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Post by bubbles87 on Jun 27, 2013 6:54:16 GMT
Hi all
Im now the proud owner of 2 approx 9wk old female guinea pigs called Elphaba & Letticia. Dont worry Ive spent time researching them before hand.
Im looking for some advice I bought a 2 tier hutch (width 47inch depth 20inch height 41inch)for them but they have shown no signs of interest in going to the top level I even put a lovely trail of leafy greens, carrots & cucumber up the ramp to try encorage them to venture up, they have went on the ramp took the food but not completely went up. That was with doing it over night so they had peace to explore. I know they havent went right up at the food at the top is still there lol.
Does anyone have any advice on this? Suggestions? Is there a chance they will never want to go up?
Any help or advice will be much appreciated
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Post by lotsofcats on Jun 27, 2013 10:10:22 GMT
Is the ramp quite steep? or even a bit slippery? perhaps they don't feel very safe on it - you could try putting something across it at intervals, perhaps wrap some string around it so that they could get a grip on it. I kept guinea pigs when I was a teenager and they are lovely pets.
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Post by bubbles87 on Jun 27, 2013 10:22:57 GMT
Is the ramp quite steep? or even a bit slippery? perhaps they don't feel very safe on it - you could try putting something across it at intervals, perhaps wrap some string around it so that they could get a grip on it. I kept guinea pigs when I was a teenager and they are lovely pets. Thank you for your reply. Since I posted this they have both went up and explored and seem happy with their new found area. There was ne thinkin I would hav an excuse to get abother 2 as the hutch has a wee door you can shut to make it into 2 homes lol. Think my partner will be relieved. Thanks again |
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Post by SarahHound on Jun 27, 2013 10:31:38 GMT
Most guinea pigs don't like ramps, which is why double storey hutches are not recommended for them. However you have it now, and they've used it, so its OK! One thing, I recommend you put bars on the edges of the ramp, like railings. Many guineas have fallen from ramps and broken limbs/their spine, because they don't have the bounce that rabbits do. Just for safety, would have for anything to happen to your guineas  The other thing is perhaps you could carpet the ramp so its softer on their feet and easier to climb, should prevent them getting sores on their feet. Do you have any photos of them? We'd love to see pics |
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Post by bubbles87 on Jun 27, 2013 10:41:46 GMT
Most guinea pigs don't like ramps, which is why double storey hutches are not recommended for them. However you have it now, and they've used it, so its OK! One thing, I recommend you put bars on the edges of the ramp, like railings. Many guineas have fallen from ramps and broken limbs/their spine, because they don't have the bounce that rabbits do. Just for safety, would have for anything to happen to your guineas The other thing is perhaps you could carpet the ramp so its softer on their feet and easier to climb, should prevent them getting sores on their feet. Do you have any photos of them? We'd love to see pics All support and help is much appreciated especially since these girlies are my first Guinea pigs lol. oh I never came across anything saying 2 tier were a bad idea...there was me thinkong I was doing well providing more space lol. What would you suggest to use as railings? And how high would you recommend? The ramp has grip on it but like the idea of carpet as it wld b softer. Normal carpet? Or special carpet? Oh I had been trying to attach a picture to the original post but couldnt figure out how to lol. I will try again Thanks again |
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Post by bubbles87 on Jun 27, 2013 11:06:04 GMT
Everyone meet Elphaba(left) & Letticia(right) 
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Post by SarahHound on Jun 27, 2013 15:14:40 GMT
Most guinea pigs don't like ramps, which is why double storey hutches are not recommended for them. However you have it now, and they've used it, so its OK! One thing, I recommend you put bars on the edges of the ramp, like railings. Many guineas have fallen from ramps and broken limbs/their spine, because they don't have the bounce that rabbits do. Just for safety, would have for anything to happen to your guineas The other thing is perhaps you could carpet the ramp so its softer on their feet and easier to climb, should prevent them getting sores on their feet. Do you have any photos of them? We'd love to see pics All support and help is much appreciated especially since these girlies are my first Guinea pigs lol. oh I never came across anything saying 2 tier were a bad idea...there was me thinkong I was doing well providing more space lol. What would you suggest to use as railings? And how high would you recommend? The ramp has grip on it but like the idea of carpet as it wld b softer. Normal carpet? Or special carpet? Oh I had been trying to attach a picture to the original post but couldnt figure out how to lol. I will try again Thanks again Well there's conflicting advice about the 2 tier thing, mostly because some pigs just won't use ramps and then it ends up an expensive waste of money, but as your girls are using them, then that's fine As for railings, you could glue some small strips of wood, even an inch high, along the sides, that should help, or C&C cubes like this... www.guineapigcages.com/photos/data/506/medium/Guinea_Pig_Cage_12-07_019.jpgyou don't need to use the cut up pipe As for carpet, well that might get weed on, so I had a rethink and probably something like a fleece tied round the ramp would work well. You can get small pet fleeces from the pound shop, so you don't have to spend a lot I can see the photo of your piggies, they are beautiful!!! My Milo looks similar to Letticia |
