Is Your Home Climate Guinea Pig Friendly?

September 14, 2020

Guinea pigs are sensitive and fragile little creatures and just like humans, they are most comfortable with certain climate conditions.

What is a guinea pigs natural environment?

Despite the fact that domesticated guinea pigs like and act quite differently than there wild little cousins, their environmental needs are actually quite similar.

In the wild, guinea pigs live in the grasslands and savannah. In the wild, guinea pigs enjoy dry, clean air and moderate temperatures. For our fluff balls, it’s a good idea to try to replicate this environment.

Humidity

Guinea pigs do much better in dryer air. Piggies have very delicate respiratory systems which are prone to infections. Humid air is not only uncomfortable to pigs but also dangerous to health as it makes it easier for them to develop respiratory illnesses.

Ideally, you should try to keep the relative humidity around 50% - 60% percent. This range is also typically most comfortable for humans as well! A cheap hygrometer can help you measure your home’s humidity. A de-humidifier can be used to reduce your home’s humidity if you find it is too high.

Temperature

Guinea pigs are very sensitive to high temperatures. Unlike humans, they cannot sweat to cool themselves off and are therefore at high risk of heatstroke.

Although piggies do better in low temperatures, temperatures below 65 F can put your piggies at risk of respiratory illness. The ideal temperature range is 70F - 75F.

If you cannot keep your home in this range regularly, you should contact your vet about what can you do. In a heat wave, you should be mindful of your piggies temperature.

Noise

Guinea pigs are skittish creatures who scare very easily. Sudden noises can easily shock them. Try to find an area in your home where there are not many sudden sounds and fast movements.

When finding a calm place for your pigs, do remember that your piggies still like to be around family members and spending time near their cage will help them feel nurtured and loved. If you decided to have your piggies cage away from usual family activities, take some time to just be with them on a regular basis. It’s great to spend an afternoon working or studying near your pigs’ cage.

Air Quality

Since guinea pigs have such sensitive respiratory systems, you should ensure that your pigs environment has clean air. Keep strong smells from cooking and chemicals away from your pigs. Never smoke near your guinea pigs. An air filter would be a good investment for the room that houses your pig cage as their hay and bedding may produce dust.