Ginger And Bird Bell Safety??

[elambo]

[font=Arial]Below are photos of two different bird bells I have inside of my guinea cage. My Ginger (who is 4 weeks old) likes to tug at the inside of both bells, seemingly trying to pull the metal bell ringer off. She loves to play with the bells and popcorn underneath them and make them ring. I really do not want to take the bell ringers out from the bells themselves because then the bells will be silent however, I am concerned she may eventually chew the metal ringer off the inside of the bells, especially since she seems to pull at them so hard. Has anyone ever heard of this happening or do you think guinea pigs are strong enough to tear the metal ringer off the inside of the bells? If so, are there any safer bells to put inside of the cage? I have tried to make my cage as guinea safe as possible. I know a lot of you how bird bells like the ones pictured below, what do you all think and what has been your experience? Thanks!!!![/font]

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[dagwellismypigy]

i think she will be fine

[mncavylover]

I've heard of some piggies choking, yes. I don't know, but I took the bell on my piggies' toy out just to be sure.

[j0yfu1]

What about the paint on the toys? I thought painted wood would not be safe for guinea pigs? I actually had started to pick some of the same type of toy up for my guinea when my husband advised me against it because of the paint. Were we wrong? Thanks.

[Kitfox]

I think bird toys like that usually have some sort of non-toxic stain on the wood (sometimes vegetable or fruit flavored), rather than paint. I've never seen any wood with actual paint on it in any bird or small animal toys. To be safe, you could stick to toys that were made for cavies or rabbits, but I'm pretty sure most of the bird toys are also safe for cavies to chew.

[fudgybananas]

I have one of those bird mirror toys for my cavy too but I've read somewhere that they do (I'm not sure how frequent) manage to take off the metal ringer and choke on it. Best bet is to place it outside your cage if your cavy is a chewer.

[Kitfox]

Oh, with a mirror I definitely agree! I was thinking of the wooden blocks or rings.

[VoodooJoint]

Maybe you could replace the regular bell with a large jingle bell? You know the type that are popular around Christmas time. Craft stores should carry them all year round.

That way it will still ring but there is no clapper to pull off. Make sure you get the large heavy duty type and you may have to squish the openings in the jingle bell closed a bit so she can't get her teeth into it.

If you can't find the jinglebells maybe one of the heavy duty rolling cat spools with a ball inside it will work if you tie it on. Rollers like this http://shop.store.yahoo.com/animalme...e/jiberoe.html

[lilipution1013]

I have similar bells on the bottom of the treat spike I use for them, but it was specifically designed for rodents... and they never really chew on the bell. If it's safe for birds, I would assume it's safe for piglets. But don't quote me on that--I'm no expert.

[Emily F.]

Just to be careful, I would take the little ball thing out of the bell.

[Percy's Mom]

Originally Posted by j0yfu1

What about the paint on the toys? I thought painted wood would not be safe for guinea pigs?

I believe the "paint" on bird/critter toys is usually concentrated vegetable extracts or dyes, making it completely non-toxic.

[Ashley's Gurl]

I have a bird bell for my pig Ginger and she tugs on it alot, but I check it every day just to be sure it won't fall off.

[My Baby Mu]

I tried pulling the things inside out just with my hands like a guinea pig would and I couldn't get them. Y would have to have a really strong and determined pig to get them out. Then of course I tried for less then a minute probably.

[fourbwabbys]

One of my boys bit off the ringing part of the bell. He didn't choke, thankfully, I just found it on the floor the next day. To be safe, I took out the one in the girls' bell too.