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becciwales

becciwales

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Hi guys, I'm new to having guinea pigs, I had one as a child but my mum did all the caring for it. My hubby and I have 2 9 week old babies. We have the ferplast 80 cage. It's plenty big enough for now as they're still small and are enjoying running around in it unless I move and they run away (we've only had them 3 days). I was wondering when do we need to be looking at a bigger cage? I think we'll want to keep them as house piggies to spend as much time with them as possible. I've looked at some of the cages you have on here, they look amazing but we'd need it to be solid as we have a dog, he only looks at the cage but if it didn't have a solid lid, accidents could happen. Would a bigger ferplast be better in the future?
Bec x
 
Definitely. An 80 is going to be too small in probably 2 months. Maybe less.

I have a 100 that I'll be looking to unload cheaply in a month or so as I'm currently building a C&C. Even that's too small for 2 boys long-term, I would say. (Pet shops sell them as fine for 2 grown pigs, but I wouldn't recommend it unless they get LOADS of free range time in between -- it looks cramped to me and I don't even have full-grown boars yet). If you want it as a long-term solution though, I'd recommend at least a 120.

Bear in mind C&C cages aren't impossible to cat- or dog-proof. I'm just using more grids to build a base -- we'll store all their stuff underneath it -- so it's raised off the floor, and more to make a roof. I'm also cable-tying everything in addition to using the normal snaps that come with the cubes for added stability. Other people use wood etc. to make a solid roof. I started putting mine together last night and it's surprisingly sturdy.

If it's a big dog I might also advocate putting the pigs somewhere where they can be shut away from him when you aren't home, because big strong dogs can get into almost anything when they want to!
 
becciwales said:
Hi guys, I'm new to having guinea pigs, I had one as a child but my mum did all the caring for it. My hubby and I have 2 9 week old babies. We have the ferplast 80 cage. It's plenty big enough for now as they're still small and are enjoying running around in it unless I move and they run away (we've only had them 3 days). I was wondering when do we need to be looking at a bigger cage? I think we'll want to keep them as house piggies to spend as much time with them as possible. I've looked at some of the cages you have on here, they look amazing but we'd need it to be solid as we have a dog, he only looks at the cage but if it didn't have a solid lid, accidents could happen. Would a bigger ferplast be better in the future?
Bec x
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i have the ferplast 120 or it could be 140? Not sure now.. Hmmm. Sorry not helpful i know lol anyway its the £120 one that pets @ home sell.. It is very big! My OH went mad whe i came back with it as it takes up all our hallway :-P i only have 1 full grown piggy in it and to be honest he looks lost in it, so it would be plenty big enough for 2 adult pigs. They are actually intended for large breed rabbits so are plenty big enough for a pair of piggys. So long as they have an hour minimum a day in a run on your lawn to play and exercise obviously. Id start looking for a larger cage within the next few months you will be surprised by how quick piggys grow! Also if there cage is to small you may start to witness squabbling for space and territory.. Hope this helps.. X
 
That's great. Thanks for your help both. I knew it would only be a short term cage and I think I'll go for the ferplast again. It's up on a stand, so not floor level. Taz is a terrier cross so he's jack Russell sized. He's not in the lounge when we're out. He has his own cage when we're out as he has fits and I know he can't fall off anything in there when I'm not there to make sure he's ok. We haven't bought a run yet, they're settling in but still very skittish. As soon as we're able to pick them up I'll get them a run.
:))
 
You need to get them a run asap as piggys need exercise and acess to fresh grass and fresh air, its not fair for them to be cooped up in a cage all day. They will quickly become depressed so to speak. Also from tragic past experience please keep your dog away from your piggys if it is a terrier type breed aka ratting breed as your piggys will be instant prey as soon as your dog spys them and gets into terrier mode.. Be very careful.
 
My dog has always been fine with my rabbits when I had them as long as they are in the hutch/cage/run. I know my dog, he's almost 10, I also know that he would eat them given half the chance. I have never let this happen to my rabbits or hamsters. I'm not going to let him eat my piggies.
 
Oh I meant to add, I will get a run, what is recommended? Plus I have no grass. They have an endless supply of hay. And fresh veggies a few times a day.
 
Hello :)

I used to live in Bridgend! I'm in the car going there as I type to see family!

120 cage is the minimum size for 2 piggys, but bigger Is always better. Online shops sell bigger cages cheap!

I don't have grass either but they are on unlimited hay and pellets! Fresh veg everyday too :)

Oh too add, I have a jack russell cross! And he's fine with us holding the pigs he just wants a sniff! But obviously I don't leave them unattended even in the run if he is around. My dog is scared of mice let alone big pigs! Heh
 
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Aww, bless! We will get a bigger cage in a few months or when needed if sooner. I don't think taz would like them on my lap, he gets jealous but there are plenty of rooms to put him in for us to hold them and them to have floor time. They won't let us stroke them or anything yet let alone pick them up and get them out. They keep running into the bedroom. :-(
 
I only have one pig who will let me stroke him in the cage and pick him up! He's over a year old and I've had him about 10 months.. He's special needs so was pretty tame when I got him!

