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REMEMBER IF IT'S TOO HOT FOR YOU IT IS TOO HOT FOR YOUR PIGGIES - ACT NOW TO PREVENT ILLNESS AND HEATSTROKE. BE HEAT AWARE.

The type of summer care you need to give your Guinea's depends very much on your individual set up. For indoor only piggies it's simply a matter of being sensible, keeping them out of direct sunlight and ensuring adequate ventilation and water. For those guinea pigs kept outside they will need you to remain vigilant and take sensible precautions. Here are a few suggestions for piggie summer care.

Guinea pigs should have sunblock applied before they are allowed to play in the sun! Guinea pigs with pink ears may also benefit from having sunblock rubbed onto their ears. High factor sunblock used for humans is suitable to use, gently rub into the body (if you have a hairless Guinea Pig) and ears, and remember to avoid eyes when applying.

In addition to their regular diet, guinea pigs enjoy watery treats during the summer such as cucumber and a rare piece of seedless melon. As with all watery and surgary foods, give these sparingly and only as a treat.

Please remember to make sure FRESH WATER is always available.

IF YOUR GUINEA'S ARE HOUSED IN A SHED, GET THEM OUT ON THE LAWN WHEN THE TEMPERATURE REACHES 25C INSIDE.

Anything above that will be too hot for them, at 28C they can suffer heatstroke and may die. Use all possible ventilation.

• Site the hutch out of direct sunlight, early morning sun is fine but from late morning on the hutch needs to be in the shade, perhaps under a tree. If they are on the lawn in a run ensure that the sun is off them throughout the day, provide lots of shade and shelter and water too. A large cotton sheet over the whole run is ideal as that deals with the sun moving around. Make provision for a summer downpour too. Ensure your run is predator proof too, cats aren't too much of a problem but urban and rural foxes can be.

• Watch the weather forecast every day so that you can plan ahead and can cope with any sudden changes. BBC Weather website gives a fairly good 5 day forecast - add it to your favourites. Be daytime temperature aware. Invest in a minimum/maximum thermometer and site it next to the hutch, this will clearly show you the highest temperature reached throughout the day and will give you more information about whether the hutch needs to be moved. Don't forget to act upon it.

• Find an old cotton sheet/towel and soak it in cold water and drape it over the front of the hutch, this will help keep the inside temperature cooler. Alternatively, cover the hutch with an emergency foil blanket available from outdoor pursuits shops or shops online. The foil reflects the heat away from the hutch and can be held in place with bungee lines or pegs. Make sure you have it the right way round though.

· In heat the water bottles will heat up and algae will begin to grow on the inside of the bottle (slimy green). Rinse and refill the water bottle every day, even if they have only drunk a small amount. Stale water is not acceptable to Guinea pigs, Cover the bottle with something to keep it in the shade too.( Bottle Hug by Scratch & Newton) In heat the spout is a breeding ground for millions of bacteria all feeding nicely off the warmth, damp and the bits of food pigs tend to send back up the spout.