Indoor Run

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Another option is to put them in your bathroom for floor time. We have cats so I can't let ours out anywhere in the house as the cats are everywhere (we only have 2 but they are VERY curious about the piggies). So for floor time I throw a big thick blanket down on the floor in the bathroom, ensure the windows are closed, add some hideys and tunnels, and voila! Close the door and they have a cat proof room with more floor space than their cage :)
 
GPcrazy said:
Another option is to put them in your bathroom for floor time. We have cats so I can't let ours out anywhere in the house as the cats are everywhere (we only have 2 but they are VERY curious about the piggies). So for floor time I throw a big thick blanket down on the floor in the bathroom, ensure the windows are closed, add some hideys and tunnels, and voila! Close the door and they have a cat proof room with more floor space than their cage :)
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Thanks for the idea but I can't do that either, my bathroom is tiny and I know my boyfriend will say no to that before I even ask him :no:
 
GPcrazy said:
Another option is to put them in your bathroom for floor time. We have cats so I can't let ours out anywhere in the house as the cats are everywhere (we only have 2 but they are VERY curious about the piggies). So for floor time I throw a big thick blanket down on the floor in the bathroom, ensure the windows are closed, add some hideys and tunnels, and voila! Close the door and they have a cat proof room with more floor space than their cage :)
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Brilliant idea!
 
helenv87 said:
Thanks for the idea but I can't do that either, my bathroom is tiny and I know my boyfriend will say no to that before I even ask him :no:
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Might be worth having a chat with your boyfriend to explain how important it is to you that your piggies have time out of their cage regularly, and see if you can compromise? How about agreeing on a free run of the floor twice a week? Does your boyfriend have any regular nights out (eg a Friday night out with his mates?). If so you could set up floor time for then, as you'd probably be more relaxed if your boyfriend is out? Hope you don't think I'm being too intrusive but do you both contribute to the house (ie both pay towards rent or mortgage, food and bills etc )? If so it would seem fair for you to let the piggies out indoors sometimes if you are paying towards the house upkeep and doing cleaning, cooking etc. I'm all for an equal partnership!
 
Wheek! Wheek! said:
Might be worth having a chat with your boyfriend to explain how important it is to you that your piggies have time out of their cage regularly, and see if you can compromise? How about agreeing on a free run of the floor twice a week? Does your boyfriend have any regular nights out (eg a Friday night out with his mates?). If so you could set up floor time for then, as you'd probably be more relaxed if your boyfriend is out? Hope you don't think I'm being too intrusive but do you both contribute to the house (ie both pay towards rent or mortgage, food and bills etc )? If so it would seem fair for you to let the piggies out indoors sometimes if you are paying towards the house upkeep and doing cleaning, cooking etc. I'm all for an equal partnership!
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He is happy for them to come inside for a run around regularly, at the moment it is daily with the odd day missed because I'm at work.
The problem isn't them coming inside, I'm just trying to find a different indoor run that would be easier for me to put up and down that won't involve me rearranging my living room everything and take up so much space.
He's happy to see them running around in the pen it's just so big and takes up lots of room meaning we both can't get around the living room very well as we have to shuffle round it down the small gaps between the pen and the furniture.
Although the I said he wouldn't let me Guinea pig proof the spare room or the bathroom that is also something I wouldn't want either, I like them being in the living room where I can see them I wouldn't want to shut them in the living room or bathroom for a few hours.

I think I've found a pop up play pen that I might try, then atleast I can pop it open ontop of the rug as it has a base attached thH should hopefully not let any wee through onto the rug
I think it might just be a case of trial and error until the solution is found :nod:
 
If you get grids and cable tie them you can make them any shape you want and they fold up.You can get interlocking storage units from eBay dirt cheap.You can't bring them in and out in the winter as the change in temperature can make them ill.Make sure you get the 36 cm square grids.They are plastic coated but mine don't mind.If you put a ground sheet then towels then fleece it protects your floor.
 
My run is a metal one and its from Zoo plus.. it is one all connected together and fold flat.. i love it.
 
madguinealady said:
If you get grids and cable tie them you can make them any shape you want and they fold up.You can get interlocking storage units from eBay dirt cheap.You can't bring them in and out in the winter as the change in temperature can make them ill.Make sure you get the 36 cm square grids.They are plastic coated but mine don't mind.If you put a ground sheet then towels then fleece it protects your floor.
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I'll look into the c&c grids and see if they are any easier to assemble and put away.

I'm worried now what to do during winter as if you can't bring them in and out in I'll have to leave them in their hutch all winter :(

Interlocking storage units what are they like? Are they similar to the c&c grids
 
I do because they have their own room but it does fold really easily.I did have a smaller version for the kitchen when I do a full room clean that just folds away neatly
 
helenv87 said:
Do you have a picture for it or the link for it on zooplus can I have a look :ple:
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Crap at links but this is it... has a doorway, and does fold flat, and is quite roomy for indoor floor time. Can also be used outside with a cover. 20160626_143857.webp
 
helenv87 said:
He is happy for them to come inside for a run around regularly, at the moment it is daily with the odd day missed because I'm at work.
The problem isn't them coming inside, I'm just trying to find a different indoor run that would be easier for me to put up and down that won't involve me rearranging my living room everything and take up so much space.
He's happy to see them running around in the pen it's just so big and takes up lots of room meaning we both can't get around the living room very well as we have to shuffle round it down the small gaps between the pen and the furniture.
Although the I said he wouldn't let me Guinea pig proof the spare room or the bathroom that is also something I wouldn't want either, I like them being in the living room where I can see them I wouldn't want to shut them in the living room or bathroom for a few hours.