With the others I just talked quietly to them and tempted them to my hand with fresh fruit or veg! They all love being out and cuddled but all hate being picked up!

All you need is patience and some veg! Haha
 
Haha, our cat is mega-jealous of the pigs. He'll completely ignore me for days, but the second Machu is curled up on my chest on the sofa, Gizmo appears, crawling all over my lap and acting like he loves me more than he can even stand!

becciwales said:
Oh I meant to add, I will get a run, what is recommended? Plus I have no grass. They have an endless supply of hay. And fresh veggies a few times a day.
Click to expand...

I have something like this for mine; the one I have is held together with stakes that you can drive straight into the ground when it's outside, but I set it up inside as well just fine. The net gives them shade if they're outside and keeps them safe from stray cats/dogs/etc.

The C&C cubes that people on here use for cages also make great little runs. Again, you can use more grids to make a roof so they're protected, and they're super easy to make bigger/smaller, or to make new shapes from to keep your piggies interested.

Either option will flat pack down for easy storage.

If you don't have grass, what do you have? Are we talking about a run you'd only use indoors? The reason I ask is, if it IS going to be outside but on another surface, what surface? People can advise you if it's definitely piggie-safe and of any precautions you might need to take. (ie, if it's stone, make sure it's not too hot or cold for their little feet, or cover it with a fleece blanket in their run).
 
I have a large indoor run and it has a removable floor so it can be used on grass as it comes with stakes. It pops up and folds down :)

I use it in my living room and the dog plays upstairs or outside :)

Sorry I can't post a link -posted on the phone!
 
We have patio slabs. I wouldn't put them straight on that I'd use a fleece or something so they wouldn't be too cold/hot. Though, I would probably just get one for indoors and keep the dog downstairs or outside while they're out so they'd be perfectly safe. Where is best to get a corner litter tray from? Pets at home only sell the big ones for rabbits. We managed to have a cuddle last night with one :-)) plus they know the hay bag now! Thanks for all your advice, I'm already planning a bigger cage with my hubby and where it can go! xx
 
My run is directly on patio slabs as we don't have any grass - it's an apex sort, so they do have a sleeping box at one end which is raised off the ground and filled with hay. As long as you site it out of direct sun, the patio slabs actually stay very cool and I feel that it helps to wear their nails down a little bit. I certainly wouldn't worry about putting a run directly onto your patio slabs, as long as they have a box to shelter/hide/chillax in. :)
 
If you are leaving the pigs outside unattended you need a secure run, both of my groups have enclosed wooden runs as we have cats, foxes and plenty of birdlife around that could attack the piggies while they enjoy some outside fresh air. If you are going to stay outside with them all times when they are in the run, a wire one is fine, but be aware people have in the past posted that birds of prey have attacked their pigs in open topped runs.

Its irrelevant if they get to have grass time or patio time as long as they have something to eat and shelter while outside, the fresh air and different environment will be great for them. In the winter if you are able, an inside set up run would be fine but not imperative as I cannot do this myself having a dog that would not play nicely with my pigs either.

And on that subject, if you are able to keep the dog and pigs separate, ensure safety measures are in place just incase (I have a stairgate on the pigs room door and a fence around the hutch outside), my dog is respectful to them in their hutch, pens and runs but was a working lurcher in her past so was used for catching rabbits and I respect that part of her so I make sure I do everything possible to keep both sides happy. I do have lap time with my pair of boys and she has learnt that when they are with me, they are to be given space and not to be touched, it would be a different matter should they get away from me and this is why I am very careful, however it is possible to manage both.

And you really do need a 120 or larger cage when possible, the size you have is far too small and they will grow quickly, it would be better for them to have the space they deserve.
 
I will be buying a new cage ASAP. When they are out of their cage, Taz wouldn't be in the same room as them. He'd be out side or elsewhere if it was raining. He's fine with them in the cage. It's all new to him so he just watches them from about 6 foot away. He was closer but they frightened him when they ran into the bedroom. I'm sure he wouldn't play nicely either being a ratter breed. Thanks for the advice. I'll get an out door run with a lid and we've planned where to put the bigger cage and how we can make a run for them upstairs in the spare room.
As always, thank you for the advice! Any tips are very gratefully received!
Bec xx
 
Just thought I'd add a couple tips for handling as you say they wont let you. I've found that coaxing the piggy into a tube or snuggle sac then lifting them out is a lot less stressful for them, rather than chasing them around trying to pick them up directly. They have strong instincts and so if they're not used to contact they'll take something trying to pick them up as dangerous/threatening (like a bird of prey).

Tubes: [ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Giant-Chube-Guinea-Rabbit-Chinchilla/dp/B0037XQ31C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345370045&sr=8-1"]Giant Chube Play Toy Guinea Pig,Rabbit,Rat Chinchilla: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home[/ame]

Some snuggle sacs: http://www.cosycavies.co.uk/products/snuggle-sacs/
 
I have just had a bargain on eBay. A C&C cage, loads of other guinea pig bits and bobs too £23.50 :(|)
Our boys will be in a bigger cage before they know it!
 
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