What to do with piggies when work is being done in the house

[Chettsgenie]

We are having some work done in the house that will take a few days and will be very noisy. The pigs are currently living in the room next to where the work will be getting done, but some work will be done downstairs also. My options for moving them while this is being done (during the day only) are as follows: put them in outdoor hutch or put them in their pen (which is only slightly smaller than their candc cage) in the kitchen downstairs. My concern with the hutch is I was rabbit sitting a few weeks ago and I'm not sure if it's safe for the piggies to go in the hutch when it's been used by rabbits recently, even though it's been disinfected and would be again if we decide that's where they need to go. Any suggestions appreciated. Please note we don't have the option of giving them to someone else to look after as the family members who could do this aren't available when the work is being done. They will be in their usual cage at night so I just need to move them during the day.

 

[Chettsgenie]

I meant to add they only recently got back together after some time apart because they were fighting ceaselessly for a while when Tweek had a hormone spike and I'm a bit worried about stirring things up again moving them because they seem even closer bonded now than they were before, even snuggling up together. Wish I could leave them where they are but a wall is being knocked down so I'm worried the noise will be too much for them.

 

[Wiebke]

I meant to add they only recently got back together after some time apart because they were fighting ceaselessly for a while when Tweek had a hormone spike and I'm a bit worried about stirring things up again moving them because they seem even closer bonded now than they were before, even snuggling up together. Wish I could leave them where they are but a wall is being knocked down so I'm worried the noise will be too much for them.

Hi! If possible move them to a room that is as far from the building site as possible. We've been through two house extensions with my guinea pigs, and it was not fun.
Take the time to read our tips re. changes to cages/location in the boar guide; they will hopefully help you: A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

 

[RicoandRocky]

I recently had my room done up and I couldnt move the guinea pigs to a different room due to some issues with allergies. So I gave them some lavander to help them relax blocked of half the cage and put them right beside a window so they could have a nosey out and nothing being done in my room would scare them because they couldnt see

 

[Chettsgenie]

Hi! If possible move them to a room that is as far from the building site as possible. We've been through two house extensions with my guinea pigs, and it was not fun.
Take the time to read our tips re. changes to cages/location in the boar guide; they will hopefully help you: A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

Thanks, ill check that guide now.

 

[Chettsgenie]

I recently had my room done up and I couldnt move the guinea pigs to a different room due to some issues with allergies. So I gave them some lavander to help them relax blocked of half the cage and put them right beside a window so they could have a nosey out and nothing being done in my room would scare them because they couldnt see

I'm lucky in that I do have a couple of options for moving them. It's reassuring though that your piggies were okay when they were in the same room as work being done

 

[Chettsgenie]

I think ill move them to the kitchen in their pen because they're used to being in there so should hopefully be okay. Thanks

 

[RicoandRocky]

I'm lucky in that I do have a couple of options for moving them. It's reassuring though that your piggies were okay when they were in the same room as work being done

Yeah they enjoyed begging of people they couldnt even see

 

[Wiebke]

I recently had my room done up and I couldnt move the guinea pigs to a different room due to some issues with allergies. So I gave them some lavander to help them relax blocked of half the cage and put them right beside a window so they could have a nosey out and nothing being done in my room would scare them because they couldnt see

Please DO NOT use scents around guinea pigs - they have a very small respiratory system and a different metabolism to humans. What is fine for us is not necessarily working in the same way for rodents!

Guinea pigs are prey animals. Yes, they will endure if they have to, but it is very stressful for them. Keep in mind that smell and hearing are their strongest senses and sight their weakest.

If you can, please get them out of the house altogether for the duration or at least move them as far from the hubbub as possible. One of my frailest older piggies died on the day the builders knocked a wall down in our house. That was not a coincidence. She may have lived a little longer otherwise.
I have boarded a trio of older piggies for a local friend of mine for that reason on one occasion.

 

[Chettsgenie]

My husband is insisting we put them in the hutch outside. Ill be thoroughly cleaning it tomorrow even though it's already clean. It's probably the best option for keeping them away from the noise that we have.

 

[Chettsgenie]

Please DO NOT use scents around guinea pigs - they have a very small respiratory system and a different metabolism to humans. What is fine for us is not necessarily working in the same way for rodents!

Guinea pigs are prey animals. Yes, they will endure if they have to, but it is very stressful for them. Keep in mind that smell and hearing are their strongest senses and sight their weakest.

If you can, please get them out of the house altogether for the duration or at least move them as far from the hubbub as possible. One of my frailest older piggies died on the day the builders knocked a wall down in our house. That was not a coincidence. She may have lived a little longer otherwise.
I have boarded a trio of older piggies for a local friend of mine for that reason on one occasion.

So sorry about your older piggy. This is what worries me. We are going to have to use the hutch.

 

[Wiebke]

So sorry about your older piggy. This is what worries me. We are going to have to use the hutch.

If you have time, try to get your boys used to it and fit it out with soiled indoors bedding so it smells like their territory right away.

 

[Chettsgenie]

Thanks. Ill make sure I use some bedding and things from their cage. They have both been in it before when they were babies, just not at the same time. Butters was a single piggy because of his behaviour when I got him, then I found out how bad that was and moved him inside just before getting Tweek who was in the hutch for his quarantine period before bonding etc. So fingers crossed it will be okay.

 

[RicoandRocky]

Please DO NOT use scents around guinea pigs - they have a very small respiratory system and a different metabolism to humans. What is fine for us is not necessarily working in the same way for rodents!

Guinea pigs are prey animals. Yes, they will endure if they have to, but it is very stressful for them. Keep in mind that smell and hearing are their strongest senses and sight their weakest.

If you can, please get them out of the house altogether for the duration or at least move them as far from the hubbub as possible. One of my frailest older piggies died on the day the builders knocked a wall down in our house. That was not a coincidence. She may have lived a little longer otherwise.
I have boarded a trio of older piggies for a local friend of mine for that reason on one occasion.

No like lavander the plant cause they can eat it