In the summer, it can be difficult to keep your guinea pig outside or even to play with them in your yard if it is raining heavily. Guinea pigs do not enjoy bathing, so do you think they will enjoy being outside in the rain as well? Can you allow your guinea pigs to spend a short period of time outside in the rain without getting wet? My extensive research revealed the following, which I have summarized for your convenience. Because their body temperature will drop, leaving your guinea pigs outside in the rain can result in hypothermia, which is a life-threatening condition. If you are housing your guinea pig outside and providing them with a safe place to hide when they desire, you will not have a problem with this. If you don’t want them to get wet, you should keep them out of the rain as much as possible. However, even during the rainy season, you can allow your guinea pigs to roam freely in the yard if they are in good health and have a safe place to hide during heavy downpours. In any case, make certain that they will be able to get away from the rain if it becomes too heavy. You may also need to intervene if the storm becomes too intense, in which case you will be required to remove them. When they are young and old, guinea pigs should be kept out of the rain as much as possible. It is recommended that you keep them away from your home because they are prone to respiratory illnesses and other health problems.
If your guinea pigs come into contact with a rain shower and become wet, dry them off with a soft towel and then clean them with a soft towel to avoid any infection or disease.
You should also be aware of some of the dangers that can arise if you allow them to go outside while it is raining. Continue reading until the very end to learn everything you need to know about it.
Important: We do not recommend that anyone leave their guinea pigs outside in inclement weather, regardless of the weather forecast. Moreover, this guide is intended to assist you in comprehending the potential dangers of leaving your guinea pigs wet for an extended period of time, which may include drowning.
Can guinea pigs get wet?
A rain bath can be taken outside by healthy, well-cared-for guinea pigs who live in an enclosure that is both dry and warm. If the weather permits, they can go outside to enjoy the rain.
To ensure that their animals’ cages remain weatherproof, it is the responsibility of all guinea pig owners to make sure that the cages are repaired as soon as any damage occurs.
Because your guinea pigs are either too old or too young, or because they are suffering from any health problems, you should not allow the rain to fall on them.
When guinea pigs from any of these categories are exposed to water in the rain, they are at an increased risk of developing life-threatening health problems.
How guinea pigs survive in the rain
Guinea pigs in good health who live in a dry and warm environment can go outside to take a rain bath if they are in good health.
Everyone who owns guinea pigs is responsible for making sure that their animals’ cages are weatherproof, and if there is any damage to the cage, it must be repaired as soon as possible.
If your guinea pigs are too old, too young, or suffering from any health problems, you should not allow the rain to fall on their heads.
Getting wet in the rain increases the likelihood of developing critical health conditions in any of these types of animals, including guinea pigs.
Water-resistance fur
A specific amount of hydrophobic properties can be found in the fur of guinea pigs, which aids in repelling the majority of water that comes into contact with it.
Similar to how a leaf holds water without soaking it, and then the water condenses into droplets that slide down the leaf, this method works in a similar way. The fur of a guinea pig performs functions that are similar to human skin.
The bodies of guinea pigs do not come into contact with water because water drips off their bodies rather than being absorbed by the fur on their bodies, preventing contact with water.
The hydrophobic properties of guinea pig fur aid in the preservation of the animals’ shape while they are kept warm and comfortable. When the rain is heavy, this method, on the other hand, is not very effective.
Provides insulation
Rain, for example, is not a problem for guinea pigs because their fur structures are designed to keep them protected from the elements.
The cuticle, the cortex, and the medulla are the three layers that make up a guinea pig’s hair, and they are all intertwined and interdependent on one another. Similarly to the medulla of humans, the medulla of guinea pigs is filled with cells that are filled with air.
Every column of guinea-pig fur is made up of empty pillars with trapped air inside them, which helps to keep the animals warm in the winter, according to Tha.
Guinea pigs’ fur can protect them from the bitter cold of winter and the scorching heat of summer, but only to a certain extent, according to the National Geographic Society. Guinea pigs go to great lengths to avoid getting wet.
Several studies have demonstrated that when guinea pigs’ fur becomes dripping wet, it reduces the insulation provided by the fur, resulting in a rapid drop in their body temperature.
Learn about guinea pig shedding, as well as how it contributes to the animal’s ability to regulate its own body temperature.
Do guinea pigs like to get wet?
Guinea pigs are not fond of getting their feet wet, and this is no exception. The fact that they are more likely to experience chills and cold symptoms in themselves during the winter is particularly noteworthy.
In the event that you do decide to give your Guinea Piggy’s a bath in the shower, choose a day when the weather is pleasant and they will be able to dry themselves quickly.
What happens if a guinea pig gets wet?
