Indoor Run

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helenv87

helenv87

Junior Guinea Pig
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does anyone know of any easy to use indoor runs that are easy to put and take down?
At the moment I have a metal cage type run that is 4 sections that you put together with a metal pole through loops joined together, it's nice and big but seems such a faff to put up and down every time I want to use it, moving the rug and putting down blankets to protect the floor before I start assembling the frame :(
My Guinea pigs live outdoors in a hutch and I try and bring them inside for floor time daily.
I don't have space indoors to keep it up all the time and I need to be able to put it away in my cupboard when not in use.
 
My other questions with my indoor run is
I'm worried that bringing them in and out over the winter is going to make them unhappy
I can't bring them in all the time and I don't have the space outside to give them an outside run
 
image.webp Zooplus sell the canvas ones. I used to have the small one for hamsters, but now my OH created this one for me. I use newspaper on the base with toys, but this pic was before I had the cage. It is a cement mixing base and wire from Wicks.
 
You can buy a small roll of mesh/chicken wire from a hardware store to make a circular run. It can be rolled up pretty tightly if you need to store it in a small place and it can be cut to size easily enough. Normally I just lay down cheap felt blankets on the floor in case there are little accidents. I pick up those up in Primark for €3.00 each
 
Celine298 said:
You can buy a small roll of mesh/chicken wire from a hardware store to make a circular run. It can be rolled up pretty tightly if you need to store it in a small place and it can be cut to size easily enough. Normally I just lay down cheap felt blankets on the floor in case there are little accidents. I pick up those up in Primark for €3.00 each
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Do you let them have free run of the space? I tried just blocking off the areas I don't want them but they just sat pooing in one corner lol
The wire sounds good but I think it will be the same as what I have now
 
Flamestriker said:
View attachment 51246 Zooplus sell the canvas ones. I used to have the small one for hamsters, but now my OH created this one for me. I use newspaper on the base with toys, but this pic was before I had the cage. It is a cement mixing base and wire from Wicks.
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Your run looks good
I have seen the pop up ones you can get on zoo plus but I think they'll be blocked in too much and I won't be able to see them running around
 
Helen, that is why I was reluctant to get another one. But the advantage is that a top can be zipped on, enclosing the piggies securely.

There are other pens available, but the issue I had was that I could not find the one I really liked. And like you it could not stay up constantly.

Paddling pools are a good idea. Pick one with vertical sides, or put up some barrier at the top.
 
Do you think a kiddies ball pool would be strong enough? It's similar to the pop up play pens but us more open so you can see the Guinea pigs more
 
I bought one from Tesco for not much money, and donated it to a play scheme due to it being far too small.

Check the size and make sure that there are no gaps in the fabric. Your piggies might nuzzle it otherwise.
 
I'll have to keep looking
I really don't want to have to stop bringing them inside for a run around :no:
Especially as they spend all their time in the hutch outside
 
You can get pens from P@H which look like metal grids/fences, but am I right by saying that you are looking for some different design?
 
Flamestriker said:
You can get pens from P@H which look like metal grids/fences, but am I right by saying that you are looking for some different design?
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I already have a 90x90 metal grid one from P@H but I find it a hassle putting it together each time I want to use it - I have to roll up the rug, place blankets/towels down and then join the 4 bits together with popes that slide through the connecting loops, it not a quick job it's really fiddly
 
Yes, I see what you mean Helenv87.

The canvas runs are great for popping up and taking down, but you are concerned about visibility.

The pen I use is actually kept outside. It cannot rust, and all I do is wipe it down well before it is used. I will use pet safe disinfectant on it as well.
 
I think I'm doing ok sorting out the hutch outside I just need to do some more adaptions and waterproofing
The main thing I am having problems with is where to let them run around

We have a tiny bit of grass but it's at the front of the house where people walk past on a public footpath so I don't want to leave them there on their own, also it's not in direct view from inside the house, by bringing them inside I feel they can run around for hours and I don't have to go far to look at them and make sure they are ok
 
What about piggy proof a spare room if you can? You could go in with them and you wouldn't need a pen.

