Alternative for 'out of cage' time

[CelticStar]

I have discovered over the past few days that no matter how I try, there are simply to many places the Shaggy can get into trouble in my small apartment. I have tried to piggy proof the rooms, but there are several places that no matter what I do he will still be able to get into trouble.

My husband suggested that I get something like a play-pen that would be used for a toddler to set up for Shaggy when he comes out of the cage. Right now Shaggy is in a cage that is much too small for him, but I am in the process of finding the materials to make him a C&C cage. DO you think something like a childs play pen would be safe to let him run around in just to have some "safe space" to run in. I am not sure if he would try to chew the sides or not.

If you have any other suggestion of what I could I would welcome the help. Thanks!

[bpatters]

The photo gallery has a lot of ideas for floor-time pens. Take a look at these.

I'm not sure how a play pen would work -- depends on what the sides are made of. I don't think I'd put him in one with net sides for fear of him getting his nails and teeth caught in it.

[akstrohm]

Yes, as long as it is big enough and safe, play pens are fine. You can also use binder clips to clip grids together to make a play pen. You might want to consider keeping him in the play pen 24/7 until you can make a bigger cage too.

[Duffinvt]

If you get the grids we all use for a C&C cage, they can be zip tied together, leaving one last one open. Then they can be put out in any kind of shape and then put away accordian style. Works great and you can put shower curtain or plastic tablecloth under it with fleece over that.

Do not let them out where they can get in trouble. My granddaughter did not secure the grid-fence at Christmas and I found the guinea pigs roaming a part of the room they were not supposed to have access to. Last week our phones did not work and we discovered the pigs had apparently gone behind the couch and chewed the phone wires. Oh my gosh, they could have been electrocuted. I now have the fence tied to structures at the ends so they cannot push it open.

[bpatters]

Duff, somewhere online there's a very funny, if terrifying, picture of a guinea pig that chewed an electrical wire and got his whiskers frizzled. I've looked for it several times since I first saw it, and can't find it again. But he's the poster child for trying to keep them away from wires that can be chewed.

[Fudgenrolo]

I have a ((( Puppy Playpen ))) that I sometimes use for my piggies - especially when I'm cleaning them out and can't keep a close eye on them free-ranging in the pet room.

It folds up flat but gives them a good space to play in - there are several different versions available in various heights and sizes. I love it.

[Sugar&Ellie]

I have a puppy play pen that I use to block off under my bed for free range time. It folds up and is easily stored under my bed.

It can also form a circle, square or any circle you need it to form. I bought mine at Petsmart.