Because of the rapid drop in temperature caused by being wetted by rain, Guinea pigs are more susceptible to respiratory problems when exposed to cold.
As a result of this stress, it is possible that your guinea pigs’ immune response will be suppressed.
A compromised immune system in the guinea pig can result in the animal becoming infected with diseases. This is possible. It is also possible to experience anaphylactic shock as a result of excessive cooling.
In the cooler months of the year and during the monsoon season, guinea pigs are more susceptible to hypothermia than other animals.
It takes a long time for guinea pigs to dry out after being wet, and they become extremely cold very quickly after being exposed to water.
Guinea pigs become stressed when they are exposed to hypothermia, and stressed guinea pigs may injure themselves or fight for a warm hiding place.
When stressed or frightened, guinea pigs have the ability to break their bones and injure themselves.
Moreover, due to the soft and flexible nature of their skin, when they are wet, their skin becomes even softer, increasing the likelihood of them suffering injuries such as cuts or wounds, which in turn increases the likelihood of them becoming infected with a virus.
Pneumonia
A bacterial or viral infection causes the lungs to become infected, leading to the development of pneumonia. Pets that are small, such as guinea pigs, have a higher risk of contracting this infection, which does not always occur as a result of rain.
The stress that guinea pigs experience when they are forced to live in cramped quarters or are unable to find shelter from cold and rainy weather leads to pneumonia in the animals.
Guinea pigs, like humans, suffer from respiratory problems as a result of stress; for example, they sniff through their noses to relieve themselves, which is referred to as snuffles.
Also read: Breathing problem in guinea pigs
Stress
Guinea pigs are extremely sensitive to sudden loud noises, such as thunderstorms and fireworks, and they should be kept away from them at all times when they occur.
Extremely loud and frightening sounds can cause your guinea pig’s adrenal glands to release the stress hormone epinephrine, causing their blood pressure and heart rate to rise, causing them to panic and flee.
Rain can stress out guinea pigs, which can result in fright paralysis, which is a neurological condition that affects the animals.
While guinea pigs do not die as a result of the condition known as fright paralysis, they become inactive and behave as if they are dead while they are suffering from it.
It has been discovered through depression and anxiety research that prey creatures use this technique to deceive and confuse their prey’s predators to survive.
Fur gets matted
It is also possible for damp fur to cause matting and lumps in the fur of guinea pigs, which can be quite irritating and difficult to manage when they are not groomed.
A common complaint among guinea pig owners is that their animals’ fur becomes matted, which is exacerbated by the fact that the animals themselves become frustrated as a result of the condition. Furthermore, getting rid of this type of hair can be a difficult task in some cases.
After several attempts at cleaning the animals’ fur, it may be necessary to clip the animals’ fur. This can be a stressful experience for both the owners and the animals involved.
You should avoid trimming matted fur because doing so may cause your guinea pig’s skin to become infected, which is not recommended. Comb their hair to untangle any knots that may have formed in the process.
Also read: How to get rid of matted hair in guinea pigs?
What to do if your guinea pigs get wet?
It is necessary to check on your guinea pigs in the event that they have no place to hide or are afraid of the rain to ensure that they are safe.
Due to their sensitive ears, guinea pigs are unable to clear water that becomes trapped inside their ears on their own because they lack the knowledge and skills to do so.
You must ensure that no water gets into their food because water can lead to infection and, in some cases, life-threatening situations in some animals, such as the head tilt that occurs in guinea pigs.
It is important to remember that when you see your guinea pigs getting wet, the first thing you should do is bring them inside and cover them with blankets until they are completely dry.
These factors will not cause stress or illness in your guinea pigs at any point during the experimentation.
A final word of caution: do not use a hairdryer to dry your animals because doing so will scare them and, in some cases, cause skin irritation and burns.
On the other hand, if your dog is long-haired, you may not have much of a choice and may have to use a hairdryer to get them to dry quickly.
It’s important to get your guinea pig checked out as soon as possible if it’s shivering or not moving at all.
Also read: Cold ears in guinea pigs
Conclusion
Guinea pigs are capable of grooming themselves, as long as their cage is kept clean and free of debris. They spend the majority of their time cleaning themselves.
When it comes to giving your guinea pigs a shower bath every now and then, make sure to follow all of the safety precautions that have been established.
If they get wet while you’re playing with them outside, you must dry them as soon as possible to avoid them becoming moldy.
It is important to remember that after guinea pigs have been wet, they should be kept in a warm environment for a few hours to prevent irritation and cold from developing.
Because they are highly sensitive to rain and can become infected very quickly, it is important to keep your guinea pigs as far away from it as possible.
The most important thing you can do for your guinea pigs is to keep them happy and entertained at all times, while also thinking about their welfare.
