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Floor Time

lilouisianagal

Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
Joined
Oct 15, 2004
Messages
159
I open Fifi's cage to let her go out and she doesn't come out. Or if I take her out she either just scurries back or she goes between the cage and the wall (still under the bed). Maybe when she gets a friend that will help, but until then any suggestions?
 
Um... Don't make floor time next to her cage. Do it somewhere else but provide lots of hay and shelter so that she feels comfortable
 
you should get a playpen and let her run in that. That way she can run around, but can't get stuck under the bad where you can't reach her. I made one out of about 8 or 10 grids left over from my cage. It's perfect. And if you don't make the zip ties too tight, it'll fold up nice! And be sure you put some fleece or something down on the floor because she'll pee all over the place. And it probably will help if she has a friend.
 
yes, if you can put them in a different room, somewhere she cant even see her cage, that is best.

as for entertainment, to encourage excercise, scatter hidey holes and hay throughout the pen rather than in one concentrated area. this will promote excerise. for example, water oppiste hay. pigloo in the middle. something like that.
 
I get a few hidey holes from their cage and put them in the play pen during floor time. They are familiar with them so I think they become more comfortable. I've got a 6x3 playpen and I line it with a plastic sheet.
 
I think it definately helps to have a friend. My pigs follow each other like a train everywhere, and if one happens to get lost he wheeks loudly until he finds his companions.
 
Until then, make sure there is hay, maybe try putting some veggies out, and make sure she feels comfy in that spot. Keep it the same area each day, that way the pig will get used to it. It all takes time.
 
all takes time.............
 
Fifi's cage shouldnt be on the floor anyway!!! lol
 
It has to be on the floor. I live in a dorm and it is under my raised bed.
 
a friend for her sounds good. piggies tend to be a bit braver when they have an accomplice with them.
:)
 
Jennz, cages can be placed on the floor

Kurzon, mine do that as well. When one moves, the other follows. When one eats the other eats. When one gets lost the other wheeks!
 
Yes, cages may be placed on the floor. However, there are many disadvantages of doing this, which I think outweigh the advantages. That is why many people prefer to keep their cages raised.
 
I know, you CAN have it on the floor, buts it is better to have it on a table. If I had mine on a table, then I'd have to make it smaller.
 
Well i know you can have them on the floor but it is much better to have them raised.
 
yea, i think in some cases, though, it is better if a cage is on a floor because that allows the owner to make it bigger and better.

there are numerous pros and cons and arguments about floor or table, but, lets get back to the original topic.
 
Never keep your guinea pig's cage
on the floor. While finding a place to set
a roomy guinea pig cage may seem
difficult, you never want to keep it directly
on the floor.

For one, it simply makes taking care of
the guinea pig more difficult. In order
to feed or pet the animal, the person
must either be sitting on the floor or
bending over. Children, on the other hand,
will have easier access to the guinea pigs
which may make them more likely to play
with their new pets but which may
also make it more likely for them to
release them, to fall on them, or to
hurt themselves by tripping over
the cage.

Furthermore, the guinea pig is very
sensitive to vibrations. Your footsteps
or vacuuming causes the floor to vibrate
and this will usually frighten the guinea
pigs and cause them more stress, thus
making them more difficult to make friends
with. Other pets in the home, as well as
drafts, are bigger threats to guinea pigs
placed on the floor as well.
 
I'm in a dorm room. So keeping her somewhere (unless you prefer the closet) is out. I usually sit on the floor anyway, plus her cage wraps up to my bed. We don't vaccum the room (we use a Swiffer). Our floor doesn't vibrate much if at all (like I said, I spend a lot of time down there. I clean the cage regualarly. She gets her veggies three times a day, water and hay twice, and picked out twice. Kids aren't really a problem. I can't trip over the cage because its under the [raised] bed. My only other pet is her next door neighbor the hamster. Plus it helps that I'm short so Im already close to the ground!
 
Lol dont put her in the closet!!!! Isn't it kinda dark under the bed for her? Im sure your not that short!! lol
 
jenn, its a raised bunk bed.
 
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