Designing a classroom guinea pig cage

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ILoveAnimals123

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I'm trying to design a cage for a class guinea pig. I've come up with the basic design, but there are a few details that I would love some advice on.

Basic design (attached rough draft)
1) has to be on wheels
2) has to have a base to lift it to the right height
3) has to have a tortoise tank on top of about 2/3 (not exact measurements for either yet)
4) has to be strong enough for the tank
5) loft next to cage (optional)

Other questions:
1) Would it be safe to leave the loft uncovered? We want to give her as much light and openess as possible and this would make it easier to feed her treats and interact with her. There are no other pets like cats or dogs, but it is a classroom so we want to make sure it's safe.
2) What would be the best type of door for us to use? Our idea is currently to have two doors on the front of the bottom part that cover half each and open outwards so that we can pull the coroplast out to change bedding but can open only half to take her out so she can't accidently fall out while we are getting her. We don't know for the loft yet.
3) What would be the best materials for us to use? Our only idea so far is a wooden frame and back, some sort of chicken wire like mesh on front and sides, coroplast stuff on the bottom and part of the back. We want to make sure that is safe for guinea pigs and strong enough to support the cage while giving her light and openness. We also have a very very limited budget so we are trying to find the cheapest way to make the best cage we can.
 

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I really don't think class pets are a good idea especially Guinea pigs as they are shy and quiet creatures and need a lot of care and someone keeping a close eye on them around the clock.

Please rethink why you want a class pet. Is there another way you can teach the same lessons? Is the animals welfare going to matter as much as the children's welfare and what happens when there is a conflict between the two? I work in special schools and nurseries and I have never seen a class pet who's needs were fully catered for aside from therapy dogs. the novelty value wares of quick for the children and staff can rarely cope with an extra half hour of cleaning at the end of each day leading to compromises being made in the animals care. If you like the idea of keeping a pet keep one at home and share pictures and stories with your class but please don't bring a vulnerable animal into the loud chaotic environment of a school. It rarely teaches responsibility rather highlights which of your pupils are already responsible and teaches them all that animal's are there for our enjoyment and their wellbeing doesn't need to be considered.
 
I agree with what Sweet Potato has said, guinea pigs are not classroom pets nor is any pet really.
Also you mention her alot as in single piggie which is really not good for them as they are social animals and not wired to be single pets.
 
I agree with @Sweet Potato . A guinea pig really isn’t suitable as a classroom pet nor is any animal.

Classrooms are very drafty which isn’t good for guinea pigs as they don’t do well with temperature changes or drafts. You also talk about only having one guinea pig, she will get lonely by herself, she really needs a friend.

Who will look after the guinea pig at weekends and school holidays?

Please reconsider
 
You have clearly worked hard on your design and given it a lot of thought.

However as other's have already said guinea pigs (always in a pair) are not at all suited too life in a classroom.

The full details and possible alternatives are discussed here:
Guinea Pigs as Classroom Pets - Why Not

Maybe put your energy and talents into coming up with a presentation on why getting a guinea pig for a classroom won't work, and possible alternative solutions.
 
I would also like you to think about what would happen if you came in to work and one of the piggies was ill. Would you have time to notice if they weren't being themselves or were not eating? Is there a member of staff that could dedicate the whole day taking the piggie to the vet (piggies often can't wait once they start showing symptoms they need to see a vet immediately)? Have the school agreed to cover £1000s of vet bills for the piggie to see an exotics specialist? A lone piggie is more vulnerable and can scare more easily so is there a quiet place her friend can go to be away from the children? What if a child finds the piggie ill or dying? How will you help the children cope with such a traumatic experience?
 
@ILoveAnimals123
Great name . . Sorry but you miss named yourself. . No animal should be a class room pet. . Why subject a animal that is naturally frightened to a environment of noise and constant anoying by children
I KNOW this happens. . . Pls don't.
I had a piggie that I took from a school. . It was so so sad. . . It should be illegal.
You asked for advise then pls don't use a real animal. . . Use a virtual one .
 
More and more children have allergies and Hay (as in 'hayfever') and Dander (the fur and bits on it) allergies are widespread. I'm a bit surprised the head teacher is letting you go ahead with this plan! But perhaps you are not in the UK and you have different rules... I mean our kids aren't going to be in school till March...

Our junior school rehomed it's guinea-pigs as soon as the new head arrived (the same year we arrived) and never got any more pets. They got a 'wildlife camera' for a few months which was motion sensitive and the children checked the feed on a computer each morning to see what had been snapped. Now it was mainly cats for sure - but also some hedgehogs and squirrels: the kids were riveted by the number of animals going through the school grounds after they had left. They also sponsor donkeys every year at a local sanctuary and the donkeys come down for a visit to say thankyou. Sometimes people bring in a pet like a placid dog or people-loving pup for a visit and a talk. Occasionally a docile rabbit who is used to being (man)handled... the owners know their charges and can talk all about them.

