Smudgee's Cage....

[Lyndsay]

Is this site ever overwhelming, lol, anyways I have a single Guinea Pig named Smudgee, and he lives in a Pet store bought cage *blushes* but that is the best I can get for him right now. I am looking into those cool grid things. But since it looks as tho this site is run out of the USA, I'm having trouble. I live in a small town called Thunder Bay, in Ontario, Canada. I havn't ever seen the grids around here, but I'm going to call around and try and get my hands on some.

This is my real question tho: I was wondering if I could use dirt in his cage, instead of Yesterday's News, which I have been previously using. I'm posting a picture of his cage so to give you an idea of how things are set up. Any feed back would be greatly apreciated.

 

[stipma]

Hi Lyndsay,
I'm in Ottawa so maybe I can help you. It sounds like you love your piggie so we're going to get him out of that small cage. You can get the grids at walmart, rona, home depot, we also have a loblaws superstore here that sells them. They are available, you just need to search them out.

 

[stipma]

WALMART
777 MEMORIAL AVE.
City: THUNDER BAY
Province: ON
Postal Code: P7B 3Z7
Phone: 807-346-9441
Fax: 807-344-5844

They should have them there. Check in with the bathroom supplies (scales, shelving...etc). Good luck.

 

[Lyndsay]

Thanks a million CanGirl, it never really dawned on me till I started looking at people's awsome cages on here, that it's cheaper, and can be moved around to make things less boring for my little guy. I have always wanted to get a mate for him, cause I always thought he'd be happier with a partner, but I couldnt cause of the cage size. I will deffinatly look at WalMart, and see what they have got, we also have a Home Depot here, and I will check there, as well as a chain store off of LobLaws, The Real Canadian Superstore.

One of my other problems is my room isnt exactly 'big', it's big enough for the cage I have for him, but my problem is I want to make a few levels for him, and keep my parents happy at the same time, they arn't really big on my animals, I have a double sized bed, and a dresser, I'm hoping with some moving around of things I will be better able to house this new larger cage.

What is that plastic looking stuff in the bottom of the grid cages? Is this available at these stores too? Thanks again

 

[stipma]

The plastic at the bottom is coroplast. It should be available at home depot but the home depot here only has white. He would be much happier with a friend. The cages have so much more room and the piggies are so much happier in them. I'll write more later. Dinner time.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

This is my real question tho: I was wondering if I could use dirt in his cage, instead of Yesterday's News, which I have been previously using.

Dirt is a definate no-no. The best choices are aspen, kiln-dried pine, Carefresh, or wood stove pellet.

 

[Denise]

Also, when you make your new cage, consider adopting a buddy for Smudgee.

 

[Lyndsay]

Carefresh eh? mmm can I continue using Yesterdays News?

I'm going to try my HARDEST to get Smudgee a friend.... what would work better a male or a female? If I got a female they would prolly have babies... and my parents deff wounldn't be happy with that... thats the main problem here, they always think that I should "wait till I have my own place, then I can have all the pets I want...." But the thing is I have pets now...

Coroplast... sounds like chloroplast.... hehee, white is ok, I'll decorate it with something, prolly Winnie the Pooh, i love that little dude... I'm so excited to get this project started... I'm no so happy to hear what my parents are going to say.. Anyone got any good persuasion methods? lol Thanks again everyone

 

[Zeander]

Don't forget, you can use fleece for bedding too!

 

[Lyndsay]

Don't forget, you can use fleece for bedding too!

I think that he would have that dirty in no time flat.... as of right now I am using Yesterday News with Pine Shavings, and then hay on top. I really like to use hay cause then he can hide under it, which he really seems to like to do.

 

[divine53]

what would work better a male or a female? If I got a female they would prolly have babies... and my parents deff wounldn't be happy with that...again everyone

You definitely want to get a friend of the SAME SEX. We don't want you having babies either! Please try to find a guinea pig of the same sex to adopt from a rescue or shelter nearby if possible. The other people from Canada may be able to direct you to a good place. Perhaps the person who lives near by can also make sure that you are getting the correct sex by looking at your pigs with you. Good luck!

 

[stipma]

Perhaps the person who lives near by can also make sure that you are getting the correct sex by looking at your pigs with you. Good luck!

LOL I'm in the same province but many hours away.

 

[Denise]

Lyndsay,

Please remember to use proper spellling. Thanks

 

[Emily F.]

Isn't she using proper spelling?

 

[citronsoul]

Fleece is actually used by a lot of members on the forum. If you're curious, you should do a search for "fleece" to find more information about it. I just started using it because my 2x4 c&c cage used a lot of bedding.

https://cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm has a lot of information about adding a second guinea pig.

 

[Teria]

Good idea to get a bigger cage for your pig! Can't you get rid of your double size bed and use a normal one, so Smudgee (and his future new friend) can have the extra space?

 

[Winnie]

i have a one guinea named winnie and she is 7 weeks old and i have here in a store bought 30 x 24 or something (2 x 3 for you Americans) is that big enough ? its my first home brand

 

[Slap Maxwell]

No, 27'' x 41'' is the minnimum.

 

[Lyndsay]

Pardon my horrible chat speak. Ok, 3 people are now suggesting using fleece, I will look into it. I really personally enjoy the scent of hay, and shavings. I am the kind of person that doesn't do anything that costs alot of money, so my parents have been good about buying bedding for my Guinea Pig, and Rabbit. How large are the squares? 2x4 doesn't sound that big. I'm going to look at some more pictures. The one cage that inspired me to look deeper into the site was absoloutly amasing. But I can't find it anymore heheee. Ok so I'm going to plan out the cage design today, and I'm moving around my room to see where I can best accomodate this new creation. Teria, I cannot get rid of my double bed as I have just gotten it. I'm sure my parents wouldn't be thrilled with my reason for wanting to get another bed.
For this cage design I want to intergate his old cage into the mix, so Smudgee doesn't feel as though he has completly moved to a new surrounding. Also do these cube things can they basically hold them selves up? I have a desk. * the one Smudgee's cage is on now* I would idealy like to make it 2 stories with the cubes, and then put his cage as an add on to it.
Is it ok if the Guinea Pig urinate on the fleece? Does it absorb it? Can guinea pigs be litter trained? Or do they train themselves? My goodness, I really don't know alot about Guinea Pigs.....Thanks a Million

 

[Slap Maxwell]

The desk that your cage is on now will not fit a 2x4. They sell folding tables at Walmart that will house one. Look for one that is at least 28'' x 57''. The 2x4 will be a little more than three times the size of your new one, in square feet. The cubes will hold themselves up with the connectors. I would suggest not adding his old cage, it will take away floor space, and there is no side entrance to the old cage.

If you enjoy the smell of hay and shavings, go for the kiln-dried pine. I enjoy the smell too. Aspen has little smell. Fleece, in my opinion, reeks of pee after a couple days. You also have to spot clean 1-2 times a day. I don't like it because hay gets stuck to it, so do shavings (in the litter box), and it can come out of place.