C&C Alternatives Is my cage safe?

[anydue]

I was just wondering if anyone could give me some feedback on the space where my piggies have been living. I turned my dining room table into their cage because we NEVER eat at our dining room table. I taped coroplast sheets together to make a base, but I didn't make sides because I am using fleece. It makes it a lot easier to change! I am using playpen enclosures for the sides. I have not felt at all uncomfortable with the piggies safety, but I want all of your knowledgable opinions because I have found that ya'll know best when it comes to piggies! Is their area safe, or do I need to change to traditional C&C? If I have to change to the cubes, it will cut down on their area because of the table size vs. cube size and having to add sides. Thanks so much!

 

[lissie]

Are the sides attached to anything? Looks as if the pigs could push the whole thing off the table.

 

[Catahoula]

Looks great to me. As long as your piggies can’t go through it or over it, this should be safe.

My only concern would be the paint on your playpen. I don’t know if that would be harmful if your pigs chewed on the bars. But, if they don’t chew at all then you would have no reason to worry.

 

[Catahoula]

Are the sides attached to anything? Looks as if the pigs could push the whole thing off the table.

Didn’t even think of that, but seems like it would be an easy fix.

(Definitely why it’s a GREAT reason to get more then one opinion)

 

[lissie]

The sides look wobbly to me. If the pigs stand up and put their paws on the side (which mine do all the time), it could push one edge off the table and the rest of the panels will get pulled off.

 

[anydue]

No. No attachments. There is about a 4 inch overlap of coroplast from the table where the playpen is placed. My pigs haven't been pushing on anything, but I know they could start. That is what I am worried about. Any suggestions?

 

[lissie]

You could score the coroplast and make it into a tray. Have the grids inside the tray. The pigs won't be able to push the grids off.

 

[zaylea]

You could attach the fleece to the bottom of the pen with binder clips. This will at least help if they nudge it over the edge a little a bit. I know people do it, but I don't think it's really a great idea having cages without attached bottoms on table tops. There's a video about it here.

 

[anydue]

That is a great video zaylea! Thanks for sharing! I am going to change my cage tonight. Even though my boys aren't having a problem with the sides now, I don't want to take a chance at them getting hurt!!! See, this is why I ask you all. Great information!

 

[bpatters]

It looks fine to me, as long as they can't get over the top and the walls don't bend over when they lean on them. If the walls bend, you can fix that by zip-tying a length of wood down each edge to give it some stability.

 

[lissie]

If you tape the coroplast to the table and have the grids inside, it shouldn't slide off the table.

Or to make it safer, you could get a piece of plywood and attached the grids to the plywood. Like this:
c & c cage - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

 

[kathlaaron]

You could score the coroplast and make it into a tray. Have the grids inside the tray. The pigs won't be able to push the grids off.

I think if you did this idea above, that Lissie posted, it should work really well! If you purchased some zip ties, you could secure the play pen fence much more securely, poking small holes ( you could use a hole puncher) into the coroplast ,say every 6 inches or so, around the perimeter of the coroplast tray. I would just make your sides at least 5-6 inches high all around.

If you really don't eat at the dining room table, I really like the fact, that they would be right in the middle of all the action in your home and also, that you and your family can easily sit down there at the table and interact with them on a daily basis ! I like how they are up at a level where it is easy to see them, easy access to give them pets and talk to them, throughout the day.

P.S. For if I could POSSIBLY manage it somehow, I would love to be able to put them out in our living room/dining room area.( like we did at our old home, moved recently to a much smaller apartment home in August.)

However, there is just not enough room, for the size cage that I have built them, especially now. Unfortunately they have to be in our computer/den room. We do spend a lot of time in here, at the computer, but just one of us at a time...not all together as a family. :sad:

 

[anydue]

Kathlaaron, you are always so positive! Thanks! I love the wood for stability ideas as well! We eat at the bar or our breakfast nook table, so this seemed to be a logical place for my guys. It works well when my niece and nephew are over and want to sit and watch/play with them. They just pull a chair up to the table.

 

[kathlaaron]

Kathlaaron, you are always so positive! Thanks! I love the wood for stability ideas as well!

Thank you ! You are so welcome my friend ! Yes, the plywood idea is also a good one too !

P.S. Forgot to mention that I really really love how colourful your cage lay out is too ! Very very nice and so cheerful !

 

[kathlaaron]

Just one last commentlol...do you realize that your cage layout looks to be a size similar to a 4 x 7 C&C cage ? That is really big, a lot of room for piggie play !

 

[anydue]

I started with a smaller area on a different table, but it was just so crowded. I can tell that this setup makes them very happy. Thanks again!