--- title: Rabbits and Guinea Pigs in Central Valley Heat | Happy Paws url: https://happypawskennels.com/guides/small-pets/rabbits-and-guinea-pigs-in-hot-weather/ business: Happy Paws Kennels address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 phone: 707-678-6600 hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971 rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night) --- - [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/) - [Guides](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/) - Rabbits and guinea pigs in Central Valley heat # Rabbits and guinea pigs in Central Valley heat Rabbits are very heat sensitive, and guinea pigs do best between 65 and 79 degrees, so both need a cool spot out of direct sun and a cooled car on the way. Happy Paws Kennels buildings are air-conditioned in summer, and you can bring your pet's own cage. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) 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](https://happypawskennels.com/small-animal-boarding/rabbits/) and [guinea pig boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/small-animal-boarding/guinea-pigs/) pages, in the [rabbit travel guide](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/small-pets/rabbit-care-while-you-travel/) and in the [guinea pig travel guide](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/small-pets/guinea-pig-care-while-you-travel/). ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine: Rabbit Care](https://healthtopics.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/exotics/rabbit-care) - [UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine: Guinea Pig Care](https://healthtopics.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/exotics/guinea-pig-care) - [AVMA Disaster Preparedness Series: Saving the Whole Family](https://ebusiness.avma.org/files/productdownloads/STWF_English.pdf) - [NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/normals-monthly/1991-2020/access/) ### 2026 nightly rates - First Class kennel $72 - Business Class kennel $59 - Economy Class kennel $52 - Cat condo $35 All-inclusive: food, medications and walks. 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026. [All 2026 rates](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/) ### Visit or call 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) | Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM | | --- | --- | | Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM | [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin) ### Related - [Rabbits](https://happypawskennels.com/small-animal-boarding/rabbits/) - [Guinea pigs](https://happypawskennels.com/small-animal-boarding/guinea-pigs/) - [Rabbit care while you travel](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/small-pets/rabbit-care-while-you-travel/) - [Guinea pigs while you travel](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/small-pets/guinea-pig-care-while-you-travel/) - [What to pack for a small pet's stay](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/small-pets/what-to-pack-for-small-pet-boarding/) ## Heat and cold near the kennel **NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Vacaville station (about 8 miles from the kennel)** | Month | Avg high | Avg low | Days 90°F+ | Days 100°F+ | Nights 32°F or below | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Jan | 57.6°F | 39.6°F | 0 | 0 | 5.1 | | Feb | 63°F | 42.2°F | 0 | 0 | 1.8 | | Mar | 68.5°F | 44.8°F | 0 | 0 | 0.7 | | Apr | 74.9°F | 48°F | 1.3 | 0 | 0.1 | | May | 82.8°F | 52.9°F | 8.2 | 1 | 0 | | Jun | 90.7°F | 57.7°F | 15.9 | 4.3 | 0 | | Jul | 97.3°F | 60.2°F | 27.1 | 10.1 | 0 | | Aug | 96.5°F | 59.5°F | 25.3 | 9.3 | 0 | | Sep | 91.9°F | 57.5°F | 19.1 | 3.3 | 0 | | Oct | 81.2°F | 51.8°F | 4.6 | 0.4 | 0 | | Nov | 67°F | 44.5°F | 0 | 0 | 1 | | Dec | 57.9°F | 39.5°F | 0 | 0 | 5.5 | A normal year: about 101.5 days at 90°F or hotter, 28.4 at 100°F or hotter, 14.2 freezing nights. Source: [NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/normals-monthly/1991-2020/access/). ## Read next - [Guinea pig food and vitamin C while you are away](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/small-pets/guinea-pig-food-and-vitamin-c-while-away/) - [Getting a pet bird to boarding safely](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/small-pets/bird-carrier-and-travel-tips/) - [How much does dog boarding cost near Sacramento?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-much-does-dog-boarding-cost/) - [Dog boarding cost per night](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-boarding-cost-per-night/) - [How to prepare your dog for boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-to-prepare-your-dog-for-boarding/) - [Your dog's first boarding stay](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/first-time-boarding/) - [Dog boarding checklist](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-boarding-checklist/) - [Why is my dog so tired after boarding?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/why-is-my-dog-tired-after-boarding/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/). ### What temperature is too hot for a guinea pig? UC Davis recommends 65 to 79 degrees and warns that guinea pigs are susceptible to heat stroke in high heat and humidity. ### Can I drop off a rabbit in the afternoon heat? The drop-off windows are 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM. The morning window is usually cooler in summer. ### Should I bring my own cage? Yes. The kennel may ask you to provide the cage. ### How much does rabbit or guinea pig boarding cost? Please ask at 707-678-6600. Small pet boarding has no price on the 2026 rate sheet.