hi, i am new to keeping guinea pigs and last week i got 2 baby male guinea pigs that appear to be settling in fine to their new home ! however, one uses the solid wooden ladder down to the run just fine but the other one will not. is it just a case of him getting used to it still (he goes back up it ok but never down) or is there something i can do to encourage him down ? i would be very grateful for any advice anyone has on this. best wishes samantha
guinea pig wont use ladder
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Are you able to create a barrier along the edge of the ramp so that there isn't a drop? Maybe he doesn't feel secure?
I remember another thread where someones pigs wouldn't use a ramp - They bought a tunnel made from material which was velcro'd to the ramp and after this, the piggies were fine! With it being material, it can be washed in the washing machine... I'll see if I can find the thread, I'll post again if I do
Welcome to the forum!
I remember another thread where someones pigs wouldn't use a ramp - They bought a tunnel made from material which was velcro'd to the ramp and after this, the piggies were fine! With it being material, it can be washed in the washing machine... I'll see if I can find the thread, I'll post again if I do
Welcome to the forum!
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Oh no, it wasn't on a thread - It was on the site of the person who made the tunnel... Here you go http://www.cosycavies.co.uk/2009/05/the-guinea-pigs-who-refused-to-use-their-ramp-a-problem-solved/
http://www.cosycavies.co.uk/2009/05/the-guinea-pigs-who-refused-to-use-their-ramp-a-problem-solved/thats great, thankyou for your help, fingers crossed i can source something suitable and get him going down !
Cavy2009
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I have got a piggy who doesn't like her ladder. I call her 'Health and Safety pig' because when her hutch mate had babies she use to stop the babies from going up the ladder in case they fell.
But piggies need time to get use to them. Some one once suggested using carpet for better grip.
But piggies need time to get use to them. Some one once suggested using carpet for better grip.
Little Piggles
Senior Guinea Pig
How far apart are the 'steps' on the ramp? We felt that the steps on out ramp were too far apart and added extra ones for our girls so they could grip better when going up and down. Carpet and vet-bed had also been used successfully I believe.
Maybe try tempting your boy with tasty treats placed all the way down the ramp. Fresh herbs (corriander, parsley and dill) encouraged our girls to use theirs
Good luck (and welcome too )
Maybe try tempting your boy with tasty treats placed all the way down the ramp. Fresh herbs (corriander, parsley and dill) encouraged our girls to use theirs
Good luck (and welcome too
)
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bob2sea
Junior Guinea Pig
Carpet!
We had the same problem, our Guinea Pigs never used their ramp, they would put a couple of feet on it, but wouldn't go up it.
Then I read somewhere that if you put carpet in the ramp, they'll use it, so we did, and it worked a treat! Now they fly up and down it, I think it just gives them that bit of security they need.
We had the same problem, our Guinea Pigs never used their ramp, they would put a couple of feet on it, but wouldn't go up it.
Then I read somewhere that if you put carpet in the ramp, they'll use it, so we did, and it worked a treat! Now they fly up and down it, I think it just gives them that bit of security they need.
caviaporcellus
Adult Guinea Pig
I used carpet at first on the big ramps in my piggies three-tier cage and found that I could remove it after they had become used to them. On the small ramps I put sand paper on the advice of a friend so it would wear the claws down. I don't know if it works or not (the claw thing) but they do use the ramps without slipping.
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