Cage Can you extend a store cage?

[Rach84]

I have the largest indoor cage I could find in a UK pet store for my 2 pigs and was wondering if anyone had any ideas of how to extend it for them? I do make them up play pens for when they have floor time but as I have dogs living downstairs I like to know my piggies are locked up safe upstairs when I am at work!

I was going to post a picture of my cage but wasn't sure if that was aloud as it is from a store?

 

[ButtersandMimsy]

Hey =) I have a large store bought cage for my guineas, I've placed it in a C&C cage, so that they still have their cage with sawdust, but have extra space to run around. The C&C cage is 2x4 grids so its a perfect fit for sitting the end of my double bed. I leave the cage open all day so they can just jump over the side of the cage when they want to (they started just jumping over the side when I'd clean the cage etc as they're quite adventurous, and I realised it works well. I used to place an overturned container with fleece over it to be used as a step, but they didn't need it), and then I usually close the cage at night if there are lots of things out to chew, as they live in my room and my guineas will stay awake for hours! Its good for when I'm cleaning the C&C cage and need somewhere safe to put them too. I can send you a picture if you like =) And I'm sure its fine to post a picture of your guinea cage, don't worry =)

 

[YourSoJelly]

You can also have a bridge coming from a fully build pet store cage to a C&C. Something like this:

 

[CanadianComforts]

Yes you can. Some add a C&C to it, others used it as a loft area and lastly some use it as a kitchen area (kind on the same level of adding a C&C to it).

 

[madelineelaine]

@ButtersandMimsy

Sawdust is an AWFUL bedding to use.

I would connect a c and c cage to your store bought one and maybe use the store bought one as a kitchen.

 

[Amy262]

I actually just did this today. I added the store bought cage to the end of our C&C cage. The bottom floor is 2x3, but now is the equivalent of 2x4 with the store bought cage attached. I'm using the store bought cage as the kitchen area. So far, so good!!

 

[aeiou]

I'm going to use my store bought cage as a kitchen once my lil piggie comes out of quarantine!

 

[Lishar]

I expanded my non C&C by adding 2 more store cages to it! He has sort of rooms in his cage now..

 

[Rach84]

I expanded my non C&C by adding 2 more store cages to it! He has sort of rooms in his cage now..

That sounds cool ~ do you have a picture? xx

 

[ButtersandMimsy]

Ah thanks @madelineelaine, I'll try that! Sawdust does get everywhere, and I'm wondering if it irritates the piggies at all. I'm sure they'd love loads of hay instead=)

 

[Iklepink]

I expanded my non C&C by adding 2 more store cages to it! He has sort of rooms in his cage now..

Depending on how open the store cages are the pigs may still not have enough room to properly run laps and do zoomies.

 

[Eimear]

Just wanted to say that whats called sawdust in the UK and Ireland can be very different than what is called sawdust in north America. So the bedding ButtersandMimsy is using could be perfectly fine wood shavings

 

[ButtersandMimsy]

Ah right, I never even considered that it would be called something different, thank you @Eimear! =)

 

[CathiiPiggie]

Ah right, I never even considered that it would be called something different, thank you @Eimear ! =)

As long as you know the sawdust you use says dust extracted, and is made of aspen and does not irritate the guinea pig's feet or noses (dusty bedding causes URIs) then it should be fine.

 

[madelineelaine]

If it's wood chips, pellets etc that's fine.

If it's sawdust, as in the fine stuff that is wood fiber that you get when you cut wood, that is not appropriate by ANY means.

 

[Lishar]

Depending on how open the store cages are the pigs may still not have enough room to properly run laps and do zoomies.

I saw him dashing around this morning!

 

[Amy262]

Here is our 3-story cage (with full storage on the bottom) with the newly added store bought cage as the kitchen area.



View from other side. You can see the ramp going to and from the store bought cage. I removed one full side of the store bought cage and then zip tied it to the C&C cage.


A view from the top of the store bought cage, which is now the "kitchen".

 

[Rach84]

This is probably a silly question but do you piggies never look like they are going to try an jump out the side of the open c&c cages? lol Just my little guys jump onto most of their hides and stuff an Id be worried they would pop over the side! xx

 

[H@nn@h]

I have a large store cage that I use for their 'hay area' but have grids around to extend their space. It depends on how much room you have, but you can always use C&C to extend.

 

[Rach84]

Where did you go and buy your grids from? I really want to get my piggies out and onto fleece now