Quick Answer
Guinea pigs should be kept at 17°C–20°C (63°F–68°F) to stay safe. If temperatures drop below 15°C (59°F), they are at risk of hypothermia and serious illness.
To keep guinea pigs warm in winter:
- ✅ Bring them indoors if possible
- ✅ Use microwavable heat pads inside hideouts
- ✅ Provide solid wooden houses filled with hay
- ✅ Ensure they have a bonded companion for warmth
- ✅ For outdoor housing: insulate hutches with foil bubble wrap, rain covers, and deep bedding
⚠️ Never use heat lamps, electric mats, or dress them in clothing — these are unsafe for guinea pigs.
Cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia or pneumonia, which may be fatal if not addressed quickly.
About This Guidance
I’ve cared for guinea pigs in the UK for nearly a decade, including through harsh winters. This article combines first-hand experience with research from trusted organisations such as the RSPCA, PDSA, and Blue Cross to help keep guinea pigs safe, comfortable, and healthy all winter long.
⚠️ Disclaimer: I am not a vet. This advice is based on personal ownership experience and UK animal welfare best practices. Always seek veterinary care if your guinea pig seems unwell.
Contents
- Safe Temperatures for Guinea Pigs
- Best Ways to Keep Guinea Pigs Warm Indoors
- Keeping Outdoor Guinea Pigs Safe in Winter
- Companionship Helps Keep Guinea Pigs Warm
- What Happens if Guinea Pigs Get Too Cold?
- What NOT to Use to Keep Guinea Pigs Warm
- FAQs
- Recommended Products
- Winter Guinea Pig Care Checklist (Printable + Free PDF)
- References
Safe Temperatures for Guinea Pigs
- Ideal temperature: 17°C–20°C (63°F–68°F)
- Too cold: Below 15°C (59°F) → risk of hypothermia
- Too hot: Above 26°C (78°F) → risk of heatstroke
👉 Rule of thumb: if you feel cold, your guinea pigs probably do too.
Even indoor guinea pigs can get chilly if housed in unheated spaces such as conservatories, garages, or north-facing rooms.
See our housing guide for more on safe setups →
Best Ways to Keep Guinea Pigs Warm Indoors
1. Use Microwavable Heat Pads
Microwavable heat pads made for pets are safe, chew-proof, and effective.
- Place inside a wooden hideout to trap warmth.
- Heat usually lasts several hours (often overnight).
- Always use the fleece cover supplied, or wrap in fleece/towel.
- Keep spare covers so one is always clean and dry.
✅ Recommended: Snugglesafe Microwavable Pet Heat Pad – long-lasting, safe, suitable for indoors and outdoors.
2. Provide Well-Insulated Hideouts
Not all hideouts keep guinea pigs warm.
- Best choice: Solid wooden hideouts with one entrance (reduces draughts).
- Avoid: Thin plastic hideouts (cold, no insulation).
- Fleece hideouts: Cosy for indoor use only (can get damp outside).
✅ Recommended:
- Resch Wooden Corner House (rabbit size) – fits heat pads and larger guinea pigs.
- HayPigs Harlequin Tunnel & Hideout – fleece indoor option.
- Cosy Cubes by The Hoghouse (Etsy) – enclosed fleece dens.
3. Add Extra Bedding Hay
Hay is not just food — it’s also excellent insulation.
- Fill hideouts with hay for burrowing.
- Always provide plenty of hay for outdoor guinea pigs in winter.
- Buy in bulk (farm hay) for better quality and value.
Hay doubles as food — read our feeding guide
Keeping Outdoor Guinea Pigs Safe in Winter
In the UK, winter nights often fall to freezing. The safest choice is to bring guinea pigs indoors. If this isn’t possible, their hutch must be heavily insulated.
🐾 The RSPCA also recommends keeping guinea pigs indoors during very cold weather whenever possible.
How to Insulate a Hutch
- Foil bubble wrap: Wrap around hutch for thermal protection.
- Thick blanket or curtain: Adds warmth, but leave ventilation gaps.
- Deep bedding: Layer shavings/hemp plus hay. Replace damp spots daily.
- Rain cover: Use heavy-duty clear tarpaulin for waterproofing.
- Outbuilding option: A shed can provide shelter, but ensure ventilation and no fumes (e.g., garages are unsafe).
⚠️ Tip: Wet bedding is dangerously cold. Spot-clean daily and replace with fresh dry bedding.
Companionship Helps Keep Guinea Pigs Warm
Guinea pigs are highly social animals and should never be kept alone. Beyond the emotional benefits of companionship, having a bonded friend also helps them stay physically warmer in winter.
When temperatures drop, guinea pigs often choose to snuggle together in their hideouts, sharing body heat and comfort. This natural behaviour provides an extra layer of warmth on top of insulated housing, bedding, and heat pads.
