Dixon summers are long and hot. For a rabbit or a guinea pig, the trip to a boarding kennel is part of the heat risk, not only the stay.
How hot is too hot
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine says rabbits are very heat sensitive and that hutches must give shelter from sun and heat. For guinea pigs it recommends an environmental temperature of 65 to 79 degrees, says they tolerate cool better than heat, and warns that they are susceptible to heat stroke if exposed to high temperatures and humidity. It advises placing the cage in a quiet area out of direct sunlight.
Against that, the nearest NOAA station to Dixon, in Vacaville, averages a July high of about 97 degrees and about 27 days at 90 or above that month (1991 to 2020 normals). A garage, a porch or a parked car is far above the guinea pig range for much of the summer.
Before you leave home
- Cool the car with the air conditioning before you carry your pet out.
- Travel in the morning or evening when you can.
- Keep the cage or carrier covered with a light cloth, never wrapped tightly, so air can pass.
- Do not leave your pet in a parked car, even for a short stop.
- Bring fresh water and a spare bottle.
What to pack
Keep the diet and the housing familiar. UC Davis recommends timothy hay for guinea pigs at all times, and the AVMA's guidance for small mammals suggests bringing supplements and extra bedding. Pack the usual food in sealed bags with amounts written on a card, along with your name, phone number and the vet clinic you use.
Happy Paws may ask you to provide the cage for a small pet, so a clean, sturdy cage with a secure door is the right choice. Staying in a cage that smells like home helps a rabbit, which UC Davis describes as a prey animal that wants a hiding box.
At Happy Paws
The kennel's buildings are heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer, so the heat that stresses a rabbit or guinea pig outdoors is not the setting for a stay. Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats and birds are all welcome. The price is not on the rate sheet, so please call 707-678-6600 with your pet, your dates and any health notes.
More detail is on the rabbit boarding and guinea pig boarding pages, in the rabbit travel guide and in the guinea pig travel guide.