(I tried to make this as organized as possible. I'm an extreme rambler, and I thought for everyone's time and sanity this would be the easiest way to convey my questions and such)
Questions:
Background:
I will be taking care of a guinea pig at my High School for this summer. I've taken care of my homeroom/marine biology/biology teacher's guinea pig(s) for three years now, and Bob is the second one I've cared for. He's the sweetest big boy, and adorable to boot. He's all black--black fur, black eyes, black footsies, black ears--and has a perfect "poof" of soft fur all around. He's ridiculously social and calm, and really good with anyone picking him up...but he does get VERY vocal if he doesn't get his lettuce. Some days I can hear his wheeking his head off from accross the room if I forget haha.
And while other people do love him and pet him and adore him (I think second period even nicknamed him "Bernard" or "Bobby") but I'm the one who gets down and dirty taking care of him. I completely clean his cage once a week (with carefresh bedding mind you), replace his water every other day and top it off daily, top off his hay rack with fresh orchard grass or timothy hay every day (my boyfriend's mother breeds miniature donkies so grass hay is in no shortage), fill up his food bowl with oxbow pellet food, bring him a cup of vegatables daily (mainly lettuce. He gets VERY VOCAL if he doesn't get his lettuce!!!), and hold and pet him whenever I can. The only trouble is his cage is way too small...luckily I did my research, saved up my money, got almost straight A's (and a B), and my mom has approved me taking him over the summer! I found almost all the materials I need to make him his cage upgrade but I still have these questions.
(OH! And AFTER summer I WILL be able to use the same C&C cage I will be making in school, as Bob's current cage is on a large table big enough to accomodate his new cage and then some! So that is not an issue. And as said both the teacher and my parents are already aware of my intentions and have already agreed, plus I will be paying for the whole deal so its easy on their pockets as well. )
Please respond if you may, and thank you in advance!
Questions:
- How can I cat proof a C&C cage? I understand I can make a cover, and I may do so out of a cubes panel and (broken link removed) combo, but how catproof is that? Is the weight of a closet shelf enough, or is it possible to add clips? (we have three cats that are all indoor and declawed in the front, but I'm taking no chances)
- Where can I get coroplast or a coroplast-like substitute? We live in Pennsylvania, in the little wedge close to Maryland and Delaware but I haven't found a place near to us that sells it. Ideally we wouldn't have to go farther than an hour, and even then that's extreme. Delaware is fine, Maryland is not ideal but possible, and somewhere around Chester County PA is ideal. I don't think online shipping is an option, and there IS actually a proper sign shop in town but I have not been there and they primarily do wooden signs, banners, truck/car/bus painting, etc. and possibly yard sale signs but I'm not sure if its worth trying there...its more of the graphic design and logo end of signs, not so much as "I'll slap some letters on some plastic and call it a day". Their work is nice, but I'm not sure if they'll have what I need. And if they do, what's a reasonable price to shoot for?
- Is it necessary to use a (broken link removed) when using a closet shelf cover or any kind of cover? It seems like the lip on the shelf and if the back portion and the sides that are not part of the shelf cover is zip-tied it might be okay, but is it still worth using a support rod?
Background:
I will be taking care of a guinea pig at my High School for this summer. I've taken care of my homeroom/marine biology/biology teacher's guinea pig(s) for three years now, and Bob is the second one I've cared for. He's the sweetest big boy, and adorable to boot. He's all black--black fur, black eyes, black footsies, black ears--and has a perfect "poof" of soft fur all around. He's ridiculously social and calm, and really good with anyone picking him up...but he does get VERY vocal if he doesn't get his lettuce. Some days I can hear his wheeking his head off from accross the room if I forget haha.
And while other people do love him and pet him and adore him (I think second period even nicknamed him "Bernard" or "Bobby") but I'm the one who gets down and dirty taking care of him. I completely clean his cage once a week (with carefresh bedding mind you), replace his water every other day and top it off daily, top off his hay rack with fresh orchard grass or timothy hay every day (my boyfriend's mother breeds miniature donkies so grass hay is in no shortage), fill up his food bowl with oxbow pellet food, bring him a cup of vegatables daily (mainly lettuce. He gets VERY VOCAL if he doesn't get his lettuce!!!), and hold and pet him whenever I can. The only trouble is his cage is way too small...luckily I did my research, saved up my money, got almost straight A's (and a B), and my mom has approved me taking him over the summer! I found almost all the materials I need to make him his cage upgrade but I still have these questions.
(OH! And AFTER summer I WILL be able to use the same C&C cage I will be making in school, as Bob's current cage is on a large table big enough to accomodate his new cage and then some! So that is not an issue. And as said both the teacher and my parents are already aware of my intentions and have already agreed, plus I will be paying for the whole deal so its easy on their pockets as well. )
Please respond if you may, and thank you in advance!