Are ramps safe

[Sticky Mann]

I have a ramp going up the centre of Artemis' cage. She never wants to go down it and whenever she goes up she walks right next to the edge and sort of looks down. Then she doesn't move and I have to pick her up and put her on the top floor. Will she ever walk off?

[Mommy Of One]

I think you should add railings to the ramp so she feels more secure.
And if it is a new addition to the cage she will very likely just take her time and adjust.

[catzeye21138]

How steep is the ramp? You want to make it a gentle enough slope so that she can feel more comfortable walking up and down it. If you maybe bend two grids in half and zip tie them together that would make a great ramp. (plus carpeting/traction of course)
Also you should probably make a barrier where she is "looking off". We don't want her to jump from the level and hurt her little legs. ^^

Linds

[JarBax]

I am wondering a few things. Hiow long have you had your piggy in this cage, and how long have you been trying to encourage her back down the ramp? What is your present ramp made from, what is it lined with, does it have sides and how steep is it? Do you have a picture of it?

To make your ramp feel more secure for your piggy, I suggest (like others) ensuring the sides are high, and the slope is slight. Make sure it is steady, and there is no movement when she walks on it. Have you tried the trail of veggies trick? You could always try making it into a tunnel - using cardboard over the top, as a temporary tempter! Perhaps moving it to one side of the cage would help steady it/make your piggy feel more secure? If she is upstairs, have you tried putting her veggies downstairs so she is tempted to come down?

Whilst my pigs all love their ramp, i hear of some pigs who never get the hang of it. It is well worth persevering though - keep trying! (and maybe a friend pig would help her feel braver too! )