When I first started going to my vet the first question I always got asked was "are they a children's pet?" (I said No, they're mine!) and it's partly because they see a lot of injuries - usually unintentional - which people don't want to own up to... "she was dropped/squeezed too hard/nails clipped too short/whiskers cut off/a poke in the eye/face bumped and broken teeth/she just jumped out of our hands!" etc. All... The... Time...

I love 'them very much but they're just not cuddly, and they don't like noises.... and they do poop a lot! And vets are expensive. As a prey animal their default setting is fear so if the children do go beyond seeing them as a 'living toy' they might just end up feeling really sorry for them.
 
My Thistle is an ex school pet and she suffered immensely for her first 2 years of life, permenant deformities of all 4 feet from incorrect nail care, obesity and lack of muscle mass from poor diet, small caging and lack of exercise, damaged airways from a dirty environment. Schools are busy places, focused on children's learning, they are not the place for skittish, gentle, social animals such as guinea pigs. I can only echo the above in asking you to reconsider subjecting animals to a school environment.
 
There's been thread here titled 'Little Melvin's Rescue' which we have all been following. It might be worth a look as it shows what can happen so very easily. The people who worked at the school where he was must have been caring types - it's that kind of job - but this mature pig ended up so starved he was the weight of a newborn piggy. That's right - a newborn. I couldn't believe it myself at first.

But it's the allergies that you won't get past. There are kids at our school who are doped up to the eyes and just miserable in hayfever season and being indoors is their only respite. And I know 3 that can't even visit the house of a friend if they have a pet without antihistamines - runny eyes, sneezing, itchy hives - they can't learn if they're like that.
 
Eriathwen said:
My Thistle is an ex school pet and she suffered immensely for her first 2 years of life, permenant deformities of all 4 feet from incorrect nail care, obesity and lack of muscle mass from poor diet, small caging and lack of exercise, damaged airways from a dirty environment. Schools are busy places, focused on children's learning, they are not the place for skittish, gentle, social animals such as guinea pigs. I can only echo the above in asking you to reconsider subjecting animals to a school environment.
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Free Ranger said:
There's been thread here titled 'Little Melvin's Rescue' which we have all been following. It might be worth a look as it shows what can happen so very easily. The people who worked at the school where he was must have been caring types - it's that kind of job - but this mature pig ended up so starved he was the weight of a newborn piggy. That's right - a newborn. I couldn't believe it myself at first.

But it's the allergies that you won't get past. There are kids at our school who are doped up to the eyes and just miserable in hayfever season and being indoors is their only respite. And I know 3 that can't even visit the house of a friend if they have a pet without antihistamines - runny eyes, sneezing, itchy hives - they can't learn if they're like that.
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Well done guys.
I cryed when my expartner who worked in a school told me about a piggie (PEDRO) who condition was horrible. I paid for his vet bill on raw feet due to living in urine. Then she told me he squeaked one day on smelling cucumber . . But kitchen wouldn't let him have any as it was for the children. . .
Long story but I collected him that night after I threatened to report the school . It was 8pm and I wouldn't let the headteacher leave. .
Pedro was poorly but we turned him round. My deep love for piggies came from the :luv: he gave me.
Schools and animals are a NO.
 
Live animals shouldn't be part of any classroom or nursery. It's not pleasant environment for the animals. You cannot teach kids to care for animals if you're keeping it in a wrong environment in the first place.
With all the health and safety gone crazy I wouldn't think you would be allowed to have allergens and something with potential to bite around kids. I've seen far too many animal hurt by kids, even unintentionally. This should be parents responsibility.
Even RSPCA education teams use plush toys for kids to do health checks etc.
 
I agree with everyone else. Not to mention that the only reason guinea pigs seem like good ‘starter’ pets for children is because they’re prey animals. When prey animals are afraid, they freeze. This means they’ll sit on your lap while you pet them, and whilst that looks cute to a person, it means they’re actually afraid and are trying to appear boring to a predator in an attempt to be left alone and stay alive. Yes, some piggies like cuddles but the vast majority don’t. I’ve had 6 piggies and only one has enjoyed being cuddled, the rest don’t like it. Quite frankly, they make terrible starter pets for children when you consider their actual emotions as sentient beings. They might look great on the outside but when you consider their wants and needs, they aren’t.
 
Just to add to this, you keep referring to the Guinea pig as “her” implying there’s only one. Guinea pigs need a friend even when they’re not in a classroom. Another thing I picked up on is that you say you have a limited budget to make a cage, if that’s the case before you’ve even begun then what will you do when they need vet visits? They cost hundreds at a time sometimes. no animal deserves this. On holidays and school closing times during Covid I’m guessing the pig would just be left there to fend for itself as well. Please reconsider
 
Sweet Potato said:
I really don't think class pets are a good idea especially Guinea pigs as they are shy and quiet creatures and need a lot of care and someone keeping a close eye on them around the clock.

