Hamsters, Mice, and Gerbils
Ideal Temperature: 18-24°C
Heating Tips:
Extra Bedding: Provide deep layers of safe bedding like aspen shavings or shredded non-scented toilet paper or teabag bedding. These animals burrow naturally and will use the extra material to nest and insulate themselves.
Avoid Drafts: Place the cage away from windows, doors, and air vents to reduce exposure to cold drafts.
Heating Pads: Use a snuggle-safe microwave heat pad under half of the cage outside, so they can move to a cooler area if they get too warm. Only use microwave pads designed for small animals to avoid overheating or burns.
Important: Avoid placing cages directly on the floor, as it tends to be colder, and always ensure they have a dark, cosy space to hide.
Rats
Ideal Temperature: 18-24°C
Heating Tips:
Insulated Bedding: Provide soft materials like fleece blankets, hammocks or shredded non-scented toilet paper or teabag bedding.
Heating Pads: Use a snuggle-safe microwave heat pad under half of the cage outside, so they can move to a cooler area if they get too warm. Only use microwave pads designed for small animals to avoid overheating or burns.
Warm Nesting Materials: Offer additional materials for them to build a nest, like shredded toilet/teabag paper.
Important: Rats are prone to respiratory issues, so avoid drafts and make sure the cage is dry and well-ventilated.
Rabbits
Ideal Temperature: 15-20°C
Heating Tips:
Indoor Setup: Consider bringing outdoor rabbits indoors during extreme cold. A porch or conservatory is perfect for them because they won’t get too hot. If you’re not able to bring them into your home, you could keep them in a car-free shed or garage. Remember: car fumes could be fatal. Be aware that if you move the rabbits from outdoor to indoor, the changing temperature could easily make them stressed which could make them ill. It is best to bring them indoor and turn the temperature up very gradually.
Straw Bedding: Straw is a great insulator and will help keep rabbits warm; provide a thick layer, especially in outdoor enclosures.
Shelter and Insulation: Add extra insulation to their hutch, such as an extra layer of wood on the outside, tarpaulin or thick blankets (avoid putting blankets inside as rabbits may chew them).
Heating Pads: Use a snuggle-safe microwave heat pad under the straw (with the towel wrap around), so they can move to a cooler area if they get too warm. Only use microwave pads designed for small animals to avoid overheating or burns.
Important: Avoid drafts, but ensure adequate ventilation to prevent respiratory issues.
Guinea Pigs
Ideal Temperature: 16-23°C
Heating Tips:
Indoor Setup: Consider bringing outdoor guinea pigs indoors during extreme cold. A porch or conservatory is perfect for them because they won’t get too hot. If you’re not able to bring them into your home, you could keep them in a car-free shed or garage. Remember: car fumes could be fatal. Be aware that if you move the guinea pigs from outdoor to indoor, the changing temperature could easily make them stressed which could make them ill. It is best to bring them indoor and turn the temperature up very gradually.
Shelter and Insulation: Add extra insulation to their hutch, such as an extra layer of wood on the outside, tarpaulin or thick blankets (avoid putting blankets inside as rabbits may chew them).
Extra Hay: Provide extra hay for burrowing.
Heated Pads: Use a snuggle-safe microwave heat pad under the hay (with the towel wrap around), so they can move to a cooler area if they get too warm. Only use microwave pads designed for small animals to avoid overheating or burns.
Important: Guinea pigs are prone to respiratory issues, so avoid damp or draft areas.
Degus
Ideal Temperature: 18-21°C
Heating Tips:
Nest Boxes: Provide cosy, insulated nesting boxes with plenty of soft bedding including shredded non-scented toilet paper or teabag bedding or hay.
Heating Pad: Use a snuggle-safe microwave heat pad under half of the cage outside, so they can move to a cooler area if they get too warm. Only use microwave pads designed for small animals to avoid overheating or burns.
Avoid Cold Drafts: Position their cage in a warm part of the home, away from windows and doors.
Important: Degus are prone to overheating, so aim for moderate temperatures and avoid prolonged exposure to direct heat sources.
Chinchillas
Ideal Temperature: 10-18°C; avoid humidity and temperature above 20°C
Heating Tips:
Nest Boxes: Provide cosy, insulated nesting boxes with plenty of soft bedding including shredded non-scented toilet paper or teabag bedding or hay.
Avoid Humidity: Keep the environment dry and draft-free; moist conditions can lead to respiratory issues.
Room Heating: Keep the room heated if the temperature dips too low; avoid direct heating in their cage.
Important: Chinchillas have sensitive respiratory systems, so ventilation is critical. Avoid excessive humidity or sudden temperature changes. Chinchillas are prone to overheating, so aim for moderate temperatures and avoid prolonged exposure to direct heat sources.
Ferrets
Ideal Temperature: 15-21°C
Heating Tips:
Indoor Setup: Consider bringing outdoor ferrets indoors during extreme cold. A porch or conservatory is perfect for them because they won’t get too hot. If you’re not able to bring them into your home, you could keep them in a car-free shed or garage. Remember: car fumes could be fatal. Be aware that if you move the ferrets from outdoor to indoor, the changing temperature could easily make them stressed which could make them ill. It is best to bring them indoor and turn the temperature up very gradually.
Shelter and Insulation: Add extra insulation to their hutch, such as an extra layer of wood on the outside or tarpaulin.
Warm Bedding: Use fleece blankets, hammocks, and snuggle-safe heat pad (under the blanket) to help ferrets burrow and stay warm.
Avoid Drafts: Keep their cage in a draft-free area and off cold floors.
Important: Ferrets are sensitive to both extreme cold and heat, so aim for a consistent, moderate temperature indoor or outdoor.
Cats
Ideal Temperature: 18-24°C
Heating Tips:
Warm Beds: Provide cosy, raised beds away from cold floors and drafts. Heated cat beds are also an option.
Blankets: Offer thick blankets and safe nesting spots around the house.
Window Perches: Create a warm perch by windows with lots of sunlight.
Important: Monitor outdoor cats closely in winter. If your cat spends time outside, ensure they have access to warm shelter, ideally indoors overnight.
Chickens
Ideal Temperature: Chickens can tolerate cold but ideally above 0°C
Heating Tips:
Bedding: Add extra straw or wood shavings in the coop to provide insulation.
Warm Food and Water: Warm their feed and use a heated water bowl to prevent freezing.
Insulated Coop or Run: Use foam board, bubble wrap or tarpaulin to insulate the coop or run, ensuring ventilation to prevent moisture build-up.
Important: Avoid using heating lamps in coops, as they can pose a fire risk. Chickens naturally huddle together for warmth.
General Tips for Keeping Small Animals Warm
Location: Place enclosures in a warm, draft-free area away from windows and doors. Elevated surfaces are warmer than floors.
Exercise: Ensure that animals get enough exercise to keep their blood circulating and stay warm, especially for those who can be let out of their cages.
Monitoring: Check on your pet’s body temperature regularly by gently feeling their ears, paws, or belly. If they seem cold, add extra bedding or adjust their heating options.
Hydration: Make sure your pet's water supply is unfrozen and accessible, especially if they live in outdoor enclosures. Stop their water bottles freezing by wrapping water bottles in bubble wrap or an old sock.
Heating: You can use an oil filled radiator in the room to keep the animals warm but not too close to their enclosure and watch out for them chewing the wire. Keep the animals away from fumes.