cage with ramp

[custard]

I got a cage for our pig that has a ramp, but the pig is only like 2&1/2 years old so I haven't put the ramp down yet. Do you think it is ok he is getting bigger so I wanted him to get the exercise.

[steve_and_pigs]

Do you mean 2 1/2 months old? 2 1/2 years is a full grown adult piggie and then some.

What kind of cage/ramp is it?

[custard]

The pig is 2 and 1/2 months not years sorry!

[custard]

the cage is metal it was one that I got from Walmart

[steve_and_pigs]

You probably want to read the general info about cages and cage size. Also read about social life on Index of /. Most store bought cages are not very good for piggies.

Pigs have bad depth perception, so they can't judge heights very well. If you have any ramps or open edges, the sides should be walled/blocked so that your piggie does not fall off. They don't do well with falling or climbing. Their legs are too short. Slick ramps are also bad. They need decent traction or they just slip around and slide off.

If it is like one of those ferret cages, wth levels and ramps on the inside that have all open edges
At 2 1/2 months, he should be fine for general exercise. They are born practically ready to go. Just made sure there is nothing bad around that he may try to eat or chew on.

If the ramp leads out of the cage, he will do his business outside his cage.
They can be house trained for pee to some degree, but not as much for poop.

[custard]

Do you have any ideas what I could use for a rail on the open edge? I really can't seem to think of anything that he wouldn't chew on!

[steve_and_pigs]

How high are the levels? How many levels are there? Is the floor and levels solid, or are they made out of wire? Is the ramp wire?

What kind of bedding are you using?

I ask because most store bought cages are not good for guinea pigs. Wire bottoms, levels, and ramps will hurt their feet. Steep plastic ramps are usually too short and slippery. Very few of the store cages are of adequate size, if any.

It is usually better to build a new c&c cage or similar then to try and fix up a store bought one.


Another option is to replace the ramp with a tunnel. For borders, plain cardboard often works as a temporary solution. Coroplast is a good material for making all sorts of trays and sides.

Check out the ramps gallery for ideas. There are a lot of pictures.

http://www.guineapigcages.com/photos...ry.php/cat/509

[custard]

The cage bottom is a plastic tray for removing to clean the ramp is metal with very small squares and that is also the floor of the next level . It only has 2 levels. I was going to ask where do you get the coroplast stuff anyway. If I was to use cardboard for the ramp what do I use to attach it that the piggie won't try to eat?

[steve_and_pigs]

For both cardboard and coroplast, zip ties work well. Punch holes in your material and zip tie things together. You can probably use the sides of the cage as something to tie to in addition to the ramp and second level.

Fleece can be cut to any shape with scissors. Cover the ramp and second level with some fleece. You can get some small baby fleece blankets at places like walgreens for $1 or two. Wash it weekly.

Use plain cardboard. He will probably chew it some, but he most likely he won't eat it like candy.

If your cage is small, you need to let the little guy out every day to exercise. There is probably no room for him to run laps. At that age they usually like to run dash-like sprints in a circle or a figure 8.

coroplast can be found at sign and plastic stores. Grids for making a c&c cages and play pens can be found at target.