Question about temperature

[dobie]

Can anyone tell me at which temperatures piggies are happy at? We have enclosed our porch and would love to keep her there, but the temperature at night might get down to the mid- to low-50's or so. Will this be too cold for her at night? Thank you!

[Foggycreek]

Out on the porch isn't really a good place for a pet. They need to be inside, part of the family. Outdoor pets tend to get neglected.

As far as temperature, if it's not comfortable for you to sit out there for hours without a coat on, then it's not for her, either.

[Sandy_Acres]

I was looking for something on Pregnancy and found this article. Thought it might be of interest...

by David Hardesty

The Cavy as a Product of EvolutionCavies originally evolved in the middle altitudes of the Andes Mountains in South America. There are over thirty species in the family Caviadae, found in South America., of which the genus Cavia is the subset to which Cavia cutleri and Cavia porcellus belong. By nature they are like little buffaloes, to use a North American equivalent, who graze in the high grasses of the high Andes plateaus. Because these habitats are found close to the Equator, there is really no distinct "summer" or "winter". The temperature range between the daytime high temperature of "winter" and the daytime high of "summer" may only be a 15 degree F difference. Put simply, the daytime temperature range is virtually stable all year round. Because these habitats are high in the mountains, instead of it be always hot year round, as in the jungles found directly to the East, at sea level, in the Amazon River basin, the temperature is by any standard very pleasant. It's never too cold, never too hot. The humidity would also be very low as most of the moisture from the clouds will have been squeezed out and rained down on the lower altitudes as the clouds ascended the mountains. The environment doesn't have enough water to support trees so tall grasses are the predominate flora. This would classify the environment as semi-arid, very similar to the climate in Denver, Colorado. A characteristic of mountainous semi-arid environments is that it will get chilly at night. So there you have it: Never very hot during the day, but it gets decidedly chilly at night. Ten of thousands of years of evolution have never placed a premium on the ability of the cavy to tolerate very hot temperatures, because they never had to deal with excessive heat. There was no environmental "advantage" for cavies would could endure high heat. There was, though, an evolutionary advantage for those cavy ancestors which evolved a compact, cobby body which could absorb heat readily and retain body heat when the temperatures in this semi-arid environment would get colder at night. Short, stubby limbs were simple to tuck the limbs under the body when laying down, to conserve body heat. Also these short limbs would have a greatly reduced surface area from which heat might radiate and be lost: The cavy has evolved with little ability to endure high temperatures, and a much greater ability to endure the cold by virtue of a short, cobby body which will retain body heat.

[papiggieluverz]

I have read that they can handle the cold. But I wouldn't keep her out on the porch.

We just moved our guinea pigs downstairs to the den where it's cooler and we have alot more room so the air circulates alot better.

[Mutty]

You also have to think about, snakes, rats,mice,and intects getting into their cage.

A freind of mine recently lost her Budgie, when a snake got in and ate it. The snake was stil in the cake when she found out.

I would keep them indoors for safety and comfort.

[papiggieluverz]

Oh my, Mutty that's so sad.

I would definitely keep them indoors.

[dobie]

I'm sorry; I've been out of town until this morning and only logged on now.
I should have been more clear: our porch has just been completely enclosed and carpeted, and it's where we spend all our time relaxing, which is why we want her there with us during the day. It's just too much of a mission to carry her cage inside during the night, so I need to find out if the night time temperature of around 50 - 58 will be too cold. Thanks all for responding.

[Foggycreek]

Oh, that's good that you spend a lot of time out there.

Could you make a night-time cage for in the house at night?

[Klynne]

I think 50 degrees is too cold for a domesticated guinea pig.

Moving a large care twice daily certainly does not sound practical, as you said. Perhaps you can keep her cage inside, and make her a playpen to exercise in when you are spending time on the enclosed porch area.

Foggycreek's suggestion is a good one, as well.

[SandyF]

Low 50's is too chilly. I like the idea of having the cage in your house, and a play area on the enclosed porch.