new cage

[dandelion]

Well I gave in and built my guinea pig a cavy cage with a second level however he never goes up the ramp....how long did it take for your guinea pig to finally brave its ramp??

 

[Piglet]

Only a couple of minutes, since there was some yummy hay up there. You could put some veggies on the ramp, or some on the top level

 

[Teria]

You can take him and place him up there. He'll eventually make it down again, and next time he should be able to understand it's not dangerous. Of course, storing cucumber or carrots up there might help, too.

 

[mncavylover]

I agree, place the cavy on the top level and let him find his own way down again. Also, please consider getting him a buddy--see www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm. Thanks!

 

[critterlover]

Try putting a trail of veggies up the ramp and a huge pile of veggies on the 2nd level.

When I first made my 2nd level, I only put veggies on the 2nd level, never on the lower level. That way, my piggy knew he *had* to go up the ramp. Also, I picked him up and put him on the 2nd level and nudged him a little bit to make him go down the ramp. After that, he knew he could do it and wasn't afraid of it anymore.

 

[suzy_99]

it took my guineas about 2 weeks to feel safe enough to climb the ramp on their own. I would put them up there with food and hay and they would have no problem, but after they came back down they would not go back up. after a while they learned that this is a safe place for them. I do agree that you should put food and some hay on the second level to try and entice them to climb up.

 

[pennick]

I put their food on the second level. I had to physically put them up there and show them the food. Now they love it up there.