Is My Cage Suitable?

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Swizzle's_Mom26

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I have a 100 x 50 cm cage and I take Swizzle out for playtime in a 7.5' x 5' space every day. She gets 2-3 hours roaming and playing in tunnels and toys every day, and then I attempt lap time for 5 minutes afterward. My parents won't let me get a bigger cage, because quote unquote, "Guinea Pigs are so small, they don't need that much space and it's a waste of money." I have tried and TRIED to get them to allow me to purchase a larger cage (I have almost enough money for a 2 x 4 C&C cage) but they won't budge. So is my cage ok as long as I continue to give her playtime in a 7.5' by 5' pen for 2-3 hours daily?
I really hope this doesn't make me a bad piggy owner. :(
 
No, it doesn't make you a bad owner! That cage is at the low end for a single piggy, but you are giving Swizzle plenty of daily roaming time.

You could think about adding a little mezzanine or hay loft with cable tying in a square grilling rack or piece of wood of a suitable size with a little ramp, just to give a bit more space. You can also have a look through our toy thread for enrichment. ;)
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/guinea-pig-toys.43520/

I am sure that any pets you have as an adult will have a good life. In the meantime, you are giving Swizzle the best of lives you can. She also has got all your love.
 
Don't blame yourself, I used to have the same problem. What I did was pleaded with my parents to get my two boys out of a pet store cage and into a C&C cage, and now they're getting me one for Christmas! You could try that. Otherwise, it sounds okay. It seems like she is getting plenty of roaming time, and lots of cuddles. :)
 
The only thing I would add is that 5 minutes cuddle time isn't long enough! You pick her up, she just gets settled and then you put her back in the cage!
I would give it 15 minutes at first, feeding her small titbits every now and then so that she associates cuddles with something nice. Make it longer as she gets more used to you. And a big thick towel is a good idea - in case of accidents!
 
@7squeakers. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hold her for 15 minutes, but she is very skittish, I've heard Abyssinians sometimes are like that, and if I keep her for longer than 5 minutes she bites my clothes and wheeks and won't sit still. She makes it plain that she is done. I've found that a carrot bribes her into staying 30 seconds longer, so tomorrow I'm going to try giving her the usual 1 cup of afternoon veggies (she gets parsley, lettuce, 2 baby carrots, 5 slices of cucumber, kale and whatever other veggies we happen to have) in my lap. Maybe that will get her to stay longer. She is warming up to me. I've only had her a few weeks.
 
Abbys are strong minded ;) it sounds like you are a great owner. Could you make a little run for her out of grids maybe in your bedroom so she can play whilst you are out at school/college? Just put a plastic ground sheet then fleece down to protect your floor ;) obviously you cang do that if you have cats or other predators roaming the house while you are out!
 
Swizzle's_Mom26 said:
@7squeakers. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hold her for 15 minutes, but she is very skittish, I've heard Abyssinians sometimes are like that, and if I keep her for longer than 5 minutes she bites my clothes and wheeks and won't sit still. She makes it plain that she is done. I've found that a carrot bribes her into staying 30 seconds longer, so tomorrow I'm going to try giving her the usual 1 cup of afternoon veggies (she gets parsley, lettuce, 2 baby carrots, 5 slices of cucumber, kale and whatever other veggies we happen to have) in my lap. Maybe that will get her to stay longer. She is warming up to me. I've only had her a few weeks.
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You hold her as long as she is comfy, praise her and encourage her lots during that time, and slowly, slowly you can extend it. Not every piggy is a cuddler. ;)
You may find some of the tricks in this thread here helpful: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...stincts-and-speak-piggy-body-language.117031/
 
I don't think you are a bad owner. You are doing the best you can. If it's not your house you have to abide by your parents rules. You sound like a very caring owner. Hugs to little Swizzle. (Hoping to see some pics soon)
 
I have an aby who is noisy and hyperactive and doesnt often settle when out. I have found that he likes to sit in my hood though! That usually keeps him quiet for a while as he likes how snuggly it is :) Somewhere nice and comfy and not too open basically. It may be a case of finding something he likes to sit in (they love fleece a lot) and he might settle for a bit longer.
 
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