A room isn't something that I have...my bungalow is tiny, and we are still doing it up.

Couldn't you make your own pen?
 
Flamestriker said:
What about piggy proof a spare room if you can? You could go in with them and you wouldn't need a pen.

A room isn't something that I have...my bungalow is tiny, and we are still doing it up.

Couldn't you make your own pen?
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We have a spare room but my boyfriend will never let me turn the room into their play pen as it's got our spare bed in it and all of his computer stuff in it, the space that's left is very small and if I put the pen there he wouldn't be able to get to the computer as he wouldn't be able to use the computer chair.
We tried letting them have free run of the living room with sections blocked off where I wouldn't want them to go (such as down the back of the tv) but after a few days we had to stop that as it was weird walking around making sure we didn't step on them or in their poo, ask I don't think they liked the laminate floor and it sounded like they couldn't grip and I didn't want to pooing or seeing on my expensive rug
 
That is fair enough.

What about C&C grid sections? Can they simply fold flat and stowed under a bed like cardboard boxes do when the bottom is unfolded?

Just a thought
 
helenv87 said:
Do you let them have free run of the space? I tried just blocking off the areas I don't want them but they just sat pooing in one corner lol
The wire sounds good but I think it will be the same as what I have now
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When he has floor time yes. Quite early on he discovered that our wooden floors are slippy under his paws so he doesn't venture across them, so I don't actually have to 'fence' him in. Usually I just lay down a felt blanket, set up a collection of cardboard boxes for him to run through and he's happy out. I can post a picture of the set up tomorrow if you'd like some inspiration?
 
Celine298 said:
When he has floor time yes. Quite early on he discovered that our wooden floors are slippy under his paws so he doesn't venture across them, so I don't actually have to 'fence' him in. Usually I just lay down a felt blanket, set up a collection of cardboard boxes for him to run through and he's happy out. I can post a picture of the set up tomorrow if you'd like some inspiration?
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I was hoping mine might do the same and just "play" on a fleecy blanket but I'm not sure if they will, when we first tried letting them run around the living room they avoided my fancy rug (phew) and ran round the edges of it slipping everywhere on the laminate floor and eventually hiding in the corner for a few hours, the second time I tried without the rug and they did the same thing sat in the same corner doing nothing no matter how many bits of food and hay I put down they wouldn't move

Maybe I just need to keep trying
 
helenv87 said:
I was hoping mine might do the same and just "play" on a fleecy blanket but I'm not sure if they will, when we first tried letting them run around the living room they avoided my fancy rug (phew) and ran round the edges of it slipping everywhere on the laminate floor and eventually hiding in the corner for a few hours, the second time I tried without the rug and they did the same thing sat in the same corner doing nothing no matter how many bits of food and hay I put down they wouldn't move

Maybe I just need to keep trying
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You would be surprised how many bits and bobs you have lying around the house that you can hobble together to make an indoor run. I use all sorts! I find that my guy loves having boxes to run in between. I just pick up small ones from shops and cut multiple holes in the sides so he has more than one exit. I place them close enough together that he doesn't have to scoot too far out in the open to reach the next one. I also hide little bits of food in the corners of the boxes to encourage him to explore more. Your piggies might feel vulnerable and exposed if you take them from an enclosed hutch to a completely open run, that's probably why they just sit in the corner.
 
Celine298 said:
You would be surprised how many bits and bobs you have lying around the house that you can hobble together to make an indoor run. I use all sorts! I find that my guy loves having boxes to run in between. I just pick up small ones from shops and cut multiple holes in the sides so he has more than one exit. I place them close enough together that he doesn't have to scoot too far out in the open to reach the next one. I also hide little bits of food in the corners of the boxes to encourage him to explore more. Your piggies might feel vulnerable and exposed if you take them from an enclosed hutch to a completely open run, that's probably why they just sit in the corner.
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Yeah I did think that might be the case which is why I then got the metal cage type set up.

