Small fluffies

Winter care advice – rabbits and guinea pigs

• Position a hutch so that wind, rain, snow or sleet can’t blow in. Cover the front with an old blanket or sacking, and add extra bedding
• If the weather’s particularly bad, move the hutch into an unused garage or shed. It’s better to keep guinea pigs inside in winter, in a conservatory or unused garage
• You can get insulated water bottle covers for winter. Nevertheless, check them regularly to make sure your pet can access water
• Your pet still needs to have access to their run during the day so they can get their regular exercises
• Provide lots of good quality hay as rabbits and guinea pigs need more calories to keep them warm
• Make sure your hutch is sturdy enough to survive the attentions of a determined predator – foxes and badgers are bolder than usual in the winter when they’re hungry

 

Fireworks season

• Hutches/cages and enclosures should be brought indoors into a quiet room, or into a garage or shed.
• Alternatively, turn the enclosure around so it faces a wall or fence.
• Provide extra bedding for your pet to burrow into.
• Cover aviaries or hutches with thick blankets or a duvet to block out the sight of the fireworks and deaden the sound of the bangs – while still ensuring there’s ventilation.