My new cage :D

Status
Not open for further replies.
N

ninz

Joined
Jul 20, 2011
Messages
593
Reaction score
2
Points
0
Location
London
So my boyfriend made me a cage from here

http://www.guineapigzone.com/c-and-c-cages-guinea-pigs/14-cages-with-decks/68-xl-cage--2x2-loft

It took forever to arrive but it came eventually and we both worked to put it together. He did most of the work!

My piggies will be coming home tomorrow. I am seeing Doeylicious as they are with her tonight. Piggiepal and Pebbles have worked really hard in bringing the guinea pigs from Glocestershire to London. Thank you all so much! x

Here is my cage... it is so massive it only just hit me that I actually do have a big cage.

IMAG0618.jpg


This is the top. The bowls are empty which will be full tomorrow and so will the hay! On the right is a lovely bed and I love the little hidey house!

IMAG0619.jpg


Here is the bottom with two fabulous cosies.

IMAG0620.jpg


Theres the other side to the bottom... There is a cool mat where they can sit and relax and gnaw at. They have a toilet roll each filled with grass, herby treats and hay (from the London pet show) They have a cosy cup and sticks to play with.

IMAG0621.jpg



Although today was exciting. I was quite emotional by the end of everything. Perhaps it might be a spell of depression?.. As I am just recovering from it, doing really well though so very happy about that.

I just felt overwhelmed about the piggies. I felt worried etc and I know that these must be the characteristics of a good owner but there was a horrible feeling there too... and it was regret. Why did I feel this? Although I am not really feeling it now.

I keep thinking am I doing the right thing? It is all so scary and these little babies are my responsibility. I hope I can make them happy.

My boyfriend was super special today and really made me feel better about things. I think I just need someone to back me up and say hey! Theyre great and you will be fine once you get into it.
 
I kinda know that feeling, I felt like that when I bought my house, like argh what have I gotten into?! I think it's just a bit of feeling overwhelmed along with the responsibility aspect but completely normal.
That cage is huge, brilliant set up! Thry're going to be very lucky spoilt piggies! :(|)
It might be a nice idea to try scattering some hay over the newspaper, piggies love rummaging in it and it'll help absorb stuff but see how you get on, there's loads of different bedding ideas out there :)
Don't forget pics tomorrow! You must be so excited! I know you've been waiting for this day for a while!x
 
gogoguineas said:
I kinda know that feeling, I felt like that when I bought my house, like argh what have I gotten into?! I think it's just a bit of feeling overwhelmed along with the responsibility aspect but completely normal.
That cage is huge, brilliant set up! Thry're going to be very lucky spoilt piggies! :(|)
It might be a nice idea to try scattering some hay over the newspaper, piggies love rummaging in it and it'll help absorb stuff but see how you get on, there's loads of different bedding ideas out there :)
Don't forget pics tomorrow! You must be so excited! I know you've been waiting for this day for a while!x
Click to expand...

Yes lol I was going to do that today but as they are not here... I thought it was ok to do that tomorrow morning as I was knackered. The cage was quite hard to set up... I hated doing the ducktape around the correx. It was grey and kind of ruined the colour... should have bought a clear one! Oh well lol

I am going to start with newspaper and hay and see how it goes. Bedding can be quite expensive... ecpecally for a large cage like this.

Definately will be loads of pics tomorrow. I am going to make a scrap book of my animals... budgies and piggies :P I have been waiting ages for them and I really have done so much reading and learning but this is all so real, it is quite frightening. I am hoping that once I see them, I melt and calm down lol
 
wow! That's an impressive cage! Does your mum still think they're hamsters? :))

They're certainly lucky piggies! I hope you manage to get a bit of sleep at least tonight amidst the excitement!

One thing I would suggest, is that the cage looks quite "open" at the moment. They're likely to be a bit nervous at first, could you peg a small blanket or towel to the 2nd floor, like hanging down, that they can run under, to give them a bit of a dark cave-like area until they get used to the new environment?

You may also want to provide food/hay/water on the bottom level to begin with until they're confident enough to use the ramp and top level too :)
 
Last edited:
Amanda1801 said:
wow! That's an impressive cage! Does your mum still think they're hamsters? :))

They're certainly lucky piggies! I hope you manage to get a bit of sleep at least tonight amidst the excitement!
Click to expand...

Thank you :D

Hahaha she was sooo shocked at the size... I did argue though but of course not in that rude sense, just backing up myself. She said why so big? I said because I hardly work in my room (No more uni so no more assignments yay) The space that has been taken over is not used so what is wrong with a cage this big being there. She couldnt argue so said fine lol

I told her that they are called guineas (left out the pigs part lol) They are bigger than hamsters (much bigger) She has seen my books so hopefully she knows what I am getting. It annoys me that she is so unknowledgeable in animals. Hoopefully I can change her like I did with my budgies, she loves them inside but shows it less on the outside.