I currently feel torn between not doing enough for my Guinea pigs and annoying my boyfriend who reluctantly got them for me as a birthday present Sometimes when they are out he asks how much longer they will be out for, and sometimes when I go to bring them in he grumbles that they were out all day the day before - I think it's because the cage is a lot bigger than I thought and takes up most of the living room floor so he feels there's no space for him to walk around etc (also it doesn't help they squeaked so loudly he other day in excitement over a primark bag he had trouble hearing the football and had to turn it up haha) I think he thought they would be in the hutch all the time unless I took them out to play with on my lap every now and again :soz:
 
I do not mean any offence when I say this but, your boyfriend does not sound like an animal person!

My guinea pig is my baby, and my fiancee often says I spoil him too much. My response is always 'it would be worse if I was neglecting him!'
Your boyfriend can look after himself, don't worry about him ;) If you love your piggies (which it sounds like you do) you continue doing whatever you have to to enrich their little lives! You sound like you're doing the very best you can!

In my mind, they're delicate, innocent little creatures that deserve to be loved so you keep doing what you're doing :)
 
Celine298 said:
I do not mean any offence when I say this but, your boyfriend does not sound like an animal person!

My guinea pig is my baby, and my fiancee often says I spoil him too much. My response is always 'it would be worse if I was neglecting him!'
Your boyfriend can look after himself, don't worry about him ;) If you love your piggies (which it sounds like you do) you continue doing whatever you have to to enrich their little lives! You sound like you're doing the very best you can!

In my mind, they're delicate, innocent little creatures that deserve to be loved so you keep doing what you're doing :)
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The annoying thing is he is a animal person and has actually had rabbits with a previous girlfriend
I think he would prefer a cat or a dog to Guinea pigs as they are more likely to run towards you when you get in from work but the Guinea pigs tend to just run away into a hidey :coat:
When I say he reluctantly got them he actually went and got them himself with all the hutch etc I didn't pick any of it, I said a few times that is liked Guinea pigs, he heard of some needing to be rescued through a friend of a friend and got them from her without me knowing :nod: they were presented to me a week before my birthday as an early birthday present :yahoo: I didn't expect it at all so I don't think he is really against them I just think he hadn't thought they'd be mentioned as often as they are and out of the hutch so much.
I've caught him handling them and talking to them when I've left the room and gone back in again and he often comes home with veg that he picked up because he thought they might like it.
He even went out and bought new hinges and completely adapted my hutch without me asking as he thought it would be easier for me to get them in and out of and clean.

So although he sounds a Scrooge by moaning they are inside again he strangely isn't I think the issue at the moment is how much space the cage takes up and having to keep rolling up the rug etc, if I found an easier alternative he probably wouldn't mind them being indoors for a little bit each day.
 
helenv87 said:
The annoying thing is he is a animal person and has actually had rabbits with a previous girlfriend
I think he would prefer a cat or a dog to Guinea pigs as they are more likely to run towards you when you get in from work but the Guinea pigs tend to just run away into a hidey :coat:
When I say he reluctantly got them he actually went and got them himself with all the hutch etc I didn't pick any of it, I said a few times that is liked Guinea pigs, he heard of some needing to be rescued through a friend of a friend and got them from her without me knowing :nod: they were presented to me a week before my birthday as an early birthday present :yahoo: I didn't expect it at all so I don't think he is really against them I just think he hadn't thought they'd be mentioned as often as they are and out of the hutch so much.
I've caught him handling them and talking to them when I've left the room and gone back in again and he often comes home with veg that he picked up because he thought they might like it.
He even went out and bought new hinges and completely adapted my hutch without me asking as he thought it would be easier for me to get them in and out of and clean.

So although he sounds a Scrooge by moaning they are inside again he strangely isn't I think the issue at the moment is how much space the cage takes up and having to keep rolling up the rug etc, if I found an easier alternative he probably wouldn't mind them being indoors for a little bit each day.
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Ahhhh I see :) I understand! When my fiancee and I moved in together we said we would get a pet, I think he was expecting a dog but as I know I would be the one doing poop and food duties most often, I opted for a smaller animal, IE: piggie :D
Although he doesn't mind our guy, he doesn't do anything with him in the line of caring/cleaning/feeding so I guess our men are just big animal people!

