Cagey Compromises

[aasagan]

We have two female cavies, each about 3-4 months now. Doing well.

I've come to realize from reading on this site that we need a bigger cage. The current cage is about 6 sq. feet, and it resides in my son's bedroom, away from the window. The room gets visited often and they get lot's of time out of cage, but we want to give them more room to run on thier own schedule, especially as they grow.

So the only place I have for a larger cage is the basement. I can build at least a 20 sq. foot elevated enclosure down there. Our basement does not have humidity or mold issues, the temperature is far more constant than the bedroom, and the area is busy with kids playing every day (8-10 y/o). But, my problem is that there is no window. I didn't find "natural light" on any priority list so far, but it just seems unpleasant to live in a basement no matter how big your cage. I guess a timer/light could establish an artificial day-night pattern, like with my tropical fish, but so unnatural.

Or I can build a 10 sq ft enclosure in the bedroom. But in our case, one cavy has clearly established rank over the other. I mean they get along well enough, and seem happy and content, but largely stay out of eachother's way. So I feel I need a bigger cage not only for exercise/health but to give them their own "space" so to speak.

So, would any of you more experienced cavy-keepers be able to advise me or try to rank the following factors in order of priority? Thanks very much for reading!

Cavy-Cage Factors:

• Busy people traffic
• Natural Light
• Room to Run/Size
• Temp/Humidity Stability

 

[lipglossartist]

cage placement

I would say that the single most important thing for your cavys is accomodaing their own 'space" and congrats to you for keeping more than one, that is the best thing you can do. Since you said that they DO get out for floortime, I would say that there would be no problem at all housing their cage in the basement. Considering: the light was kept on a reg sunlight schedules (no more than 12-16 hrs/day and use a soft white light bulb and nothing flourescent. Anything that is unpleasent and unnatural to you, is to them. Use your floortime on the upper floors and also use that time as the exposure to sunlight.

In my opintion, that wouldnt be a problem for them at all. Thanks for considering going bigger.

Melissa @
(broken link removed)

 

[tashagurl]

If you do decide to go with the basement cage you could even think of getting a nuetered male. You wouldnt have the dominance issue and you would have a big enough space. It was just a suggestion.Ive notice that even my most tempremental girl loves to spend time with her dad. ( who is now nuetered) Other than him she keeps to herself. But she is often snuggleing with him.
good luck with the cage though.