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Post by BorderTerrier on Jun 27, 2013 17:10:21 GMT
Hi all Im now the proud owner of 2 approx 9wk old female guinea pigs called Elphaba & Letticia. Dont worry Ive spent time researching them before hand. Im looking for some advice I bought a 2 tier hutch (width 47inch depth 20inch height 41inch)for them but they have shown no signs of interest in going to the top level I even put a lovely trail of leafy greens, carrots & cucumber up the ramp to try encorage them to venture up, they have went on the ramp took the food but not completely went up. That was with doing it over night so they had peace to explore. I know they havent went right up at the food at the top is still there lol. Does anyone have any advice on this? Suggestions? Is there a chance they will never want to go up? Any help or advice will be much appreciated Hi there bubbles87. I am sure when they fully settle into their new home they might explore further. If the ramp is steep then I am not surprised that they don't seem very enthusiastic. Let time do its' thing and see what happens. When you say you are new to being a Guinea Pig owner, this points to the fact that your Guinea Pigs are new!!! (Duh). So give them some time, adjust the ramp, and I wish you good luck and a warm welcome to our forum as I have not seen you around before. |
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Post by BorderTerrier on Jun 27, 2013 17:10:45 GMT
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Post by bubbles87 on Jun 27, 2013 18:40:55 GMT
First of all thank you for the compliment on Elphaba & Letticia. And thank u for welcoming me, your right I am new to this forum lol. Had them both out in the run for first time which was an interesting experience trying to catch them but once in they were brilliant they even wandered about with myself in the run lol. Think I need to take a step back and allow them to settle more, I feel like a kid the nyt before Xmas lol. |
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Post by tonib on Jun 27, 2013 23:39:40 GMT
Welcome to the forum bubbles87 Lovely looking guinea pigs. I'm Toni with 4 rescue cats but no knowledge of guinea pigs so can't add anything to their care but there are other owners on the forum so you should get plenty of advice. glad to hear they are now using the ramp successfully. |
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Post by bubbles87 on Jun 28, 2013 6:53:01 GMT
Welcome to the forum bubbles87 Lovely looking guinea pigs. I'm Toni with 4 rescue cats but no knowledge of guinea pigs so can't add anything to their care but there are other owners on the forum so you should get plenty of advice. glad to hear they are now using the ramp successfully. Thank you Toni for the welcome =) its nice to meet you. Your cats look beautiful. Im hoping when I move eventually to get a cat or 2 as the landlord doesnt allow any pet that isnt in a cage so to speak lol. |
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Post by bubbles87 on Jun 28, 2013 7:10:43 GMT
Sarahound
Ive made my own temp rails out of cardboard just now which I know they are only goin to eat but it will do just now until I can get something more appropriste. Im thinking about using a grassy mat for carpet & a kind of rail depending on how pricey it would be. But I must say Im glad I put the cardboard up as last night Letticia was taking what only I could describe as a "mad half hour" running up & down the ramp lol. It was crazy but so cute/funny to watch.
You dont happen to know any good reliable site on Guinea Pig behaviour like to help understand it? Or even a book?
To everyone
Thank you for the such warm welcome and the friendly advice, I really mean that as Ive been on forums before that have made me feel like I was getting into trouble or like a really evil person for asking questions or doing something wrong lol. So I must say on first impressions I think Im going to like it here
THANK YOU
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Post by SarahHound on Jun 28, 2013 9:43:14 GMT
Well there's 'The Guinea Pig Forum', they are helpful, but be forewarned, they can be a bit know it all there. Otherwise, this site - jackiesguineapiggies.com/ - is one I've gone back to many times over the years |
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Post by bubbles87 on Jun 28, 2013 12:02:09 GMT
Well there's 'The Guinea Pig Forum', they are helpful, but be forewarned, they can be a bit know it all there. Otherwise, this site - jackiesguineapiggies.com/ - is one I've gone back to many times over the years I have came across that site a few times it is very informative. Ive not long read the behaviour part which was interesting but couldnt fully get the answer on one thing I was looking for, Ive noticed when Elphie comes up to Letti's back end she runs away so fast...I cant be sure if Elphie is jst sniffing, nudging or maybe nipping...dont think its biting as they seem happy together any other time but who knows...Im just not sure if this is just friendly play or something different. What do you think? |
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The other thing is perhaps you could carpet the ramp so its softer on their feet and easier to climb, should prevent them getting sores on their feet.
