Cage Too Small

Status
Not open for further replies.
Little Ones

Little Ones

Forum Donator 2023/24
Joined
Sep 20, 2015
Messages
1,865
Reaction score
2,860
Points
955
Location
Barnsley, UK
My boars are a year and a half old now and two of them are in a small cage. I have been talking to my mum about a C&C cage when I had my previous piggy but she said I couldn't because there was no roof but you can get one fixed on. My boars are big now and the cage is just so so small! They have one wooden chew toy which takes up a quarter of their space and a shelter part covers just less than half of the cage. The only room they have is to walk out of the shelter, to the water bottle and back, it's just cruel. It was okay when they were little but they're almost fully grown in my eyes at this point. I told her when we got them that later on, they may have to be moved into a bigger cage. The C&C cage I want to build is a bit bigger than the one I have now, I would build a 3x2 cage with a 1x2 loft. It would be only just enough room, with the shadow from the loft, we wouldn't need a shelter and I would buy separate beds etc. I was planning on getting it for Christmas or with my savings. Whenever I try and talk to my mum about it she shuts me down and won't even listen, it's like she can't see how little the cage is. She bought me them when my guinea pig passed as a surprise, she knows that she would have to take responsibility for them, I can tell they're unhappy in their cage and their happiness is my priority, I just don't know what to say to her to make her listen or change her mind. What should I say?
Edit: just realised I posted it in the wrong section, sorry!
 
Last edited:
My boars are a year and a half old now and two of them are in a small cage. I have been talking to my mum about a C&C cage when I had my previous piggy but she said I couldn't because there was no roof but you can get one fixed on. My boars are big now and the cage is just so so small! They have one wooden chew toy which takes up a quarter of their space and a shelter part covers just less than half of the cage. The only room they have is to walk out of the shelter, to the water bottle and back, it's just cruel. It was okay when they were little but they're almost fully grown in my eyes at this point. I told her when we got them that later on, they may have to be moved into a bigger cage. The C&C cage I want to build is a bit bigger than the one I have now, I would build a 3x2 cage with a 1x2 loft. It would be only just enough room, with the shadow from the loft, we wouldn't need a shelter and I would buy separate beds etc. I was planning on getting it for Christmas or with my savings. Whenever I try and talk to my mum about it she shuts me down and won't even listen, it's like she can't see how little the cage is. She bought me them when my guinea pig passed as a surprise, she knows that she would have to take responsibility for them, I can tell they're unhappy in their cage and their happiness is my priority, I just don't know what to say to her to make her listen or change her mind. What should I say?
 
3x2 is still too small. Take a look at this post here:

Cage Size Guide

For two adult boars 5x2 is a minimum (excluding the loft space which isn't counted).

Maybe your mum is not happy about the amount of space required. Why not set out a template where the boars are now, to show her how much space a new 5x2 setup would really take up in the context of the room and then do your homework on the total cost of the new C&C cage setup and set the whole thing out for her as a plan, so she can see how serious you are about this. At the minimum show her the link above to make her realise the current setup is not fair to your piggies.
 
Gimz said:
3x2 is still too small. Take a look at this post here:

Cage Size Guide

For two adult boars 5x2 is a minimum (excluding the loft space which isn't counted).

Maybe your mum is not happy about the amount of space required. Why not set out a template where the boars are now, to show her how much space a new 5x2 setup would really take up in the context of the room and then do your homework on the total cost of the new C&C cage setup and set the whole thing out for her as a plan, so she can see how serious you are about this. At the minimum show her the link above to make her realise the current setup is not fair to your piggies.
Click to expand...