For this reason, I always recommend keeping guinea pigs in bonded pairs or small groups, rather than singly. Companionship not only improves their wellbeing year-round but can make the difference between staying cosy or becoming dangerously cold in winter.
What Happens if Guinea Pigs Get Too Cold?
If guinea pigs get too cold, they risk:
- Hypothermia – body temperature drops too low
- Pneumonia – life-threatening respiratory infection
⚠️ Both the Blue Cross and PDSA warn that respiratory illness is one of the biggest risks in winter.
Warning signs to look for:
- Lethargy or weakness
- Shivering or puffed-up fur
- Laboured or noisy breathing
- Hunched posture, reluctance to move
⚠️ Vet reminder: If your guinea pig shows these signs, contact a vet immediately.
What NOT to Use to Keep Guinea Pigs Warm
| Method | Safe? | Why / Why Not |
|---|---|---|
| Microwavable heat pad | ✅ Yes | Designed for pets, chew-proof, provides long-lasting warmth |
| Heat lamp | ❌ No | Made for reptiles; risk of overheating or burns |
| Electrical heat mat | ❌ No | Guinea pigs may chew cables → electrocution risk |
| Self-heating mat | ❌ No | Too weak for guinea pigs; inner foil dangerous if chewed |
| Clothing/jumpers | ❌ No | Stressful, unnatural, prevents grooming, risk of skin irritation |
FAQs
Can guinea pigs survive outside in winter?
Not safely. Unless their housing is heavily insulated and warmed, outdoor guinea pigs can develop hypothermia. The safest option is to bring them indoors.
Can guinea pigs wear jumpers in cold weather?
No. Clothing causes stress, prevents grooming, and may irritate their skin.
Are heat lamps safe for guinea pigs?
No. Heat lamps are designed for reptiles and can overheat guinea pigs quickly.
Can guinea pigs use electric heat mats?
No. Guinea pigs can chew the cables and risk electric shock. Always use microwavable heat pads instead.
Can guinea pigs live in a shed in winter?
Yes, but only if the shed is insulated, ventilated, and free from fumes. It must still be kept above 15°C.
Do hairless guinea pigs (Skinny Pigs, Baldwins) need extra warmth?
Yes. Hairless breeds are more sensitive to the cold and should always be kept indoors with additional heating support like microwavable heat pads.
How can I tell if my guinea pig is too cold?
Signs include shivering, puffed-up fur, lethargy, and huddling in one spot. Seek veterinary help if symptoms persist.
Is it safe to cover a guinea pig hutch completely at night?
Yes, but leave enough ventilation gaps to avoid condensation and ensure fresh air.
Can guinea pigs sleep outside in freezing temperatures if they have hay?
No. Even with hay, they risk hypothermia in freezing weather. They must be insulated or preferably brought indoors.
Can guinea pigs be kept in a garage in winter?
No. Garages often contain fumes from cars or chemicals, which are dangerous for guinea pigs. Instead, use a shed or outbuilding that is insulated, ventilated, and free from fumes.
Do guinea pigs need heating in winter if kept indoors?
Not usually, as most homes stay within their safe temperature range. However, guinea pigs in unheated rooms or conservatories may still need microwavable heat pads and extra bedding.
Recommended Products
| Product | Best For | Why We Recommend It |
|---|---|---|
| Snugglesafe Microwavable Heat Pad | Indoor & Outdoor warmth | Safe, chew-proof, holds heat for 6–8 hours |
| Resch Wooden Hideouts (Rabbit Size) | Insulated housing | Thick wood, single entrance, fits heat pads |
| HayPigs Harlequin Tunnel & Hideout | Indoor enrichment | Soft fleece, fun design, cosy but only for indoors |
| Cosy Cubes by The Hoghouse (Etsy) | Indoor cosiness | Enclosed cosy fleece dens handmade by small businesses |
| Clear Tarpaulin | Outdoor hutches | Affordable rain protection that still lets daylight in |
| Foil Bubble Wrap Insulation | DIY hutch insulation | Easy to attach, excellent thermal layer |
Winter Guinea Pig Care Checklist (Printable + Free PDF)
Here’s a quick reminder you can print and keep by your guinea pigs’ housing during the colder months.
📝 Printable Checklist: Winter Guinea Pig Care
✅ Keep indoor housing above 15°C
✅ Place a microwavable heat pad in each hideout
✅ Use solid wooden hideouts with one entrance
✅ Fill hideouts with fresh hay daily
✅ Insulate outdoor hutches with foil wrap, and tarpaulin
✅ Clean damp bedding every day
✅ Never use heat lamps, electric mats, or dress them in clothing
