I’m very new to owning guinea pigs, I got a hutch for them out side which is for guinea pigs, but I was concerned they wasn’t going down the bottom using the ramp, one of them now is and is spending time down there but I’m just concerned as I have had some negative feed back on face book that...
There (as always) are so many conflicting answers out there regarding ramps, specifically the angle they should be for safe use.
My potato squad are 4, 5 and 6 years old so are all senior ladies.
I'm trying to plan out a ramp to get them down to the floor from their c&c cage which is 42cm high...
I’ve added our guide below which explains ramps in more detail including the gradient.
You want a ramp to be as shallow as possible, particularly for older piggies with their stiffer joints.
The one you have designed sounds to be ok. Given they are older (have they used ramps before?) I would...
The ramp definitely needs a lot more grip. The spaces between the rungs will be too slippery for them to use and the rungs are too far apart.
Adding carpet or vetbed to it to improve grip and reducing the gradient of the ramp should help if they are already used to usingramps
Ramps in hutches are usually too steep for guinea pigs and have to be modified to make them suitable.
The gradient usually needs to be reduced by putting a brick or such like underneath to make it more shallow.
Wooden ramps also need to have the grip improved to make them easier for piggies to...
Welcome to the forum
Piggies are ground dwelling animals and prefer flat surfaces so climbing isn’t a natural movement for them. Due to that, single storey hutches are advised but double storey with ramps are not a total no-no. They just don’t need double storey areas/hutches (upper levels...
You can get Proplex (coroplast) from Wickes - it’s in large sheets and can be cut and folded it to the size of your C&c cages - measure twice, cut once! Much cheaper than buying pre-made ones. I also made ramps out of square guttering. I use washable incontinence pads and fleece blankets for the...
Personally, I would not buy a hutch and run combo - they are difficult to move, difficult to clean out and the ramps are usually too steep (and, unless your piggies already use a ramp, theres the risk they won’t use the ramp). Separate hutch and run are my own preference.
I have two chartwell...
It’s a thick pile fabric bedding with a green backing that lets urine through to an absorbent layer underneath
Absolutely brilliant bedding for wicking and also comforting for older piggies
I used Velcro to stick vetbed onto hutch ramps (when I used to use ramps - I oniy ever do single...
Welcome to the forum
Some piggies will use a ramp, some never will.
Personally I always go for single level hutches and a separate run.
So a single level chartwell (6ft, particularly if you have two boys) and any separate run you like. I tend to use the home & roost website.
I...
Personally, I’d put a ramp. It’s quite a lot way up for them to jump - yes they can probably do it but as they age it wouldn’t be good for them
As I say, I just covered a c&c grid with some vetbed but a bit of wood covered with an off cut it carpet would work
Ramps in Cages and Hutches
We put in a temp loft (halfway up a grid) and all used the ramp. It was a human issue as to why we took it out (access for cleaning).
I think the angle was similar to what we have now so I am hopeful they will want to use it.
Thanks for the link - I shall try and remember to use the search...
Update!
so its taken a month but we got there in the end.
(more grids had to be ordered, lots of grid wrangling and do-overs then honey had hay poke so we didn't want to change anything in the cage until she was well)
we made a "door" at the end of the cage (half grids with Velcro cable ties...
There is no real answer to how long it takes - some piggies will learn quickly, others never do.
Putting them at the top or the bottom doesn’t really matter.
Remember climbing is not natural to guinea pigs and they prefer their living to be single storey (so double storey hutches are not ideal...
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.