Chewing

**XxCavyCrazyxX** · #1 05-03-07, 12:41 pm

I am worried thatwhen using chloroplast, the pigs will chew on the edge and eat the plastic. Does anyone know if this is a common habit or of a product that can prevent this? (Preferably something easy to get and of course, cheap!) I love the C&C idea and already have my cubes but the Chloroplast has me worried...

**heatherbunnie** · #2 05-04-07, 09:15 am

I've never seen my pigs chewing on the plastic, and I haven't heard of any problems with it before. As long as they've got enough hay to munch on they probably won't even think about it.

**TX_2_Pigs** · #3 05-04-07, 10:08 am

My boys have never chewed on the coroplast. Although Harry has taken to chewing on the inside of his pigloo lately. I wouldn't worry about it too much but if they do you can always use some of those report cover spines and put over the edge. I found these C-Line 34227: Slide-'n-Grip Binding Bars | OfficeWorld.com.

Partera · #4 05-04-07, 11:50 am

Granted my pig is pretty new but while he has chewed everything else chewable in his cage he has not touched the coroplast.

Nibbler · #5 05-09-07, 06:14 am

I set up my cage about a week ago and Nibbler has chewed about an inch down and an inch and a half wide spot on one side. Granted he is a very chewy guinea pig, he always chews everything he is not suppose to and most things that I give him he ignores. I did give him a corrugated cardboard box to chew on in the cage, and he is staying occupied with that now. Basically if you give them other things to occupy themselves with they wont chew on it as much. He also does it when he wants me to look at him, he is mischievous like that.

**cooly291** · #6 07-16-07, 12:26 am

I know this is old, but it beats a new thread..

I just noticed one of my pigs chewing it as well, so is it okay?

**CavyLover94** · #7 07-16-07, 09:06 am

My boys don't really chew on it but Chester does like his Pigloo. I'd say that if your pig doesn't chew the chloroplast very much then it's fine.

**Pigs N Blankets** · #8 10-06-07, 01:23 pm

Sorry about posting so late, I just set up my C & C cage and one of my guinea pigs is chewing on the coroplast as well. It wouldn't be such a problem but they are right next to my bed (no where else to put it). It can be very loud and annoying at night. Is there anything I can put on the edges to make him stop? I was thinking like that baby stuff to make them stop sucking thumb/chewing nails. But, I don't want to do that if it could endanger my pigs. oh and also, he has tons of other stuff to chew on so it couldn't be that.

**Raisintosser** · #9 10-06-07, 01:31 pm

My piggies are only 8 months old and losve to chew on the ramp, cage and coroplast. The only area of coroplast they chew is the one that is only 2 inches in height. The rest of the sides are all at least 6-8 inches high and they don't bother with it. I am going to replace the other section of coroplast with a higher edge.

**pigsforlife** · #10 10-06-07, 05:13 pm

What happens if you put apple cidar on the sides? I think that is what people have used before but can not be 100% sure. I know that at ACS (Australian Cavy Sanctuary) the edges of their corflute is a bit chewed. I honestly dont see the problem with this though.

Guinea pigs need to chew to file their teeth down, thus why it is important to supply an unlimited amount of hay. Untreated branches are also a good idea.

**babybunny** · #11 10-07-07, 04:27 am

If you place the cubes inside the Coroplast, would that prevent them from being able to chew on it?

**pigsforlife** · #12 10-07-07, 05:03 am

Actually, that is a good idea, although then you have to question the stability of the unit and whether or not it would be as stable. Plus you have the added problem of muck getting caught amongst the grids etc etc

If possible I would try and keep the corflute in the inside (It would just make it cleaner and generally safer in my opinion), with the grids on the outside and perhaps wipe the corflute down with apple cidar (correct me if I am wrong), maybe a diluted form would be better *thinking*..

PigletMom · #13 10-11-07, 06:23 pm

I worried about the same thing, but saw so many pix and no comments about chewing the coroplast, so away I went. However!!! Today I saw at least three spots where my piglets have been chewing after only a week in their new cage. I too, have plenty of other chewing items available to them, so that is not the problem. I am going to check out the report binders, that is a great idea and here's hoping that they won't be able to get a grip on the edges of the binders and chew them up.

As for plastic making them sick, on one occasion I lost my tupperware scoop that I used for their pellets and didn't have a clue what happened to it until cage cleaning day when I found bits and pieces of plastic all through their bedding. CSI could have had a field day with the evidence! In any case, they seemed to have survived it and it has been over a month ago it happened. I am, of course, being more careful as to what comes in their reach.

Thanks,
Michelle

Carmel · #14 10-12-07, 05:27 pm

Hi, I have five guinea pigs in 3 different C&C cages and they all are starting to chew the edges of the coroplast. I have given them untreated twigs to chew on and wood log caves to gnaw on but they also chew the coroplast.
My husband suggested getting the automotive wheel well flexable moulding at our local Canadian Tire store . It is fairly inexpensive and has a self adhesive strip. I got a 18 foot roll of this stuff and cut it to size around the edges of their cages. I just did this today so I will have to wait and see if it works. It is smooth and shiny and I don't think they will be able to gnaw on it. Anyway, I also don't think it will be harmful to my piggies. I will be watching to see the results.
Carmel

guineacat · #15 11-07-07, 12:15 am

My 2 boars chew everything even the tape i used on their cage. One managed to get hold of the wallpaper and has been merrily ripping that off as well. They also eat the towels in the cage and the vetbed and the blankets. Its really strange have kept a lot of guineas but the only ones to do this are these boys and their mum must be genetic!!!

**dufay** · #16 11-07-07, 05:29 am

One of my older females just started chewing the cage- she made 2 big dents, and seems to be fine. I am NOT- the cage is on the floor above our bedroom and the little banging from the chewing is extremely annoying at 3 am. I thought these were not nocturnal animals. Bitter apple helps a little, but I'm going to try the binders and throw some more hay in at night. I don't know why she just started doing this- senility? Boredom? Plenty of other stuff to chew.

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