walks - Page 2

zippysmom · #21 10-29-06, 12:08 am

I take my guinea pig for walks all the time in the summer! He is eating grass and hiding behind trees. He doesn't move too much. Be absolutely sure that he cannot escape. Mine has a jumper he gets into so he can't escape. If it is just a leash made with rope, he may get loose. It is also very enjoyable for you, because everybody comes up and says "oh, what a cutie!" and stuff.

**Percy's Mom** · #22 10-29-06, 01:27 am

Any sort of leash, with or without a jumper or harness can be extremely dangerous for a guinea pig. If he gets scared or startled or even just steps wrong, a cavy could easily twist or jump and end up injuring, possibly breaking, his back. A guinea pig's spine is just flexible enough to safely use a leash consistently. The same also goes for wheels and balls. It's best not to use any of them. If you want to take your pig outside, build some sort of a fenced in play area that he can run around in unemcumbered by a leash or any restraint while you stand or sit by to supervise.

zippysmom · #23 10-29-06, 09:44 am

I don't have a backyard.

**Percy's Mom** · #24 10-29-06, 10:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Percy's Mom

A guinea pig's spine is just flexible enough to safely use a leash consistently.

Just for the record, this should have said that a guinea pig's spine is NOT flexible enough to safely use a leash. If there is not a secure place to set up a fenced in area for your pig to run around without a leash, it's probably best to not have them playing outdoors.

zippysmom · #25 10-30-06, 07:23 pm

But my guinea pig doesn't have any problems, and I take him out a lot in the summer.

**fourbwabbys** · #26 10-30-06, 07:29 pm

Quote:

But my guinea pig doesn't have any problems

Yet. All it takes is one time. And you will regret it, both emotionally and financially when your pig ends up breaking his back and needing thousands of dollars in vet bills to repair it, if he ends up making it.

**standuprookie** · #27 10-30-06, 07:33 pm

If your guinea pig were to run or jump and then get yanked by the leash they would break their back. Guinea Pigs spines DON'T bend very far so you should NEVER use leashes, wheels, or exercise balls.

zippysmom · #28 10-31-06, 09:04 am

Okay, okay, it's winter and their is 10 cm of snow on the ground. I won't take him out till summer, and by then I will have a back yard.

**piggy-lover** · #29 10-31-06, 10:26 pm

I had one of those harnesses for my guinea pig and rabbit when i was younger. First of all, they don't work my guinea pig and rabbit move at their own speed and not how you want them to. And now I saw that they're dangerous, so I wouldn't get one. I wish I would of know that then.

**pamziaw** · #30 11-01-06, 01:47 pm

A harness can seriously injure your piggies back, they are different from humans and their spines weren't designed to bend that way. If you absulutly must take them outside then a secure run with constant supervision is your best bet. Really they don't need to go outside at all at the environments they need can be fully provided by a 2x4 C&C, lap time and floor time. Please don't use a harness, its russian roulette with your pigs health.

**fourbwabbys** · #31 11-01-06, 02:16 pm

Just ask my Trixie. I almost lost him forever. When we first got them, I bought a leash. He slipped right out. It took me 10 minutes to catch him, they are VERY fast, especially in an open area like my backyard. Ever since then, I threw it out.

**Slave to the Wheek** · #32 11-01-06, 03:30 pm

My best friend learned the hard way. She used a leash on her rabbit. One day a dog ran up to her, the rabbit jumped, snapped it's back in half and died instantly.

That rabbit was her best friend. She was not only devastated at the death but at the fact that it was her fault. When I got guinea pigs I said.."I think I'll get one of those leashes they make and take him for walks"

She just about tore me a new one and told me her own story. The tears in her eyes told me to learn from her mistake.

zippysmom- you are doing so well with your piggies and learning a lot. please listen to everyone on this subject. If you want to take him for a walk carry him and then lay a playpen out for him to play in the area.

Play pens are SUPER easy to make. My 7 year old nephew helped me make mine. You just take cage grids and cable tie them together. If you want some help just PM me.

zippysmom · #33 11-01-06, 06:40 pm

You are all very informed owners and you are absolutely correct.

**Jenni_Feathers** · #34 06-06-07, 04:31 pm

Do Not Listen To Anything You Hear At A Pet Store!!!!! ecspecially When It Comes To Guinea Pigs!!!!!!!

**Jenni_Feathers** · #35 06-06-07, 04:33 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slave to the Wheek

My best friend learned the hard way. She used a leash on her rabbit. One day a dog ran up to her, the rabbit jumped, snapped it's back in half and died instantly.

That rabbit was her best friend. She was not only devastated at the death but at the fact that it was her fault. When I got guinea pigs I said.."I think I'll get one of those leashes they make and take him for walks"

She just about tore me a new one and told me her own story. The tears in her eyes told me to learn from her mistake.

zippysmom- you are doing so well with your piggies and learning a lot. please listen to everyone on this subject. If you want to take him for a walk carry him and then lay a playpen out for him to play in the area.

Play pens are SUPER easy to make. My 7 year old nephew helped me make mine. You just take cage grids and cable tie them together. If you want some help just PM me.

The same thing happened to a friend of mine except with a guinea pig!!!
RIP:Stella

Thank you Percy's Mom, for this useful post, say these 2 members:
Jennicat (10-31-06), PiggieMom (10-29-06)

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