Cats

[streak]

Or that should be Cat.

Across the street has a young cat, around 8 months old, that has started to show interest in the girls. The first time I spotted him he was sat on top of the run with the girls hiding in their houses, since then I've spotted him trying to creep up on the run, he isn't very good as the girls spot him as soon as he begins and run into their hidey houses. As soon as I scare him off they are out again running around. They don't seem scared of the cat, just sat in their house, eating grass.

Should I be concerned and put chicken wire all around the run, or just relax as the cat hasn't actually tried to attack them and they don't seem scared of it.

 

[Julie M]

I wouldn't trust the cat. Just keep an eye on it and make sure he can't get into the run with the girls.

 

[Glynis]

Yeah I'd err on the side of caution and add extra protection etc...
can you chat to the neighbors?

 

[streak]

The cat can't get in the run, I can't always figure it out in a morning, and it's a good size so hidey houses are away from any paws. It's just the paws that could do damage that worries me as the holes are two fingers wide. Stars looks several weeks pregnant, unfortunately I seem to have had a buy one get several free deal, and any babies are more likely to create a bigger interest.

Would chicken wire around the sides do or should I be thinking of something more?

 

[Glynis]

Yes I'd do the extra protection particularly if you're going to be having mini's soon too. Even if you can peg / tie down the wire so cat can't move it either! They're just inquisitive!

 

[7squeakers.]

I agree with previous posts. Keep a close eye on that cat when it is near your runs. What sort of wire do you have on the runs? Fox-proof wire, like you get on hutches, will be better protection than chicken wire. Also, keep a squeezy bottle of water handy, and give the cat a squirt if it pays the piggies too much attention. I think pigs are safe in most types of run, but you don't want them to get stressed out through being harassed by a cat.

 

[streak]

I've got fox proof, but the gap between bars is a little larger than I'd like. Since this is a young cat I'm sure it could get a paw through, couldn't do anything else. The chicken wire would be stapled to the outside making the hole too small for paws to get through.

 

[Sue and Smartie]

I'd put the wire on, for your own peace of mind.

I do have a funny story about a cat. My first pigs lived in the garden, and one day I was watching through the window as a cat tried to creep up on Pickle Pig. He ran into the tunnel, I thought he was hiding, but no! He waited in there until the cat was in sight from the tunnel, then he ran at the wire, squeaking as loud as he could. The cat got a terrific fright and ran away. I never saw the cat go near the run again

 

[Guinea pig slave]

The cat got a terrific fright and ran away. I never saw the cat go near the run again

We have four cats and the lounge where our piggies live is out of bounds - occasionally, one has sneaked in with me and shot off like a bat out of hell Parker (cat) was actually trying to escape out of the window yesterday as the piggies freak him out

 

[piggieminder]

I would put the extra wire round the run as a precaution, the smaller holed type would be best. I have a visiting cat who watches the piggies from about 15ft away from the run since she got wet going any closer a few times.