Keeping small pets warm in winter

How to keep outdoor rabbits (and guinea pigs!) warm in winter: A cosy care guide

Firstly, let’s take a moment to appreciate our long-eared friends! Rabbits are clever, curious, and surprisingly affectionate. They can be litter trained, love exploring, and form strong bonds with their humans. Watching a rabbit do a joyful mid-air “binky” (that mid-air twist and hop) can melt even the chilliest winter heart.

With proper care, rabbits can live 8–12 years or more, making them loyal and loving companions for families and animal lovers alike.

When the temperature drops and frost glitters on the garden, our small outdoor furry friends—rabbits and guinea pigs—need a little extra help to stay snug and safe. These gentle, social creatures may have fur coats, but they’re far from frost-proof! With the right care (and maybe a few extra treats and attention!), your bunnies and piggies can stay warm, healthy, and happily munching all through the colder months.

Keeping their environment clean, dry, and filled with safe, natural items helps ensure your furry companions stay healthy and happy all winter long.

Create a warm, safe shelter

If your rabbits or guinea pigs live outdoors, their hutch will need some winter upgrades. Start by moving it out of the wind—a shed or sheltered porch works perfectly. Avoid places with fumes or dampness. Also avoid closed garages where car fumes might linger.

Next, insulate the hutch by lining the inside with fleece blankets, straw, or old towels. Place extra hay and straw inside for burrowing and warmth and replace it often so it stays dry and fresh. You can even lift the hutch slightly off the ground to stop cold seeping in from below.

For extra weather protection, you can add a fluffy duvet to the roof of the shed or hutch before sealing it with some tarp to weatherproof it. This will ensure heat stays in their home for longer.

With transparent tarp, you can also cover some of the drafty windows and mesh walls to keep the cold air out but always ensure you are not covering up all holes or your pet could struggle to get fresh air.

For indoor pets, keep cages and pens away from draughty windows and radiators. Rabbits and guinea pigs prefer a consistent, comfortable temperature—not extremes of hot or cold. These small critters prefer to be warm, not toasty.

Companionship keeps them cozy

Rabbits and guinea pigs are social animals, and nothing beats shared body heat. Keeping them in bonded pairs or groups of their own species helps them snuggle together for warmth and comfort. Just make sure they’re compatible and have enough space—no one likes a winter cuddle with someone they don’t get along with!

Please always note that rabbits and guinea pigs cannot live together and they should always be kept in bonded pairs or groups of their own species unless being alone is deemed advisable by a veterinary or behavioural .

Feed for warmth and energy

Always check that water bottles and bowls aren’t frozen and replace icy water right away with lukewarm water. A small bowl of water indoors overnight can also help if outdoor bottles tend to freeze solid. A good winter diet helps keep small pets’ energy levels up. Fresh hay should always be available, along with their regular pellets and veggies. Because cold weather burns more calories, they may need a little extra food to maintain their weight. And don’t forget water—check bottles and bowls regularly ensuring they do not freeze over. You can also cover and wrap some fabric around bottles and bowls to keep them warmer.

Add a gentle heat source

For especially cold nights, microwaveable pet-safe heat pads can make a world of difference. These pads stay warm for hours and are much safer than electric heaters or hot water bottles. Simply wrap them in a towel before placing them in the hutch. Avoid electric heating pads or hot water bottles—they can easily become too hot or be chewed potentially causing harm to your much-loved pet.

Make sure there’s always a cooler area so your pets can move away from the heat if they get too warm.

Keep a close eye on their health

Cold weather can mask signs of illness, so check your rabbits and guinea pigs regularly. Look for damp bedding, reduced appetite, or unusual quietness. A clean, dry, and insulated hutch helps prevent chills, and daily checks ensure you spot any issues early to help prevent bigger problems down the line.

Safe and unsafe items for rabbits and guinea pigs in winter

When winter rolls in, it’s tempting to give your small pets a few extra treats or cosy extras—but not everything that looks comforting is safe for rabbits and guinea pigs. Here’s a quick guide to what’s good to give… and what’s best avoided.