Coroplast Sebastian is a chewer! - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Peggysu** · #1 10-30-09, 12:28 pm

So when I made Sebastian's cage I kind of threw it together and made the sides of coroplast only 3 inches high. It's not bad with keeping poops out, but Sebastian has chewed the sides really bad. In the front it's just jagged, but in the back it's got holes and huge chunks missing.

Every morning when I clean his cage I always sweep up pieces of coroplast with his poops. He literally pulls it off and leaves it and begins on a new piece.

I believe this is done because he's a single pig and is bored. He has a huge hay rack, so lack of hay isn't an issue here.

Has anyone had this? What was used to discourage chewing? I'm thinking about making a new bottom with at least 6 inch sides. Would this possibly be effective?

I know the biggest factor will be when he has a buddy. That won't be for a little while because he's sick and the new guy is in quarantine for another week and a half.

**bamby71994** · #2 10-30-09, 01:28 pm

Does he have anything else to chew on, in his cage?

**Ly&Pigs** · #3 10-30-09, 01:29 pm

Even when I had a herd, they chewed the coroplast. He most likely is doing it out of boredom. I've found that even with 6" sides, they could still reach it to chew it. The last 2 remodels I did, I made 10" sides to keep hay in the cage and also found it helps with chewing the coroplast as they can no longer reach it to chew it.

You could use binder splines on the coroplast when you redo the cage to discourage chewing. I've heard it works although I've never tried it myself.

Tdchewy · #4 10-30-09, 01:49 pm

When I built my C&C cage, I put the cage inside of the coroplast so they cant even reach the coroplast because the grids are in between them and the coroplast. This allows for much shorter coroplast walls and higher visibility of the piggies. Just a thought

**JD In Van** · #5 10-30-09, 01:58 pm

Could you duct tape over the edges?

**lissie** · #6 10-30-09, 02:36 pm

How about making a fleece bedspread that covers all the sides? Hope he will not chew on the fleece.

**Tessa Bea** · #7 10-30-09, 02:51 pm

Does he have anything else to chew on? I've found that cardboard toys are super useful as they provide entertainment and another texture to munch. Also, I agree with Lissie- does your fleece go over the sides? That may help to discourage him if you can pull it over and tack it down.

**akstrohm** · #8 10-30-09, 03:51 pm

He will be able to chew the duct tape pretty easily so that won't help. Binder splines or fleece should do the trick though. Hopefully getting him a friend will help!

**Peggysu** · #9 10-30-09, 04:01 pm

When I redo the coroplast I think I'm going to go with 10 inch sides. He will have a buddy at that point so hopefully both of those will discourage chewing. I give him toilet paper rolls filled with hay, he doesn't chew the toilet paper roll at all. He seems to really enjoy the coroplast for whatever reason.

**Tessa Bea** · #10 10-30-09, 04:04 pm

Mine won't chew the toilet paper tubes either, I have a hidey that is a repurposed corrugated cardboard box and it seems to do the trick. Each pig is different, though.

I also agree with Akstrohm that the duct tape doesn't sound like a very safe idea.

**MissFormosa** · #11 10-31-09, 09:43 pm

Byron ate some coroplast. It looked like a human took a bite out of it! We rubbed straight vinegar on it and that seemed to discourage him. After a while, he gave up. A couple of them still chew the grids though, even with the vinegar - so maybe it just depends on the pig.

**vicky2** · #12 11-01-09, 06:48 am

If you spray bitter apple on the coroplast, would it be safe for the pigs?

**Peggysu** · #13 11-01-09, 10:50 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicky2

If you spray bitter apple on the coroplast, would it be safe for the pigs?

I think I've seen suggestions about this in the past.

**angiekay** · #14 11-01-09, 11:20 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissFormosa

Byron ate some coroplast. It looked like a human took a bite out of it! We rubbed straight vinegar on it and that seemed to discourage him. After a while, he gave up. A couple of them still chew the grids though, even with the vinegar - so maybe it just depends on the pig.

Mine still chew on the grids from time to time too! It was alot worse with Pepe though before I got the babies as cagemates for him, thank goodness!

**vicky2** · #15 11-01-09, 01:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peggysu

I think I've seen suggestions about this in the past.

Me too, but I'm not sure if it's safe.

**leyley904** · #16 11-01-09, 01:55 pm

Someone already mentioned this, but why not put the coroplast on the outside of the grids? If you have 10 inch sides it will be more difficult to see your cute piggies and their adorable antics! And they wouldn't be able to see out at all. Imagine, just looking at your walls all day with no windows or anything. If you do put 10 inch walls, you should at least draw some pretty pictures on the inside for them to look at.... just kidding!

**Peggysu** · #17 11-01-09, 02:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by leyley904

Someone already mentioned this, but why not put the coroplast on the outside of the grids?

That would be a little on the gross side because I use the connectors on that cage. I can see the smushed poop now.

"Thank you, Ly&Pigs, for this useful post," say these 2 members:
barbanderson (10-30-09), Peggysu (10-30-09)

"Thank you, MissFormosa, for this useful post," say these 2 members:
leyley904 (11-01-09), xoLauraox09 (11-01-09)