I'll try and make it as big as I can if I can go through with it, the space is in my room anyway, we recently just moved my room round and there is a lot more space, so I don't know why it would be that big of an issue to her I was thinking about arranging a template but she won't listen long enough for me to get round to it. Ive also worked out how much things would cost on different sizes along with new beds, toys and fleeces etc. I will be sure to show her that page if she'll listen, I hope she does, I started considering rehomeing my guinea pigs to someone who will provide everything they need because I feel that awful about it. They stay in one place all day because there just isn't room, I'd be so upset if it came to that as they're my family, but I want them to have the best quality of life. Thank you for replying, you helped me a lot ☺️
 
What about if you get a bigger shop bought cage? That way it would still have a lid and I bet your mum wouldn't even notice the size difference. You can get good deals for 120cm cages on eBay or Zooplus do them for £30 upwards. If you used your savings, I don't see any reason why she would object really.
Just present it to her really logically, say that if you're going to have guinea pigs, you need to keep them happy, and they will be happy with more space. Say you've found a cage and it won't take up that much more room than the old one and you're prepared to pay for it yourself.
Good luck xx
 
helen105281 said:
Are you able to get them out for floortime?
Click to expand...

Yes, one walks around the room for around 20 minutes a day before he goes back in his cage for a nap, and the other just prefers to sit in my lap the whole time so he doesn't get any excersize:no:. I wish I could give them more floor time but I can't as I do revision for my GCSEs most nights or I stay behind late at school. Sometimes life gets in the way and that's really sad, all the more reason why I feel that a bigger cage is vital
 
Happy guinea pigs will probably keep healthier and therefore need fewer vet visits......that might help to persuade her more room for them is better in the long run;).
 
span said:
What about if you get a bigger shop bought cage? That way it would still have a lid and I bet your mum wouldn't even notice the size difference. You can get good deals for 120cm cages on eBay or Zooplus do them for £30 upwards. If you used your savings, I don't see any reason why she would object really.
Just present it to her really logically, say that if you're going to have guinea pigs, you need to keep them happy, and they will be happy with more space. Say you've found a cage and it won't take up that much more room than the old one and you're prepared to pay for it yourself.
Good luck xx
Click to expand...

She yelled at me and told me never to mention it again :no: my poor babies! Thank you though xox
 
Sorry to hear that you got yelled at. Hope you find a solution soon so you can all be happy.
 
Gimz said:
3x2 is still too small. Take a look at this post here:

Cage Size Guide

For two adult boars 5x2 is a minimum (excluding the loft space which isn't counted).

Maybe your mum is not happy about the amount of space required. Why not set out a template where the boars are now, to show her how much space a new 5x2 setup would really take up in the context of the room and then do your homework on the total cost of the new C&C cage setup and set the whole thing out for her as a plan, so she can see how serious you are about this. At the minimum show her the link above to make her realise the current setup is not fair to your piggies.
Click to expand...

I briefly mentioned to her about getting another cage and she shouted at me saying it was final, I can't help but feel sorry for my guinea pigs
 
I notice you have 2 similar threads running and I have asked for them to be merged.

Please don't get upset about this situation. You are aware their cage is too small .


Please try to give your guinea pigs as much flood time a possible
 
PiggyOwner said:
I notice you have 2 similar threads running and I have asked for them to be merged.

Please don't get upset about this situation. You are aware their cage is too small .


Please try to give your guinea pigs as much flood time a possible
Click to expand...
Yea haha, I posted one in the wrong section, oops!
She got mad when I asked for another cage so I didn't but I suggested decorating it, using fleece instead and buying toys and she wouldn't even do that, which is equally as disappointing. I'll try my best to give them as much as possible, it's only fair for them
 
The fact you are aware of the fact the cage is too small is the first step. I know you can't make your mum listen to you but you have done the right things by asking.

It is also worth remembering that (I'm assuming you are under 18) if you are a minor then your parents are ultimately and legally responsible for the welfare of any pets you have. The RSPCA have minimum standards they expect (120cm x 60cm) for a pair of guinea pigs although bigger is always better for boars in particular.

Just be patient and pick a good time to broach it again when you have time to chat and have your information like costs, information from this forum, the RSPCA etc to hand.

