Size 1.5x3.5? Its all i have room for!

[Traysea]

They are community animals, so in general it is better to have two. BUT there are also lots of people that only have one and there are also pigs out there that don't want to share their cage. When I said a loner pig, I'm talking about a pig that doesn't accept a cage mate. I see them come up from time to time on pet finder and I think if you started poking around you will come across a few of them. The down side with a solitary pig is that you won't be able to get a second pig unless you set up a second cage. You also run that risk if you crowd two pigs into a small cage and they stop getting along.

As for double stacking the cage, it might be a little cramped since it's so narrow, and also a lot more to maintain since the space will still be small and they poop a lot. A LOT. It could probably still be done in the right circumstance with the right pair of pigs. This site wouldn't typically recommend it but in my perspective, I've seen pigs in some sad circumstances. Pigs in small fish tanks, pigs in small store bought cages, bird cages, pairs of pigs in small store bought cages so I think that taking in a pig from a situation like that (or a currently homeless pig) and having a person who truly is trying to do the best for their pets is better than the situation they are already in.

What I think you should do is run some searches on petfinder and see what rescues come up in your area. Then reach out to them and ask them if they have any pigs that would be ok in a cage like that. They might know of a nice mellow pig who could use a loving home even if the cage size is more long and narrow. It's not the ideal, but for me it's not a deal breaker.

 

[Talking Cavy]

A 2x3 is a bit small, are you planning on getting a male or female? Because I have a male and males need more space so I have a 3x3 you should try that even if you get females a 3x3 is a good size!

 

[YourSoJelly]

Do you have a closet? I have 2 dressers, a bookshelf, a curio cabinet, a full mirror, a tv, a tv stand, laundry bin, vacuum, 2x3 C&C cage, and 2 night stands(one on either side of the bed, an air purifier, AND my queen sized bed in my room!!! There was BARELY anywhere to walk... I took most of that Out an put all my clothes in my closet and the laundry bin. Now The only things in my room are: Bed, 1 night stand, vacuum, curio cabinet, tv, tv stand, mini fridge, 2x6 C&C cage, and my book shelf. If I took out the fridge and curio cabinet, there would be even MORE room, however, I don't intend on taking out the fridge, or the curio cabinet (that's the extra stuff). See what absolutely, positively, does NOT have to be there. Try down sizing or re-arranging things.

 

[rhogan]

Do you have a closet? I have 2 dressers, a bookshelf, a curio cabinet, a full mirror, a tv, a tv stand, laundry bin, vacuum, 2x3 C&C cage, and 2 night stands(one on either side of the bed, an air purifier, AND my queen sized bed in my room!!! There was BARELY anywhere to walk... I took most of that Out an put all my clothes in my closet and the laundry bin. Now The only things in my room are: Bed, 1 night stand, vacuum, curio cabinet, tv, tv stand, mini fridge, 2x6 C&C cage, and my book shelf. If I took out the fridge and curio cabinet, there would be even MORE room, however, I don't intend on taking out the fridge, or the curio cabinet (that's the extra stuff). See what absolutely, positively, does NOT have to be there. Try down sizing or re-arranging things.

Oh my! I want to see this arrangement!


I would do some rearranging like others have suggested. Plan out where you have everything and where it can be moved to. If you have a dresser and a closet, then is your closet large enough to fit your dresser? That way you will have that open space for the cage, and you can make a stand out of cubes. It may take a little planning and moving things around more than once to get it right but it is possible. Is there any other location the pigs might be able to be in other than your room?

 

[rsgymjam]

They are community animals, so in general it is better to have two. BUT there are also lots of people that only have one and there are also pigs out there that don't want to share their cage. When I said a loner pig, I'm talking about a pig that doesn't accept a cage mate. I see them come up from time to time on pet finder and I think if you started poking around you will come across a few of them. The down side with a solitary pig is that you won't be able to get a second pig unless you set up a second cage. You also run that risk if you crowd two pigs into a small cage and they stop getting along.

As for double stacking the cage, it might be a little cramped since it's so narrow, and also a lot more to maintain since the space will still be small and they poop a lot. A LOT. It could probably still be done in the right circumstance with the right pair of pigs. This site wouldn't typically recommend it but in my perspective, I've seen pigs in some sad circumstances. Pigs in small fish tanks, pigs in small store bought cages, bird cages, pairs of pigs in small store bought cages so I think that taking in a pig from a situation like that (or a currently homeless pig) and having a person who truly is trying to do the best for their pets is better than the situation they are already in.

What I think you should do is run some searches on petfinder and see what rescues come up in your area. Then reach out to them and ask them if they have any pigs that would be ok in a cage like that. They might know of a nice mellow pig who could use a loving home even if the cage size is more long and narrow. It's not the ideal, but for me it's not a deal breaker.

All that sounds good!

Say if I got a single pig- male or female and put them in a 1.5x3.5 grid cage with an upper loft for the kitchen, gidey, and litter box? Again- still bigger than a pet store cage!

 

[shc1192]

Well, My dresser in my room is not wide enough: only 22 inches. It is 54 inches long, thus making my space to have my guinea pigs 1.5 grids by 3.5 grids. I would like to keep them in my room so that I can close my door if needed against the kittys. :/

The cage would take up the ENTIRE dresser. I could do without a loft if necessary, but I plan anyways to have a 2x4 playpen to put them in after school each day for a while- (door closed against kittys, and still supervised.)