I think I've found a pop up play pen that I might try, then atleast I can pop it open ontop of the rug as it has a base attached thH should hopefully not let any wee through onto the rug
I think it might just be a case of trial and error until the solution is found :nod:
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The pop up run sounds a good option! Fingers crossed it works well ☺
 
Thanks
I didn't realise I couldn't bring them
In and out during winter though, I don't know what I'm going to do when it gets colder as I can't bring them in all winter they have to stay outdoors in the hutch :(
 
It's always better to house them indoors in the winter if you can but now is probably a good time to buy some heat pads while you might be able to get them more cheaply. I recommend the snugglesafe microwave wireless heat pads (using the cover they come with is essential). Currently seem to be £14 on Amazon but if you shop around you can get them for nearly as low as £10.
 
And collect some unwanted duvets from friends and family that you can wrap round the outside of the hutch to insulate it.

Is it landlord rules or lack of space that mean you won't be able to bring them in? If it's space, then you might want to consider whether, if you can commit to giving them plenty of floor time as you obviously love doing anyway, a smaller cage (obviously still as big as you can manage to fit in and not smaller than the recommended minimum) plus lots of floor time might be a better solution in the winter rather than having them outside and not being able to bring them in.
 
I guess i am lucky in that we have a massive living room so the indoor run stays up all the time.. other half just has to move it slightly when he lies down to watch tv@night..
 
PiggySmitten said:
And collect some unwanted duvets from friends and family that you can wrap round the outside of the hutch to insulate it.

Is it landlord rules or lack of space that mean you won't be able to bring them in? If it's space, then you might want to consider whether, if you can commit to giving them plenty of floor time as you obviously love doing anyway, a smaller cage (obviously still as big as you can manage to fit in and not smaller than the recommended minimum) plus lots of floor time might be a better solution in the winter rather than having them outside and not being able to bring them in.
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Its sort of landlord rules but mainly space why we can't bring them in over the winter.
We don't have anywhere where we could could put an indoor cage, even one that is the minimum requirement
 
Hi Helen. Have you made any progress? I have collected my two 8 week old piggies today who will be living in an outdoor hutch. My main concern is giving them attention over winter as I do not have a shed or garage etc to give them. I also am not able to bring them into live as do not have an indoor space for a big cage
 
image.webp
Here is the indoor run I am currently using. It is the large one from Zooplus. It cost me £35 and a petshop several miles from me (not the green one) had the same pen for £65.

It looks messy because the girls have dragged bits of hay and hay cookies and the Natural's harvest festival herbs and grasses everywhere. I actually have two chubs, a hay rack, a Trixi frame thing with hay in it (they ate the corn) and a bendy log in it. I change one or two items inside at least once a week, but keep the rest as they have their scent on them. They did have a double cuddle sack, but they did wees in it yesterday and now it's drying after being washed.

The girls did Zoomies and some popcorns soon as they were put in the pen tonight. I was busy prepping their veggies at the time, so I didn't see it but I did hear it.
 
ClaireP said:
Hi Helen. Have you made any progress? I have collected my two 8 week old piggies today who will be living in an outdoor hutch. My main concern is giving them attention over winter as I do not have a shed or garage etc to give them. I also am not able to bring them into live as do not have an indoor space for a big cage
Click to expand...

No still trying to think what to do, might have to wait until summer again as I've read you shouldn't bring them in and out during winter
 
Flamestriker said:
View attachment 52206
Here is the indoor run I am currently using. It is the large one from Zooplus. It cost me £35 and a petshop several miles from me (not the green one) had the same pen for £65.

It looks messy because the girls have dragged bits of hay and hay cookies and the Natural's harvest festival herbs and grasses everywhere. I actually have two chubs, a hay rack, a Trixi frame thing with hay in it (they ate the corn) and a bendy log in it. I change one or two items inside at least once a week, but keep the rest as they have their scent on them. They did have a double cuddle sack, but they did wees in it yesterday and now it's drying after being washed.

The girls did Zoomies and some popcorns soon as they were put in the pen tonight. I was busy prepping their veggies at the time, so I didn't see it but I did hear it.
Click to expand...

I have seen these on different websites and have thought about getting one,
Is it easy to clean and out away? I suppose I'd have to limit what sort of messy stuff they have in their Lol
 
Helen, the bottom zips and is waterproof (I think.)

I have wiped mine over once, and it was quick and easy. It comes down in moments and slides in to its case to be put away. The case is large but flat. I use puppy pads in the bottom - my girls prefer just the pads rather than newspaper. I use two layers of puppy pads in case there are...jeans as these pads are the cheap ones. So far no leaks!
 
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