A–Z topic · G
Guinea pig winter care
Quick answer
**Guinea pigs belong indoors in UK winter.** Outdoor hutches are unsafe in cold and damp. Provide deep hay, hideaways, and a draft-free room at stable household temperature. Sneezing, lethargy, or not eating needs same-day vet care.
Key takeaways
- No — guinea pigs should be housed indoors in the UK. They tolerate cold poorly and can develop respiratory illness or hypothermia in outdoor hutches.
- They are comfortable around 17–20°C indoors. Prolonged exposure below roughly 15°C without warm dry bedding increases illness risk — keep them in a heated home.
- Draft-free room, deep hay bedding, hide houses, bonded pairs huddling, and avoid placing cages on cold floors or next to single-glazed windows.
The full guide
Causes, symptoms, treatment options and when to call your vet — in the complete plain-English guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can guinea pigs live outside in winter UK?
- No — guinea pigs should be housed indoors in the UK. They tolerate cold poorly and can develop respiratory illness or hypothermia in outdoor hutches.
- What temperature is too cold for guinea pigs?
- They are comfortable around 17–20°C indoors. Prolonged exposure below roughly 15°C without warm dry bedding increases illness risk — keep them in a heated home.
- How do I keep guinea pigs warm indoors?
- Draft-free room, deep hay bedding, hide houses, bonded pairs huddling, and avoid placing cages on cold floors or next to single-glazed windows.