Is there anything else I could do? I really trust your opinions.

Do they have to be on your dresser? Mine are on the floor. Also on a dresser it would be hard to access the cage I would imagine unless the dress is very short, although I'm a very short person so my perception of heights may be different. lol
Is there any way to move your furniture around and have the cage on the floor so you could have a big enough cage?

 

[rsgymjam]

[MENTION=23592]shc1192[/MENTION]

I don't have a tall dresser- it is a long one- standing up to my hips. (I'm only 5'1)
I would most likely bring the piggies out for floor time in a playpen every day, so they would have a ten-grid-around area to rum around in. I would also bring them on my lap for laptime.

I am still working out a few things in my room- but I have 2 dressers- one long one tall, a desk, my twin bed, and a small nightstand. (Ya a LOT I know!)

 

[lissie]

Can you get a loft bed, or a bunk bed?
You can sleep on top and the bottom bed can be the cage.

 

[Traysea]

If it's really worrying you about the extra 7" of doing a 1.5 grid wide cage... Can you do what has been suggested several times... pull your dresser away from the wall about 4-6 inches. Then when you put the cage on it let it hang off the back that 4-5" and then let it hang off the front the other 2-3" it's ONLY 7 inches between a 1.5 and a 2 grid wide cage. And if you do the grids without the connectors you will save about another 3/4" I think. So it will really only be hanging over 3" on either side. You can support the cage using some plywood on top of your dresser (under the cage) or buy using extra grids, dowels, PVC pipe or whatever you have to prop up the back, if you even have to do that.

For me personally, I would either just make it to fit the size of the dresser or let it hang off however much in the back. You can overlap the grids to whatever size you want. It doesn't have to be 1.5 exactly. It can be 1.6 or 1.8, do whatever fits. Cage sizes are recommended not required. It's your pet and your cage and you can do it however you want to. When you ask if it's ok to do this people are just going to tell you what the recommended size is. The bottom line is bigger is better (and easier to clean).

I think it's fine to do 1.5x3.5, some won't agree with me. I have seen people keep their pigs in smaller night time cages because they have them outside or in their play pens during the day. I guess all I am saying is, I would just do it however you can fit and in the future if circumstances change and you can make it bigger that is great, then maybe you can add the second pig.

 

[pinky]

My cages are overlapped two grid spaces on the short ends of the cage making the width 24". The long sides are 4 cubes long and 56". I did that so I'd have enough space to squeeze between the cages and furniture. There's enough room for each pair to run laps. 4 of mine are seniors but they're still very active. I've had cages as large as 2x6 and scaled back without any signs that my guinea pigs even noticed the difference. I have two pigloos in each cage that I take out during the day sometimes; not always. I have a triangle shaped corner litter box I use as a hay bin in each cage. They run around and hop in and out of it sometimes so I think that's one thing they really enjoy. I can't imagine going narrower than 24", though. They need some space to make the turns if they run laps. I think the idea about pulling the dresser away from the wall is a good one. I'd get an old door or piece of wood to support the entire bottom of the cage so it's really secure.

 

[pinky]

Oh my! I want to see this arrangement!


I would do some rearranging like others have suggested. Plan out where you have everything and where it can be moved to. If you have a dresser and a closet, then is your closet large enough to fit your dresser? That way you will have that open space for the cage, and you can make a stand out of cubes. It may take a little planning and moving things around more than once to get it right but it is possible. Is there any other location the pigs might be able to be in other than your room?

My son has a really small room. He has an IKEA loft bed that has a desk top built in under it. He has a small dresser perpendicular to the desk top sitting partially under the right side of the desk and extending out under the ladder so it looks like he has an L shaped desk. It's one of those Danish modern dresser. We took the legs off so it would fit. He uses the other matching dresser (minus legs) as his TV stand. He doesn't have any guinea pigs in his room, but there is space under the desk where a cage would fit. He collects a lot of sports things and stores them under there in Rubbermaid tubs. I don't think his room is much bigger than 10x12 but it's amazing how much he was able to fit by planning the space carefully. He has a file cabinet in his closet and we added a second shelf in the closet about 12" above the other one for added storage space. He also has a single long shelf that runs the length of one wall to hold some of his collectibles. Shelves, stacking things, removing legs from dressers and using the closet are all ways to find extra room.

 

[rsgymjam]

Okay guys!!!
I have (finally) come to the conclusion that I CAN have a 2x3 c and c cage!!! Woo hoo!!!
Anyways- now I can so would two gps be better than one? I plan to have a 1x2 loft to accomodate kitchen and litter. Giddy would be down below!

Now, just to count my cube number, calculate money, and convince my DAD.

Ugh- wish me luck!

 

[ShadeyPig]

Goodluck im glad you found the space.

 

[Traysea]

Im glad you found the space and some peace of mind about the cage size.

 

[rsgymjam]

Thanks to everyone- i couldn't have thought up a plan without your input. In fact, I'm still in the process of measuring to see if I can have more WALKING space in my room. LOL

 

[rsgymjam]

Hey guys,

I had a new thread on this, and I have confirmed that I now have room for a 2x4 rearranging my room! Thanks for all your help!