Good luck :)
 
MerryPip said:
The fact you are aware of the fact the cage is too small is the first step. I know you can't make your mum listen to you but you have done the right things by asking.

It is also worth remembering that (I'm assuming you are under 18) if you are a minor then your parents are ultimately and legally responsible for the welfare of any pets you have. The RSPCA have minimum standards they expect (120cm x 60cm) for a pair of guinea pigs although bigger is always better for boars in particular.

Just be patient and pick a good time to broach it again when you have time to chat and have your information like costs, information from this forum, the RSPCA etc to hand.

Good luck :)
Click to expand...
Yea I'm 15 haha, it sounds a good idea but knowing my mum she'd tell me to give them to the RSPCA. I mentioned to her how small the cage was and all she could say was that they have a good life and to just give them more floor time, I don't honestly believe they have a good life, I give them as much floor time as I can but it isn't a lot due to revision for my GCSEs. She even pulled the "they're only guinea pigs" card, I didn't really know how to react to that. I'm prepared to purchase the cage myself but she won't have it. She says I'm not allowed a bigger cage because there isn't enough space - there's enough for a 3x2 at least, possibly even a 4x2. She just keeps saying it's her house, even though the cage is in my room. I honestly don't think she'll change her mind, it breaks my heart but maybe rehomeing them is the kindest option. Thanks so much for your help, I'll be sure to take it into consideration
 
Are you in a flat or a house with a garden? If you have a garden could you maybe get an outside hutch setup in Spring when it is warmer again? Then it wouldn't affect the house at all?
Otherwise not much you can do for now.

If the shelter in their cage is quite big why don't you make them some smaller hidies out of cardboard boxes with hay in, so they can have more roaming space in their cage? You could tie them a cardboard panel across the cage to hide under but with no sides, which means they can run in and out and hide underneath.

At the end of the day what piggies like is something new in their cage, so get a few different things - you can make, you don't have to buy. For example make some corner forest hidies from an old rag cut to shape and tie across the cage corner for them to run in and out of. Make a tunnel from cardboard tubes stuck together, or put a pile of soft material scraps in and hide some food in it underneath so they can go rummaging for it. All sorts of other things can be made easily. The main thing is don't put them all in at once - alternate them around to stimulate them and you will have happy not bored piggies. You will find that they will explore something new and get excited about it, no matter what space they have to play in. Something new each week will stimulate them and go someway towards balancing against the issue of a smaller cage. And you can use some of these things for them when they are out in floor time too.

Hope that helps"!
 
Gimz said:
Are you in a flat or a house with a garden? If you have a garden could you maybe get an outside hutch setup in Spring when it is warmer again? Then it wouldn't affect the house at all?
Otherwise not much you can do for now.

If the shelter in their cage is quite big why don't you make them some smaller hidies out of cardboard boxes with hay in, so they can have more roaming space in their cage? You could tie them a cardboard panel across the cage to hide under but with no sides, which means they can run in and out and hide underneath.

At the end of the day what piggies like is something new in their cage, so get a few different things - you can make, you don't have to buy. For example make some corner forest hidies from an old rag cut to shape and tie across the cage corner for them to run in and out of. Make a tunnel from cardboard tubes stuck together, or put a pile of soft material scraps in and hide some food in it underneath so they can go rummaging for it. All sorts of other things can be made easily. The main thing is don't put them all in at once - alternate them around to stimulate them and you will have happy not bored piggies. You will find that they will explore something new and get excited about it, no matter what space they have to play in. Something new each week will stimulate them and go someway towards balancing against the issue of a smaller cage. And you can use some of these things for them when they are out in floor time too.

Hope that helps"!
Click to expand...
In a house with a garden, I'm not allowed a hutch but my mum said my grandad will make me a run for summer for them, she described it to me and it's only a small one, surprise surprise! Yea, they seem like good ideas, I'll take that on board, thank you!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top