I think I might sleep after a bit of hyperness... the cage has exhausted me!
 
ninz said:
Thank you :D

Hahaha she was sooo shocked at the size... I did argue though but of course not in that rude sense, just backing up myself. She said why so big? I said because I hardly work in my room (No more uni so no more assignments yay) The space that has been taken over is not used so what is wrong with a cage this big being there. She couldnt argue so said fine lol

I told her that they are called guineas (left out the pigs part lol) They are bigger than hamsters (much bigger) She has seen my books so hopefully she knows what I am getting. It annoys me that she is so unknowledgeable in animals. Hoopefully I can change her like I did with my budgies, she loves them inside but shows it less on the outside.

I think I might sleep after a bit of hyperness... the cage has exhausted me!
Click to expand...

I edited my reply, not sure if you saw that bit.

You could call them cavies? :))

I'm sure she'll come to love them - how could she possibly not!

I don't know if I've mentioned, but one side of my family is Indian. They never kept animals as pets, and when they came over to visit they initially thought having dogs and birds etc. in the house as dirty and such, but soon came around to the idea and by the end of their visit they were more upset at saying good bye to the dogs than us! :))

I think part of it may be fear of the unknown? It's like if we went somewhere and they were keeping an alligator as a pet in the house, we'd be a bit taken aback! I'm sure your mum will learn to love the piggies!
 
Have just read it now, thank you :D

Do you mean to cover up the first floor which is the top one? Or the second floor? (Bottom one)

I did not think of all this, how silly of me. Of course they will feel quite scared. I will bring the water and good down stairs until they start feeliing a bit more confident. Thank you for that.

I think you have mentioned it before in one of my threads. It is really annoying that they do not understand it. My mum is more worried about the smell saying the smell will cause more illnesses for me. Humans smell too but long as we look after ourselves we are ok. So it is the same with animals.

I hope she learns, afterall I am looking after them and I am not a child. She still has this over controlling manner around me. Let me live lool
 
You can use clothes pegs to attach a blanket or something to the grids next to the ramp so it dangles down and gives a cover over the front of the bit underneath the upper level. Just leave a small gap at one end so they can run in and out :)
 
Love the cage, it's fabulous - well done you! I can already tell you are going to be a great owner and we're all here for any questions you may have in the future! Looking forward to pigtures!
 
The piggy house is fab - you have though it all through and it's paid off, I love it x)
Just need piggies now (and lots of photos when they have settled) :(|)
 
The cage is fantastic well done! I bet you are so excited! It's a good idea to drape an old towel or something over one end of the cage, I still do that with mine, it gives them somewhere dark to run to & will make them feel safer. There's nothing wrong with newspaper & hay, I kept a pair of mine in the past just on that, it does start to smell more quickly though, so if you can, pop in a small cat litter tray lined with newspaper or Carefresh & hang a hay rack over it, then they should do most of their wees in there. That can be changed daily then. If they are still small make sure you cut the loo roll tubes along the length in case they stick their heads in them & get stuck :) If they are going to live in your bedroom remember not to use deodorant/body sprays or perfume in your room, or air fresheners as they are dangerous to guineas. Use them in the bathroom instead & keep your bedroom door closed if you can.

They look like they are going to have a great home, I'm sure your mum will come around to loving them, I completely fell in love with our first pair & 11 years on & 7 guineas later I still adore them :)
 
Yes some where dark for them to hide might be good, I used clothes pegs and a spare tea towel and pegged it across one corner.
Or just an up turned box with an arch cut out either end works good too.
Are they home yet? :))
 
Bekki2308 said:
if you dont mind me asking how much did that cost including shipping?
Click to expand...

It cost around £180 plus £30 for delivery, so very expensive but worth it.

I haven't taken any pictures as they seem quite stressed and I am feeling it too. Feeling absolutely sick and feel so nervous. I think the responsibility has just hit me. It is all very different, reading a book and then doing the actual things. I am worried hay will run out (even though I have topped up a lot) I am worried about everything. I am worried about how I will look after them, in terms of health etc. Feeling truly sick, like I need to vomit :( Wish I was not like this. Anyone else had this because I am truly worried. Hope it will not last and hope I will get over it. Piggies are ok though as they are hiding behind the blanket.
 
Oh bless you. I know it's easier to say but really try not to panic or worry too much. You're doing just fine, whilst we see all the things that can go wrong with piggies on here they are still quite hardy little things. It sounds like you are doing a brilliant job with them and they will love you for it, you'll get to know how much they eat/drink and how much you'll need to top things up quite quickly and whilst piggies eat a lot you'll have enough time to notice when things are running low.

Big hugs, you'll be a great owner :)
 
Guinea pigs <3 said:
Oh bless you. I know it's easier to say but really try not to panic or worry too much. You're doing just fine, whilst we see all the things that can go wrong with piggies on here they are still quite hardy little things. It sounds like you are doing a brilliant job with them and they will love you for it, you'll get to know how much they eat/drink and how much you'll need to top things up quite quickly and whilst piggies eat a lot you'll have enough time to notice when things are running low.