He might just need time to adjust to the new lifestyle that comes with them, they can be a lot more active than rabbits so they need that run space.
 
Celine298 said:
Ahhhh I see :) I understand! When my fiancee and I moved in together we said we would get a pet, I think he was expecting a dog but as I know I would be the one doing poop and food duties most often, I opted for a smaller animal, IE: piggie :D
Although he doesn't mind our guy, he doesn't do anything with him in the line of caring/cleaning/feeding so I guess our men are just big animal people!

He might just need time to adjust to the new lifestyle that comes with them, they can be a lot more active than rabbits so they need that run space.
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The other day when they were in the run my boyfriend started shouting and making weird noises, I ran in thinking something was wrong to find out one of the Guinea pigs had done a wee infront of him :eek: I have never heard someone overreact so much lol
The wee was on the towel I had placed down on the floor to soak up anything they might do to make it easier to clean away when they go back in the hutch.

He has said he doesn't want to clean them etc but does every now and again out food in if I ask nicely, and sometimes tops up their water bottle if he notices it's getting low before I do.
 
helenv87 said:
The other day when they were in the run my boyfriend started shouting and making weird noises, I ran in thinking something was wrong to find out one of the Guinea pigs had done a wee infront of him :eek: I have never heard someone overreact so much lol
The wee was on the towel I had placed down on the floor to soak up anything they might do to make it easier to clean away when they go back in the hutch.

He has said he doesn't want to clean them etc but does every now and again out food in if I ask nicely, and sometimes tops up their water bottle if he notices it's getting low before I do.
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ahaha that's funny! :D
god help him if he had to change a baby's nappy so!

I'm sure he'll get used to them in time. If he continues to rant about them just ignore him and eventually he'll accept they ain't going anywhere ;)
 
Maybe your boyfriend can start hand feeding your piggies? He might start to build a little bond with them when they come running to him to grab a bit of carrot or something! My piggies have the run of the living room when they're on floor time. I used to set up a mesh run every time, but like you, it became a real faff to keep putting up and taking down. I have laminate floor, and I just throw down a couple of big fleeces, and put a puppy training pad down in a corner. In the early days they didn't like the laminate as it's obviously slippery, and they were nervous too, so they used to sit in a corner a lot of the time. If they did come out from the corner they would pee and poo on the floor as well. But as time went on and they got braver, they started venturing out into the middle of the floor. I put a tunnel down and a hidey, and put food in various areas and they seem comfortable now to come out and explore. And now they usually only pee and poo on the puppy pad :yahoo: Floor time has just become the "norm" and whereas at first it seemed a palaver, now it takes 5 mins to prepare and 5 mins to clear up.
 
Wheek! Wheek! said:
Maybe your boyfriend can start hand feeding your piggies? He might start to build a little bond with them when they come running to him to grab a bit of carrot or something! My piggies have the run of the living room when they're on floor time. I used to set up a mesh run every time, but like you, it became a real faff to keep putting up and taking down. I have laminate floor, and I just throw down a couple of big fleeces, and put a puppy training pad down in a corner. In the early days they didn't like the laminate as it's obviously slippery, and they were nervous too, so they used to sit in a corner a lot of the time. If they did come out from the corner they would pee and poo on the floor as well. But as time went on and they got braver, they started venturing out into the middle of the floor. I put a tunnel down and a hidey, and put food in various areas and they seem comfortable now to come out and explore. And now they usually only pee and poo on the puppy pad :yahoo: Floor time has just become the "norm" and whereas at first it seemed a palaver, now it takes 5 mins to prepare and 5 mins to clear up.
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I don't think he'd want to hand feed them or anything like that, he's happy to just look at them in the pen.
I mentioned letting them have free run of the living room again and he said no, he doesn't like them running around everywhere.
I'll just have to keep looking for an indoor pen solution, but finding something suitable for Guinea pigs that won't annoy him is going to be difficult :td:
 
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