Guinea Pigs and hutch with a ramp!

[LauMelissa]

Hey!

So my guinea pigs are in a large 2 storey hutch. However they will not use the ramp. And I feel this is due to it being a little steep for them.

I am going to take a look today and see what I can do. As want them to enjoy all the room they have!

Has anyone else had this issue and if so what did you do to resolve it!

Any advice much appreciated!

Lau

 

[Claire W]

I have a ramp in my cage. I brought a ramp tunnel for it to make it less scary. Sadly, hardly anyone sells them anymore but you could make your own if you’re good with fleece?

I have also placed a brick underneath the ramp to make it less steep. Also, try scattering some of their veggies on the ramp to encourage them

 

[Veggies Galore]

I have a ramp in my cage. I brought a ramp tunnel for it to make it less scary. Sadly, hardly anyone sells them anymore but you could make your own if you’re good with fleece?

I have also placed a brick underneath the ramp to make it less steep. Also, try scattering some of their veggies on the ramp to encourage them

C and E cosies have started selling ramp tunnels again

Ramp Tunnels

 

[LauMelissa]

Perfect! Thank you lots. I will try both of these.
I am quite crafty so should be able to do it. And will put a brick under to make it less steep.
They only have little legs so can see why it is scary for them!

 

[LauMelissa]

I will check this out too. Thank you.

 

[Betsy]

Does your ramp have sides to it? If not this will make it very scary for them. Before my lot fell out and I could have a ramp in my hutch, I covered it with carpet so they could get a better grip. I then left the ramp in the run/on the bottom floor of the hutch for them to run up and down it and scent mark it. Piggies follow scent spores. They used it much more with the carpet on it. You could try that and adding sides to the ramp if there are none. The sides only need to be a couple of inches deep on both sides.

 

[LauMelissa]

It doesn’t have side no, I will put some sides on too. Makes sense as I know I would feel rather scared walking down a flight of stair with no hand rail!
I want them to be as happy as possible! Was thinking of putting carpet on the ramp too.

Thank you for your advice. I really appreciate it.

 

[VickiA]

@Tim helped @Mother Hubbard sort out a steep ramp in one of her hutches by splitting it into 2 and putting a bit of a return between the 2 parts. I’ll see if I can find the thread.

 

[VickiA]

Here is the thread I mentioned Tim'll Fix It

 

[Tim]

Here is the thread I mentioned Tim'll Fix It

I remember that day, a few laughs were had

 

[Mother Hubbard]

We certainly did

 

[4wheeks_and.counting]

Hey!

So my guinea pigs are in a large 2 storey hutch. However they will not use the ramp. And I feel this is due to it being a little steep for them.

I am going to take a look today and see what I can do. As want them to enjoy all the room they have!

Has anyone else had this issue and if so what did you do to resolve it!

Any advice much appreciated!

Lau

Hey

I have the same type of cage and was wondering how long they had been in it? My guinea pigs didnt use the ramp for a few Months but after that they were happy using it.
Unfortunately one of them fell off the ladder while climbing it and now I’ve got one guinea pig who uses it and one who doesn’t. I tried getting him used to it again but he is just so scared of it I left him. I put him upstairs once to see if he would go down but he refused. Just a lot of squeaking and a scared piggie. The other came up to see if he was alright and went down a couple of times but he still hated it. I closed off the top bit of the cage and that’s when I got my next 2 rescues.

If you are making your own I would suggest putting ridges on it so that they could climb up the ladder and not slip off. You could also use a non slip material so they don’t slide down or look into putting something at the side so they don’t fall off.

Good luck x

 

[4 Wheeks]

We certainly didView attachment 118410View attachment 118411View attachment 118412

Looking great!

Glad you were able to include the sides to stop them falling and looks like a good guinea height and they should be alright on it. Was thinking about doing it to my cage as one of the pigs won’t use it.

What is on the inside of the ramp? Might use it on mine so they don’t slip.

Good job!

 

[Betsy]

Try a strip of carpet and then let them run over it before putting it in position so that it is scent marked.

 

[4 Wheeks]

Try a strip of carpet and then let them run over it before putting it in position so that it is scent marked.

Thanks!
Got rid of my extra carpet so I’ll get some to try!

 

[Betsy]

Before my lot fell out and I had to split my one big herd into two small herds, mine would hardly use the ramp until I put carpet on it. Then they would run up and down the ramp happily.

 

[BossHogg]

I use flat bottom guttering for my ramp, the piggies can traverse it with ease.