsteady gait
  • Lethargy
  • Your pet feels hot

If Your Guinea Pig Overheated

Overheating is dangerous to any animal. Guinea pigs are vulnerable and their status could change quickly. There are the steps you should take immediately if you believe your pet is too hot:

  • Move the cage into a cooler area if possible
  • Give your pet cool water
  • Do NOT give your guinea pig ice or put ice on his body
  • Put cool wet towels all over your guinea pig

If you can, take your pet to a veterinarian, especially if the animal is lethargic, has behavioral changes, and is not drinking water. At that point, an animal might need an IV for hydration and possibly other interventions to save its life.

How To Protect Your Guinea Pig from Overheating

There are precautions you can take if the air is warmer than ideal for your guinea pig:

  • Provide access to plenty of cool water
  • Give your pet chilled vegetables to munch on
  • Make sure the cage is away from direct sunlight and heat sources
  • Keep the habitat in a room with good air circulation
  • Brush your pet to remove any excess shedding hairs and to lighten the coat
  • Use cool damp cloths to wipe your pets to help them cool off
  • If you do not have AC and think that it might get warm often in your home, consider getting a small cooling mat for your guinea pigs.

To Conclude

Guinea pigs are highly vulnerable to heatstroke.

Keep their habitat indoors on hot days and make sure they have plenty of cool water. If you notice any changes in the behavior of guinea pigs, especially lethargy or behavioral changes, as well as decreased intake and output, your pet might be too hot. Given how fast, animals decompensate after developing heatstroke, a visit to a veterinarian might be essential to save the animal’s life.

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