Chewing on carpet/towels?

**Sierra** · #1 09-13-04, 04:11 pm

I am thinking of getting some guinea pigs in the future, I'm not quite sure though, but I know I definitely need to do the research first. I have only had experience with hamsters (small animal wise anyhow) and from what I have read here on Cavy Cages and on Guinea Lynx they are totally different animals and require totally different care. What I am concerned about (maybe not really a concern at all though, that's why I'm asking you guys) is the guinea pigs chewing on the carpet and towels/blankets/fabric if they were to be put in the cage with the guinea pigs. I know you definitely cannot put these fabric materials in with hamsters because they will chew on the fibers, eat them, and then get sick. Will this not happen with guinea pigs? Or is it something to be concerned about? I am talking about putting carpet on a ramp, using a blanket to cover the floor when allowing the guinea pigs to run around in a room, or when using a towel or other fabric to make a house out of or to drape over a corner of the cage for the guinea pig to explore and hide in. Thanks!

**My Baby Mu** · #2 09-13-04, 07:07 pm

Make sure they don't eat the carpet. Most don't chew fabrics like fleece, but they may chew the towel. I think (I read it on another thread) that it is better to not get the towels that have all the frills on them not sure though. You should ask what kind of towels are best for pigs in the chat section-I think most people visit that section and anwser more questions (63 pages I think it is). Don't do the exact same paragraph or you'll get one deleted.

**Sierra** · #3 09-13-04, 07:16 pm

Okay, what would happen if they did eat the carpet? Would it just be better off if I didn't put in any at all? Or if I gave lots of hay would it be more likely they wouldn't eat the carpet?

**My Baby Mu** · #4 09-13-04, 07:47 pm

I'mnot wure what would happen if they ate the carpet or if you put more hay in the cage if they were more likely to not eat the carpet. You would need to ask someone else.

**Treen** · #5 09-14-04, 06:31 am

Carpet isn't a good bedding as it's not very absorbant and it can't be washed easily. If they ingested a piece of carpet (and most have foam/ rubber backings too), it could cause a fatal blockage in their intestines. It's not so much an issue when they're roaming about the house as all the edges are tucked away. But in a cage I think it would just be too tempting and I wouldn't use it. Unfortunately you can put all the hay in you like, but if there's an edge asking to be nibbled, they'll go straight to that!

**Sierra** · #6 09-14-04, 10:18 am

So what would you recommend for covering ramps? I could make the ramp just out of coroplast, and make it at a small enough angle that it wouldn't be too steep, but wouldn't you need something covering it? That is what I was thinking of using the carpet for.

**Treen** · #7 09-15-04, 06:15 am

For a small area like a ramp where they probably won't be hanging around and toiletting, some types of carpet may be okay provided you can cover the edges so they're out of chewing reach.

But have a look at this gallery - quite a few ideas for ramps and you can see what other people use to cover them http://www.cavycages.com/photos/show...=509&password=.

**GuineasGalore** · #8 09-20-04, 09:18 am

could you cover a ramp in a sock?

**Sierra** · #9 09-20-04, 10:30 am

Okay, I can cover the edges of the carpet, what do you suggest covering the edges with? Also, I can try weaving hay in and out of the bars for a bit of fun,

.

**mncavylover** · #10 09-20-04, 09:01 pm

Hay-weaving is great fun! A sock, GuineasGalore? I think I lost you there, sorry. I don't think you can fit one around a grid. =) Sorry if I have your idea wrong.

**cinn&sprinslave** · #11 11-01-04, 10:21 am

I just put some carpet on one of my ramps, should I take it off?

And what about adding some industrial squares of carpet on my upper levels is that ok?

**My Baby Mu** · #12 11-01-04, 03:54 pm

No it would be fine if they don't chew on it. Just make sure they don't chew on it and it will be fine.

**Sierra** · #13 11-02-04, 09:39 pm

How do you clean it though?

**cinn&sprinslave** · #14 11-03-04, 01:23 am

I have a small portable carpet shampooer. So *if* they pee on the carpets on the ramps I will just use the shampooer. But if they pee on the carpets on the second levels then I will just wash them outside with a hose and dish soap.

**Sierra** · #15 11-03-04, 07:31 am

How long does it take carpet to dry?

**cinn&sprinslave** · #16 11-03-04, 10:15 am

A couple hours out in the sun. If it is raining I will just throw them in the dryer(I get to use the washer and dryer now a little bit more than before). Be sure to squeeze them out well so you get a lot of the water out. You could clean the carpet while the piggie have floor time or something.

**endzie** · #17 12-23-04, 02:48 am

Im glad I wasnt kept in suspense, and I was able to find out the outcome.

**John4216** · #18 12-23-04, 11:25 am

My piggies have an entire room for their free range playtime (3 hours or more) and it is carpeted and I have towels in a few spots. They tasted the towels and carpet and did not chew on either. The nice thing is they only make a mess on the towels and do not go anywhere else in the room. As for the ramp, my ramp is only coroplast but the angle is very slight and the second level sits on top of the bottom cage so its only that high and they have no trouble at all on it.

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