Animal Proofing: Cat and pigs

[wiscgirl]

Hi all,

I have four female guinea pigs, all adult, who live in two stacked 2X4 C and C cages. (The two pairs of girls do not get along). I love them and the cages have been sturdy and reliable.

However, I've been thinking of adopting a cat, and I was wondering what your experiences have been with cat-proofing the cages, (I think buying those shelves from Target would work best for me), and especially on how pigs and cats get along. I know this depends on the animals, but I worry about the cat constantly terrorizing the girls--they are skittish to begin with. Is this an arrangement that can work?

Thanks for any feedback.

[xoLauraox09]

Have a look at these pictures : Cat/Dog Proofing - Guinea Pig Cage Photos
=)

[JD In Van]

Cats should not ever be able to get within claws reach of the cavies even if they seem to get on well. A sudden move or noise and those claws (which carry bacteria that specifically causes rapid on set infections) go out and that's the end of piggie.

[Heady]

I have 3 cats and two pigs. Really, only one of the cats shows interest in the pigs and he's the one I trust least out of all of them. We took him in as a stray and for the first several months of his life, he lived outdoors, fending for himself. I took him in before I got the pigs.

One thing I find that helps is raising the cage off the floor. I don't use grids to raise it, I just took apart a plastic shelf I got from Wal Mart and used each shelf plus legs to raise it. I had to borrow legs from another shelf (the same kind) because there were 4 shelves.

I also have a 6 inch high barrier going around the cage to not only keep the poop in but to also keep kitty paws out. In order for the cat to look in the cage, he has to stand on his back feet and is barely able to see above the barrier.

I made a topper for the cage that I put on at bedtime and it's made out of foam core and cardboard. It's a solid topper so paws can't reach down into the cage. As much as Gabriel would like to get in the cage, he can't. During the day, the top is removed, but that's because I'm home all day. Otherwise, it wouldn't be. And if we leave to go out during the day, the top is put on.

Something else that helps is any time he shows interest in what the pigs are doing in the cage by standing up to look in or getting ready to stand up, he gets squirted with water with a very firm "NO". He's starting to learn that he is not allowed to be interested.

During play time (floor time) for the pigs, I take them in the art room since that's where they have the most room to run around, and sometimes the cats are allowed in and sometimes not. My other two cats (who have always been indoor cats) really don't care about the pigs. Dora is more interested in snuggling up with me during the pigs' play time because I lay on the floor with them. They'll come over and everyone will touch noses, but then Dora will turn to me and ram her face into mine to get some lovings. Lucy can't be bothered, although she was raised as a kitten around small animals, so they're more like buddies than prey. Gabriel is allowed in and for the most part he's well behaved. He'll sit with the piggies and eat hay with them. Sometimes, though, his body shows stalking behavior and the second that starts, he's out the door. He's not even allowed to do stalking behavior with Dora because since we allowed him to come into our home, he was aggressive with her (although neutering REALLY worked wonders for that...it doesn't happen anymore).

The cats all know what they are and aren't allowed to do and Gabriel is still learning. I wouldn't trust him or the others for a SECOND alone with the pigs. No way. Granted, the other cats are well behaved around the pigs, but I don't care. There's no way they'll ever be allowed to be together alone.

[leyley904]

I have 6 cats and none show interest in my rabbits. But, as you said, it all depends on the animals. Heady had some great advice on cat proofing, so I would do that. When you get your cat, make sure you get a very low key one. Its 100% up to you, but it might be better to get an older cat, so you can see their personality better. But, then again, you could make a kitten grow up accustom to a pig..... Well, I still would consider rescuing a full grown, low key, cat. Good luck!