Is this cage okay for my Guniea pigs?

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Gadzy

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Hello all,

I have bought and put together this cage which I will post the link. It says it's for guniea pigs and dwarf rabbits. It has got all good reviews from guniea pig owners. I'm worried they won't use the top level? Some have said give them some time to adapt to the new place and they should use it. Thoughts?

Ferplast Vital Small Pet Cage 120
 
A 120cm x 60cm cage is the minimum sized cage they should be in but it does meet the minimum welfare requirement. So yes it is fine for two guinea pigs only, but it is the absolute smallest they should be kept in. The bigger cage you can offer beyond this size, then the better it is for them. Upper levels do not count towards the cage size, they need a large single level cage. Upper levels are bonus spaces only. Piggies are ground roaming and some don’t like heights so may not like to use a ramp, particularly if it too steep and doesn’t have sides on it
 
Great, I bought this extra because of the extra floor. I should have kept the old one which was the same cage size and cage but just a single floor :(... I don't have much money and I thought I was doing them a favour!
 
It was good of you to look to give them more space, but it does only count if it is on the single level.

If your space allows, for you to put the top level on the floor, alongside the bottom part of the cage to double their floor space, cutting a gap between the two bases maybe? I’m not sure how feasible that is as I don’t have experience of such cages
 
Piggies&buns said:
It was good of you to look to give them more space, but it does only count if it is on the single level.

If your space allows, for you to put the top level on the floor, alongside the bottom part of the cage to double their floor space, cutting a gap between the two bases maybe? I’m not sure how feasible that is as I don’t have experience of such cages
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You may need to make the ramp safe from falls and also provide a surface with good grip (like a cut to size indoors door mat or a carpet offcut that you tape on with double tape. You will also have something that makes the sides safe. If the ramp is too steep, see whether placing in on a sturdy wooden hut they can jump on can make it easier and safer to use for your piggies.
Ramps in Cages

I am sorry that you have already invested a lot of money in a traditional two tier cage when the amount would have netted you a larger C&C grid cage if you had asked for cage recommendations on here. :(
Cage Size Guide
 
It looks like the top Belem can be lifted out. I’d do as Piggies&Buns has said and put it on the floor to make a longer space. You’d have to take the bottom level off the wheels. Then you can use a wooden bridge or something else to act as a bridge between the two. Or even cut out a small doorway for them.

If they’re boars then putting one next to the other is definitely better. Sorry I can’t remember what you have 😬
 
Is it possible for you to either try the suggestions above or, perhaps to return it for a refund and then purchase a c&c instead?
 
What if I attached a tube all the way up like this? It extends to size as well.. obviously I'd have to attach the tube properly.
 

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IzzyGad said:
What if I attached a tube all the way up like this? It extends to size as well.. obviously I'd have to attach the tube properly.
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You could do. Just be aware you’d have to be able to take the tube off to clean - they’re likely to poo and wee inside it. It’s still better to raise the ramp somehow so it’s not so steep. C&E cozies also makes ramp tunnels. Just something else for you to consider.
 
IzzyGad said:
What do you make of the start I have done here? It's a bit of ribbed matting I found. Will concentrate on steepness after I've attached these
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That will definitely help with their grip, but you’ll need to ensure that the mats can be cleaned.
 
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My boys had a cage similar to this for the first year that I had them. They used the ramp very well but they are both young healthy pigs that first started using the ramp when they were very young. They quite liked having a second floor so they could spy on me to see if I was getting them veggies.
 
Sweet Potato said:
My boys had a cage similar to this for the first year that I had them. They used the ramp very well but they are both young healthy pigs that first started using the ramp when they were very young. They quite liked having a second floor so they could spy on me to see if I was getting them veggies.
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Did they take a while to use it? I have put the matting on there for grip and angled it at a better steepness. I have a couple of sows which are under a year old. 7 months maybe?
 
they were a bit intimidated at first but scattering lettuce up and down the ramp soon cured that (they only used it while I was out the room for the first few weeks)
 
You have done a really nice job with the ramp - I am certain they will feel more confident using it.
 
I also put some lettuce on the ramp and they took it halfway up and went back down, is that a good sign that their being inquisitive?
 
IzzyGad said:
I also put some lettuce on the ramp and they took it halfway up and went back down, is that a good sign that their being inquisitive?
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Yes it is a good sign.
Everything is new and it will take them a while to get used ot the changes.
It would probabably help of you could cover half of the cage with an old towel or blanket so they feel safer to explore.
 
The only thing that is worrying me now is the gap at the top? I have the sides up and carpet down. They are not slipping at all or anything. I have attached a picture from the ramps sticky thread of the issue I am on about. I was wondering if you'd be worried about it or it should be fine? @Wiebke @Siikibam @Swissgreys @Sweet Potato @Piggies&buns ...sorry just tagged a few that have replied in this thread. No rush and hope everyone is well. This isn't my photo by the way, but shows exactly what I'm on about
 

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IzzyGad said:
The only thing that is worrying me now is the gap at the top? I have the sides up and carpet down. They are not slipping at all or anything. I have attached a picture from the ramps sticky thread of the issue I am on about. I was wondering if you'd be worried about it or it should be fine? @Wiebke @Siikibam @Swissgreys @Sweet Potato @Piggies&buns ...sorry just tagged a few that have replied in this thread. No rush and hope everyone is well. This isn't my photo by the way, but shows exactly what I'm on about
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Could you maybe put on a other piece of matting, maybe attach it an inch or so to the top of the ramp which can then
flap over onto the cage base to cover over the gap?
 
:agr: I’d try and cover that gap. It looks big enough for a foot to slip in.
 
yeah that would worry me too. you wouldn't want a foot getting stuck in there. what bedding do you use? if you use fleece you could maybe tuck the fleece in the gap to block it
 
I have covered the gap and found one of them at the top looking round! I feed the greens on the bottom, she was very sceptical of going down, she nearly did buy backed off so I picked her up and popper her back on the bottom deck with her friend and greens. That's a good sign though right? I have a house and hay upstairs as well. I think the carpet over the gap helped them. She might of gone down stairs if I went out the room... @Swissgreys @Sweet Potato @Siikibam @Piggies&buns
 
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