As temperatures soar, small pet owners, beware! Rabbits and guinea pigs are especially vulnerable to heatstroke, as they can’t effectively cool down like dogs can. Dr. Suzanne Moyes from Burgess Pet Care shares essential tips to keep your furry friends safe this summer.
🌞 Shade their outdoor homes: If your rabbits or guinea pigs are outside, ensure their enclosures are in the shade. Remember, the sun moves, so keep an eye out!
🌀 Cool their space: Drape a damp towel over the hutch to block the sun and offer relief. Just make sure it’s well wrung-out—no soggy messes here!
🐾 Lots of hay: Fill their shelters with high-quality feeding hay. It insulates and gives them a comfy spot to munch away from the heat.
❄️ Flannel love: Give your rabbits or guinea pigs a gentle stroke with a cool, damp flannel. Focus on rabbits’ ears, as they lose heat there.
🧼 Keep it tidy: Regularly clean their enclosures to ward off flies and prevent flystrike. Remove uneaten veggies promptly—they rot quickly in the heat!
🚫 No baths, please! Even if you’re tempted, avoid bathing them in cold water. This can stress and shock their tiny systems, especially guinea pigs.
Let’s spread the word and keep our little companions cool, happy, and healthy! 🐰🐹❤️