What to do?

[wilson]

I need some ideas for floor time. For the past few times my piggies have had it i put them in like a play pen with a sock stuffed with wood chips(found under the toys section) some paper balls, and there new fiddlesticks. What else should i get for them to do. The one doesnt move around really at all durring floor time and the other ones around or sits close to the one that doesnt move. The one that moves is also always chirping. I usually end up holding them for a bit after they have been playing around for a bit. So what else should i do? What do you guys and girls do?

 

[mom to cujo]

You need to give them places to run to and hide in . Multiple places are the best, I have found because then they run from place to place. They are so goofy. Cujo likes to hide under the day bed cover that overhangs on the front. He runs around a bit and does laps around our coffee table and then rests a while. Then he starts over again. Give them as much room as possible to run back and forth.

 

[wilson]

ok thanks. Is it ok to just let them have like floor time without you holding them for a bit just as long as your watching. Like say they were running around in something and you were watching tv or reading a book but watching them, is that ok?

 

[loves2travel]

yes. as long as the area is copletely fool proof.
Now I have a question.
where my piggies will have floor time is a plain room, with almost nothing in it (the only thing is a toilet, which is wide and there isnt any room behind it for them to get stuck. the sink is on a wall built in counter, so i mean it when i say there isnt anything in there). there arent any electrical wires either, so after the doorway is blocked off, it is as safe as any free range environment. My bedrrom is right across the hall, and from my door, I can see into the bathrrom. if i ever hear any alarming noises, i can go right away, so they are really safe. AND, there is plenty of room for exercise.

so, my question was, do they need to be closely monitered in this type of environment?

 

[cinn&sprinslave]

my question was, do they need to be closely monitered in this type of environment?

Hmm personally I think yes, but I don't know what anyone else thinks. Be sure to remove all cleaners and chemicals even if they are out of the piggs reach.... Um I see no reason why you wouldn't want to watch them during floor time, it's so much fun! I watch mine the whole time it is easy to find something to do and watch them in the same room... I have been taking mine outside all week long in the afternoon. And let them run in the yard (I only take two or three out at a time and watch them very closely) You should see the way they run around it' so darn cute. :0)

 

[wilson]

Mine just got done there floor time. They are still a bit shy but the one likes to get out and sniff. Even the other guinea pig that isnt as active. It sniffs it and the other one almost bit him. Is that just because they are both guys? Then they both just sat there beside eachother. It was funny. There was also a lot of chirping coming out of the energetic one.

 

[loves2travel]

the only reason i dont want to watch them is because I will be giving it to them for three to four hours a day, and there isnt a tv, or any place to do my homework in there. i could take a book, but one can only read for so long. besides, i do also need to do my homework.

 

[loves2travel]

i dont want to seem like a bad piggy mother, too busy to moniter their floor time, but if i am watching them, i might only have time for about one and a half hours to monitor and i would really like to give them at least three hours, more usually four hours.

 

[NoVeil]

so, my question was, do they need to be closely monitered in this type of environment?

It sounds like you are monitering them fine. You made sure their environment was piggy proof, I assume you have toys and hidey spots for them and you are right where you can see and hear them without being on top of them. It sounds like a good set up to me.

When my gang is down, I don't sit next to them. I am generally doing other things and they run around. I also don't just plop them onto the floor and walk off. They are in a hallway off the kitchen and as I am doing things, I stop and talk to them, give them scratches and move hidey spots to encourage the slugs to move a bit. The kids pass by and stop and talk/scratch and cuddle as well.

I think they like to have company but they also don't want hovering while they are down there.

 

[cinn&sprinslave]

i dont want to seem like a bad piggy mother, too busy to moniter their floor time, but if i am watching them, i might only have time for about one and a half hours to monitor and i would really like to give them at least three hours, more usually four hours.

hmmm good point well make sure you drop in on them once in a while to say hi lol...............

 

[loves2travel]

ok. i feel better. in answer to noveils assumption, yes, there WILL be lots of hidey houses, tunnels, cozies, hay and water for them.

 

[ice_on_fire]

my piggies have their floortime in my bedroom since their cage is in there too.. i blocked off the area under the bed so they won't go in and then pee and poo everywhere, but they just somehow always get in there..!! i put tunnels and things for them to hide and they seem to like it so far

 

[CavyCrazyMom]

I think that sounds great! I wish I could let my pigs out like that, but I have a large dog that is curious (not attacking curious, but better safe than sorry! lol) so I can't/won't leave them alone at all! I think as long as you have the bathroom free of anything they can chew or drink then it should be fine!

~~Cheri~~

 

[wilson]

On an off note about floor time. Are green apples ok, im going to try a few tonight mayeb if its ok. Also is using like 4" pvc pipe ok to use as a tunnel.

 

[mncavylover]

Yes to both, though make sure you wash the apples (as with all fruits) and don't give them too much. =)

loves2travel-- It should be ok, as long as nobody else will wander in there. What I would do personally is either make a grid wall cable-tied together or use a baby door thing so that they're sure to stay in there. As long as you're really close and can glance over every so often, it sounds great. Just make sure they have food and ample water if they are in there for a while. You'll also want some towels in there for their warmth and ease on the feet. Tell me how it goes!

 

[loves2travel]

the door is going to be blocked with a series of grids and I have decided that i am going to make this extend into my room.

thanks for all the feedback!

 

[mncavylover]

Ok, great! Good luck!!!! =)

 

[wilson]

That sounds like its going to be awesome.

Are my guinea pigs still getting used to things becasue last night i put them out for floor time and the one ran around and then hid in the tunnel i made out of fiddlesticks and the other one just sat there and didnt move much. Then they sat together(it was funny because they were head to but) and didnt do anything. They also havent used the downstairs to their cage yet at all, what should i do to try and get them to use it?

 

[Piglet]

Wilson, my pigs do that. They sit under the kiddies school (the hidey hole) head to butt.

Its normal for pigs to huddle in one corner for play time. With time they will get used to the concept of floor time and start exploring. I have had mine for a month now and they still usually stay on one corner. I sometimes turn the light off and it seems to help because they start runnig around more. Just make sure you have lots of tunnels, hidey holes and general play things

 

[wilson]

WEll i dont have amny play toys yet. I havent been to the pet store in a bit. What do you guys and girls use for toys. I still havent thought of names but i was thinking of maybe calling the dark one cadbury and the light one GP ( guinea pig haha). What do you think?