Cage adjustments

[SarahO]

I had to remove the loft from Cookie’s cage today it appears he doesn’t want to go up the ramp anymore. Has anyone else’s piggies done this before? I was wondering if it’s an age thing…he is healthy and has a good appetite. Cookie is 5 this year.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Older piggies can certainly struggle with ramps and have less enthusiasm for going to an upper level, and of course piggies of any age aren’t natural climbers anyway. Do you notice any stiffness, discomfort with him moving?

Mine got bored of their ramp within a week of making them a loft, so it was removed and they haven’t had an upper level since.

 

[SarahO]

Hi. No stiffness. He was just at the bottom of the ramp facing up the ramp looking like he was thinking about going up there then decided against it

 

[Wiebke]

I had to remove the loft from Cookie’s cage today it appears he doesn’t want to go up the ramp anymore. Has anyone else’s piggies done this before? I was wondering if it’s an age thing…he is healthy and has a good appetite. Cookie is 5 this year.

Hi

Please have him vet checked for arthritis or another issue that could be at the bottom of the change in behaviour.

Here is lots of practical advice for looking after older piggies and piggies with limited mobility:
Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility
Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection

 

[Sasco]

I would definitely book Cookie in to see a vet to check there isn't an underlying issue going on. Nellie stopped using the ramps in her cage a year or so ago and the vet found that she had some arthritic degeneration in her hips and spine. Her mobility has been vastly improved with regular pain medication but she has stuck to the ground floor since then - I am very grateful to her for being so sensible, as had she carried on trying to mountaineer I would have had to stop all of them having ramp access to protect her from injury.

 

[SarahO]

Hi thank you for your tips. I have booked cookie in to see the vet, for Saturday next week. Hopefully all will be well I will keep you posted

 

[SarahO]

I would definitely book Cookie in to see a vet to check there isn't an underlying issue going on. Nellie stopped using the ramps in her cage a year or so ago and the vet found that she had some arthritic degeneration in her hips and spine. Her mobility has been vastly improved with regular pain medication but she has stuck to the ground floor since then - I am very grateful to her for being so sensible, as had she carried on trying to mountaineer I would have had to stop all of them having ramp access to protect her from injury.

Hi! I took cookie to the vet this morning and he was found to be very healthy. Nothing with his legs amongst other things. So all good. Maybe he has just decided not to use it anymore.

 

[Claire W]

I used to have a double story cage and the guinea pigs used to stop using the ramp as they got older. I now have a single story cage I’m glad that Cookie has been found to be healthy