Big hugs, you'll be a great owner :)
Click to expand...

Thank you lovely. It's been an emotional day. Also weather has been really weird, cold and then really humid. I have just vomited so feeling a bit better.
Mum keeps making me feel bad too, like she said, make sure you wear gloves when you handle them and clean their cage lol Come on!

I am working full time too so I will be quite worried throughout the day. I will give them some veggies tomorrow in the morning when I leave for work and then I will another batch in the evening. Hopefully that should be ok.

I think maybe a week later everything should be ok. Once I get into a routine hopefully.
 
ninz said:
Thank you lovely. It's been an emotional day. Also weather has been really weird, cold and then really humid. I have just vomited so feeling a bit better.
Mum keeps making me feel bad too, like she said, make sure you wear gloves when you handle them and clean their cage lol Come on!

I am working full time too so I will be quite worried throughout the day. I will give them some veggies tomorrow in the morning when I leave for work and then I will another batch in the evening. Hopefully that should be ok.

I think maybe a week later everything should be ok. Once I get into a routine hopefully.
Click to expand...

The weather has been awful here hasn't it! I was freezing earlier! Of course you don't need to wear gloves when you hold them! It's up to you when you clean them out whether you'd prefer to wear them or not, I don't! Just wash my hands after! The only time you might need to wear gloves is if they had a fungal infection but you don't need to worry about that as they will both be healthy piggies coming from a rescue!

I work full time and my piggies are absolutely fine. I give them their morning veggies, top up the hay and fresh water and they are sorted for the day. Sometimes I don't get home until quite late (last night 9.30pm) and they are fine. Like you said you'll find your own routine that works! I always chop their morning veggies up when I do the evenings lot as it's quicker then in the mornings :)

Try to enjoy them as much as you can as they will bring lots to your life!
 
Yes I was cold too and now I am really hot!

I think I will wear gloves to make her feel better and maybe soon she will start to see that they aren't dirty. She thinks the hay stinks like mad lol

Wow, that is reassuring to know that by 9.30pm they were still ok. I will be home around 6pm so it should be ok. I have just chopped the veggies up for tomorrow morning so I don't have to do anything early morning. I already dread getting out of my warm bed lol

Thank you for your post, it does make me feel better when I get a bit of support and encouragement.
 
No problem at all. Hay can smell quite strong when you're not used to it but after a while you grow to love the smell! :))

Piggies are really clean animals and rarely smell, if you wear gloves you wont be able to feel how soft they are ;) it's really quite therapeutic stroking them after a bad day! x) Dottie is currently asleep on my lap with her chicken legs poking out, I need to go to bed as I get up early but I don't want to disturb her! rolleyes

Hope you feel better now :)
 
Guinea pigs <3 said:
No problem at all. Hay can smell quite strong when you're not used to it but after a while you grow to love the smell! :))

Piggies are really clean animals and rarely smell, if you wear gloves you wont be able to feel how soft they are ;) it's really quite therapeutic stroking them after a bad day! x) Dottie is currently asleep on my lap with her chicken legs poking out, I need to go to bed as I get up early but I don't want to disturb her! rolleyes

Hope you feel better now :)
Click to expand...

Awww Dottie! x

I will definately be stroking them without gloves but I will do the cleaning out with gloves just to reassure her that things are ok. I will definately stop using them after.

Hay will not bother budgies will it? My budgies are sleeping in my room right now and I found the hay smell quite strong but it should not cause any respiratory problems. The hay is dust extracted so it should be ok.

I am feeling a bit better thank you, still very emotional but I am not expecting it to all just vanish. Maybe it is just normal and it will soon go away.

I can't wait until mine are like Dottie, all lying down and cuddly!
 
Hi Ninz just wondered how you and the piggies are getting on? Hope they're settling in ok, their cage looks ace they're very lucky piggies! :) Has your mum been ok with them? Just been catching up with your thread and reading about how anxious and worried you've been feeling. Has this calmed down now or are you still feeling the same? I get anxious / tense and worry about things and find that one of the best things to help with it is exercise - if i get stressed about something i go for a run or a swim and it really helps to lift my mood! Can't wait to see pictures and hear more about your piggies, try not to worry about them too much, am sure you'll be a great owner! :)
 
Hey,

I been suffering from depression too, and got some little piggies to help me though it. I had some when i was younger, when i was down i always use to think about how happy i was with them, so i decided i should get some.

I am always worrying if they are okay, and should they be doing that. So you are not the only one :) I always think that my old guinea pigs never did what my new ones do, and sit and worry. But i was only 10/11 when i got my first ones so i don't think i noticed everything as much as i do now.

I am sure your are doing a wonderful Job with them :) and they are certainly lucky little piggies to have that amazing cage :)

Lizzie :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top