Can cats be friends??

[Slyric]

Ok I tried using the search function, but was told that cat didn't meet the 4 letter search req.

Ok Me and my girlfriend have a cat. We bought a guinea pig for my daughter.(oh alright we love it too) Our new cavy has to live with us. I recently found out that the aquarium we have it in in simply not adaquate and I will be building a cavy cage. I think it will be a 3x3.

We will also be getting <HIM> (checked my self) a friend asap.

Any hoo the big question is....Can cats and cavy co exist. My cat is very pouncy right now. I have seen pics with cats on top of the cavy cages so i know some of you have cats.

In the end it is not a big deal because we have a whole bedroom the cavy can play in for exercise /floor time. It has a door and we can just shut the cat out while we play with our cavy. But if they can get along and you have suggestions let me know.

 

[Slyric]

Oh my daughter has officially named him Jacob

 

[Piglet]

Hey and welcome to the forums =) Nice job for wanting to make a C&C cage

I'm not to sure since I don't have a cat, but most people who do, make their cages safe by having a roof

 

[Slyric]

Sadly I would say it's cage is about a 1x2 glass aquarium.


I let it out for a bit in that spare room I mentioned. Running around like a crazy
He runs from us mostely. If we sit still tho he will come over to ya and then run when you reach to pet him LOL. It's a work in progress.


Another question. He is nibbling at the carpet in that room. Is that normal? Is it bad for him? If it is bad for him how do I get him to stop?


Awaiting cat replies also

 

[Chip'n'Oliver]

My husband and I have 3 cats and 2 cavies. Our cavies (Chip and Oliver) live in a 2x4 C&C cage with a 2x2 upper deck and (of course) it is fully enclosed. The cats are sometimes interested in the piggies, but mostly when we have them out for lap/floor time or when they are making a ruckus in their cage. As long as you always supervise when your piggy (piggies) are out and you make the new cage fully enclosed, you shouldn't have a problem. Letting him have a room with a door that closes to keep the cat out is a great idea! Just make sure it is cavy-proof (no wires, etc).

As for the nibbling, my two guys do that occasionally, but not that much as long as I make sure they have plenty of hay!

 

[Piglet]

Well, the aquarium is only temporary so its ok. I would say that nibbling on the carpet is bad. Just give him lots of other things to chew on --> hay, food, carbodoard boxes, maybe newspaper?

 

[Slyric]

The room belonged to our former room mates. It is completly empty except for a large chair of mine which we are probably going to get rid of.

I feel very bad about the horrible condition of its cage.

Sadly right after christmas we have a few money problems it could be up to three weeks until we can start the C&C cage.

Can the C&C cage be kept on the floor for a couple of weeks until we can buy a card table or something to put it on?

Here are plans.

1. Get materials and build C&C cage.
2. Next check get card table for it.
3. Build top for cage and finally bring into the living room

Will be kept in the cat free room till then.

 

[Chip'n'Oliver]

I got 2 boxes of grids (on sale for $10 each at Target) and I had enough to build the top and the upper level. I'm sure that with just one box (24 grids) you should have enough to build a one level cage with a top.

 

[Slyric]

Ok can you tel me what section of target the grids can be purchased. Also where is a good place to get coroplast? I heard Kinkos?


And where do I get connectors? Are connectors needed or could you just cable tie the whole thing together?

going to start using fleece and newspaper as bedding also. I think it will be very easy to clean. How often should I clean it? I am thinking about every 3 to four days. Is it more or less? I will also be pulling out the feces like one to 3 times daily.

Any hoo after all that is done and he has a good home I will get him a buddy. That one will officially be mine haha.

 

[o0Ms Jenny0o]

I keep my two guinea pigs in a open cage in my room. We have 4 cats that roam, but my door is pretty much always closed. Why dont you just let Jacob have the cat free room until you get a C&C? Lay down news paper and towels in a part of the room, and let it be semi-free range?
My cats are more interested in my two parakeets then they are my guinea pigs, probably because my guineas are quieter.

 

[Chip'n'Oliver]

The grids at Target are in the organizational part of the store (right by the hardware section in my Target). The connectors come in the box of grids, but you'll want to get cable ties too for extra support (and to help make doors that open so you can get your piggy in and out of the cage).

I got my coroplast at a local sign shop. Your best bet is to call around to sign makers and ask if they have/are willing to sell plain coroplast. Tell them what you are using it for. I got two 8'X4' sheets for $28 (total) which is pretty average from what I have read on here.

I don't know about the fleece, we use newspaper and aspen. But from what I have read, 3 to 4 days sounds about right.

He'll love you for getting him a buddy!

 

[Slyric]

I am unsure about the room.


The aquarium is about 1.5' by 3' 4.5 sq ft right now. It is a really big aquarium. Not for a pig of course but big for a tank. Next pay check with my holiday pay I may be able to git r done.


Any hoo sleep time thx all will write more tommorrow.

 

[dagwellismypigy]

Yes if the room is empty you should just let the pigs roam untill you can get a c&c

 

[Slyric]

Can you give water in a bowl? All I have is that bottle and no way to present it in an empty room.

I do give hime like 3-4 hours of flor time a day tho. I figure it helps.

 

[mncavylover]

Grab a couple grids, make a small triangle or square with cable ties, and then attach the water bottle to that. Bowls get messy.

 

[dagwellismypigy]

If you dont have grids a water bowl would be ok if its temporary but you would need to change it like twice a day.

 

[mncavylover]

They spill it, and soil it often so you'd have to replace it a lot. It's just a lot of work.

 

[Chip'n'Oliver]

Or you can leave the aquarium in the room, on the floor and hang the bottle on the outside.

 

[Slyric]

Howdy all thx for all your help.


I wanted to give a small update.

I have found cubes at target for 14.99 and built a 2x3 enclosure.
Haven't been able to find any coroplast yet. (Mainly cuz it's the weekend)

But what I did do is put the enclosure on top of an old rug we don't need any more in the cat free room. That is where the piggie is and will be until we can get some coroplast in a couple of days.

He hardly squirms at all when I reach for him outta his cage. He will after about 5minutes come out to eat collard greens outta my hand. He will run like a deamon tho if I try to pet him or pick him up. Actually he doesn't run away as hard as he used to, so I can catch him fairly quickly to get him back in his cage.

Any hoo, We love us some Jake-Jake in this house.

 

[tashagurl]

I dont have any coroplast yet, but I have my cage on a plastic tablecloth with fleece and towels for bedding.