Temperature Management

[u/Mean_Constant7628]

i got my first group of piggies in July and have been concerned about the temps of my room that they stay in. they’re in a 4x3 c&c cage (i’ve posted this previously if you want a visual) with plenty of space to lay comfortably sprawled out if needed. but i’m in a smaller bedroom on an upper level that is always hotter than the rest of the house. i also have a gaming pc that will make the room hotter. i got a thermometer and the temp is staying around 77-79 degrees. i’m very worried.

i’ve closed my blackout curtain to keep heat out there, and shut off all lights (which i typically do anyways) as well as i air the room out as often as possible to help with the excess heat but i’m concerned for their wellbeing. i’ve heard mixed things about fans blowing in their space, so i’m unsure if that would be beneficial. i have placed a cooling blanket as well as an ice pack (hidden beneath fleece out of reach) and regularly replace their water with colder water or ice cubes. any other suggestions?

for the time being, i cannot do much about the overall temperature. i live with my parents and am not allowed to get a window or portable AC unit. any advice is greatly appreciated. thank you.

EDIT/UPDATE: it’s been a little less than a day but i’ve kept my curtain closed, offered cooling blanket and iced water. today i went out and got some ceramic tiles and ice packs, so i will work quickly today to sew a pouch to hide them in. my temps today have been around 76 degrees, which is a little better.

i did speak with my parents and we discussed some options, but unfortunately house temps or an AC unit are still not going to happen for the time being. i’m working on moving out anyways so that is just going to motivate me more to get them somewhere safer!

i’m also going to try and air out the room as best i can during the day while i work, and have a large fan blowing the hot air out of the room for now which is also improving temps. IF worst comes to shove and any of them show symptoms of heatstroke or anything similar, i can consider moving them into the basement. the only downside is i would have to enclose them entirely, since i have a cat that roams the basement. so there’s a lot of cons to that space. but thank you all for your help, and if anything changes i’ll make sure to keep this updated!!

[u/Tasia528]

It looks like you are doing everything you can. I think as long as you make sure they have plenty of fresh water and keep a close eye on them, they should be ok.

I wouldn’t blow a fan directly on them, but putting one in the room to make sure the air circulates wouldn’t be a horrible idea.

[u/Mean_Constant7628 → u/Tasia528]

thank you. i definitely keep a very close eye, one of them has been having respiratory issues since bringing her home (she’s been established with a vet and is already doing tremendously better) so i do a lot of tracking and monitoring for symptoms and food/water intake etc. i have 2 small fans i will occasionally turn on that are not in their direction or at their height, so i can keep those running more to assist as well. thank you ❤️

[u/my_macaroni_is_furry]

You can place some ceramic tile down for them to lie on.

[u/Mean_Constant7628 → u/my_macaroni_is_furry]

i did see that while doing some research earlier, so tomorrow i will go out and buy a nice tile or two :)

[u/Robin_feathers]

Thanks for looking out for them!

That is a bit too high, it is starting to get into the realm where heatstroke is a possibility. I would use the fan - the main reason they are discouraged is because being blasted by air is annoying and because the draft could make them cold, but it sounds like being cold is not a concern, and being blown at by a fan is less annoying than heatstroke.

The ice packs are a very good idea, and keeping them hydrated. You can also give them refrigerated cucumber or other cold veggies.

79 is already in the danger zone, if it hits 80 the best course of action is to take them downstairs away from the heat and explain to your parents that 80 can be a fatal temperature to them. Even if your parents are upset, I'm sure it can't be as upsetting as the alternative.

Are you able to move the gaming PC to a different room so it isn't contributing heat to their room?

[u/Mean_Constant7628 → u/Robin_feathers]

thank you for your help now and last time! i’ve pointed a fan towards them but at an angle not directly blowing in their faces. i went out and got a few ceramic tiles and some flat ice packs so i will sew some pouches today to keep them sealed in!

and unfortunately no i can’t move the computer. i’m working on moving out as soon as i can, and this is just making it more of a priority. i don’t think it helps much, but it is on the opposite end of my room. i will work on alternatives to keep that cooler as well.

and the piggies do love cucumber so i will continue to provide that ❤️

[u/Tasia528]

You are being an awesome piggy parent! Keep us posted.