Floor time materials

[cobalt]

I was just curious about what materials other people use for their guinea pig's floor time. I use a Superyard XT (a baby cage) and some childrens interlocking floor mats covered with newspaper to contain my pig and protect the floor. This settup works pretty well, but takes time to break it down and set up again. We use the baby cage because we have a one year old daughter and the baby cage keeps the pig safe from her unbalanced steps and curious hands.

What does everyone else use?

 

[sofiemuffins]

The interlocking childrens mats are like those big (kind of foamy) puzzle pieces right? I saw them at Toys R Us and almost bought them, but I wasn't sure if they would obsurb the urine...even if I put paper down. I actually ended up buying 2 yards of picnic table fabric (the kind that's vinyl on one side, fabric on the other) which works good too.

 

[Sierra]

When I get my guinea pigs, I am going to use a shower curtain possibly with nespaper on top, but it won't really be necessary, and then just regular grids that I am going to use for my cage tied together with zip ties or cable ties, whatever you like to call them, so I can make them in an accordian so they can be folded back up to save space.

 

[Piglet]

Sierra, thats what I do with my grids. At the mo its not too cold outside so I just set up their cube play pen in my garden. In the winter I'm planning to bring the pen inside and lay down this lino plastic thing I bought. Its fabric on one side and lino on the other.

 

[mncavylover]

A shower curtain with a set of grids cable-tied together works really well! A kiddy pool filled with towls works well also.

 

[Starbucks]

my piggies get floor time outside on the grass and cement. when they are inside, i lay down used bath mats. this seems to work fine and then you can just throw them in the wash.

 

[loves2travel]

i will just give them floor time in the bathroom. the floor is easy to clean, there arent any dangerous places. All i will need to do is block off the doorway with 3 cubes ties together

 

[MetallichicA]

I let mine out on my living room floor... I have a flap that I can open so I dont' even have to pick them up out of their cage, I can just open it and they walk right out. It works great because they go back in their cage to poop and pee. If you're worried about them doing that though, the NeatSheets work well. The pee doesn't soak in at all, and they're not slick like shower curtains. I'd worry that the piggies wouldn't feel safe on plastic like that because they'd skid around.

 

[CavyCrazyMom]

What are neet sheets and lino?? Never heard of those!

I use leftover grids that the lady gave me when I adopted sugar and spice. I use it inside on my hard wood floors and put a cat bed that I bought for them, and I also use it outside on the grass when I clean the cages. My kids watch them because they like to show them off to their friends! lol But I thought about the table cloth thing, cloth on one side and plastic on the other...you can get them at the dollar store too btw!

 

[MetallichicA]

I'm pretty sure "lino" is just short for linoleum. NeatSheets are kind of new, it's a double-thickness cloth that lets no water and no sand in (we love using them on the beach). They're about 7 bucks at Walmart, but you can wash them many times. Usually when one of the pigs pees on it, I just grab a Kleenex and soak it up, that way I rarely even have to wash the NeatSheet.

 

[loves2travel]

our bathroom floor is lino

 

[TinaFabulous]

I'm working slowly expanding the area. Because Furby seems lay in floor time, so we made it fun with cardboard boxes with some letuce inside and a upside down ice cream bucket, things like that. Just working on getting him to have some fun during the time. For now im using a large trash bag and a blanket on top... Havent needed to set up the fence yet, Its like the blankets the boarderline. So it becomes a bsit bigger each time. She's still very unsure about leaving hiding places for long.

 

[Starbucks]

i think i will check out the neatsheets idea so my piggies can have indoor floor time longer. thats the only thing i worry about is their mess. thanks!

 

[CavyCrazyMom]

yeah, I am going to look into the neat sheet thing! Thanks! How big are they??

 

[Denise]

They have two sizes. I have mine unwrapped so I don't have the specifics. Sam's Club has them packaged together. One is about the size of a full size mattress (top only) and the other is about the size of a queen size mattress. They are great for the beach!

 

[KmKrazy9]

i will just give them floor time in the bathroom. the floor is easy to clean, there arent any dangerous places. All i will need to do is block off the doorway with 3 cubes ties together

Make sure there arent any holes in the vanity! (sp?)( or anywhere else) I used to give floor time in the bathroom too when I first got him. But one day when he was crawling around he found this little hole in the cabinent and jumped right on in. Before I even had time to think! I had to tear apart the whole sink to get him out! Im not saying that you shouldnt use the bathroom for floor time , just be sure to check every place even the unobvious.
P.S. You should probably make sure they cant get behind the toilet becaue that seems to be a favorite spot and it isnt always easy to get him to come out LOL

 

[loves2travel]

the space behind our toilet is about a foot wide, and all we have is a counter with closets that have doors. no other tight spots.

i appreciate the concern, though.