Please rethink why you want a class pet. Is there another way you can teach the same lessons? Is the animals welfare going to matter as much as the children's welfare and what happens when there is a conflict between the two? I work in special schools and nurseries and I have never seen a class pet who's needs were fully catered for aside from therapy dogs. the novelty value wares of quick for the children and staff can rarely cope with an extra half hour of cleaning at the end of each day leading to compromises being made in the animals care. If you like the idea of keeping a pet keep one at home and share pictures and stories with your class but please don't bring a vulnerable animal into the loud chaotic environment of a school. It rarely teaches responsibility rather highlights which of your pupils are already responsible and teaches them all that animal's are there for our enjoyment and their wellbeing doesn't need to be considered.
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I attend a very small private school that is a much better environment than a lot of other schools I've been too. She is really friendly and has no problem with being in a classroom, in fact she seems to enjoy the attention. It's been about two years since the teacher got her. Her room is late middle schoolers so they are responsible enough to not hurt her and there are a few other students who also enjoyed giving her treats cleaning her cage and doing other things like that. She fits the environment really well. We are hoping to get her a friend once we have a cage that's large enough but the one she is currently in is far too small for her let alone a friend. I have two piggies myself so I know the importance of having more than one and taking care of her. This is a project so me and my friend are supplying most of the resources ourselves but may get some help from the school so vet visits and other things are not a concern for us.

The idea of her in the classroom isn't going away and she has always been cared for. I personally went to see her daily before she went home with a student at the beginning of the COVID stuff (no furries till after that's done). I know just about everything involved in keeping her in a classroom but I just want a little advice on building the cage so that we can get her in a larger cage with a friend faster.
 
I know that there are concerns regarding class pets, but I also know that she is fine and loved and well cared for. She's given treats, is very outgoing and has a good hiding place if she wants to. She's also not around little kids and loud noises and her cage is at a location where allergies can be addressed without it affecting her. there's been a lot of thought put into this, and I would never put her in a situation that she would be unhappy or in danger. I love her just as much as my own two pigs. Whenever something bugs me, like her cage size and her lack of other piggies, I find a solution like the one that I'm trying to get advice on. Telling me things that I've thought through does not help so please don't respond unless you have something helpful that can help me finish fixing the only problem she has.
 
The "only problem she has" is that she is a classroom piggy. Whilst I'm sure we all appreciate the fact that you are trying to do your best, this poor piggy has been in far too small a cage on her own for 2 years in an environment that she won't be enjoying and she will be stressed out by. Guinea pigs are prey animals, as has already been stated, and they need somewhere other than a classroom and more importantly she needs a larger cage and a friend! How would you like to live in an environment that was far too small with no one to talk to for 2 years? That is what this poor piggy is being forced to do.
 
:agr:
It’s not the only problem, its the whole problem.
We are all helping you with the necessary welfare advice. Asking us not to respond unless we have something to say which is going to agree and tell you what you want to hear is not what will happen here. It’s not right for this piggy to be in a classroom full stop. Whether she has a friend and a bigger cage does not change the fact that its still a classroom. All it will mean is that there are then two piggies being kept in a classroom. She really needs to be removed from the class and taken to a private home to live appropriately.
Does she have a playpen larger than her cage for exercise time multiple times a week?
Is rescue dating an option to get her a friend? What will happen and how will living arrangements be if a piggy is bought on spec and the bond fails ie two separate side by side cages? As she has been alone, there could be socialisation and fear aggression issues, how would that be handled given there may be a chance a slow bond is needed to overcome the issues?
 
You may be doing as well as you can in a classroom environment but that environment can never be suitable for Guinea pigs I'm sure you've thought things through but I cannot offer solutions to your problems because the only possible solution is to care for her at home. The fact you sent her home with a child seems observed and irresponsible to me not only from an animal rights perspective but from a child welfare perspective aswell. I know you think you can do this, and class pets are a lot more "normal" in America but that does not make it right. I've worked at some lovely small settings aswell as larger ones, none of them would be appropriate for pets. I do not doubt that you love her but that isn't enough.

Please please please reconsider we are only trying to help your poor lonely piggie.
 
ILoveAnimals123 said:
I know that there are concerns regarding class pets, but I also know that she is fine and loved and well cared for. She's given treats, is very outgoing and has a good hiding place if she wants to. She's also not around little kids and loud noises and her cage is at a location where allergies can be addressed without it affecting her. there's been a lot of thought put into this, and I would never put her in a situation that she would be unhappy or in danger. I love her just as much as my own two pigs. Whenever something bugs me, like her cage size and her lack of other piggies, I find a solution like the one that I'm trying to get advice on. Telling me things that I've thought through does not help so please don't respond unless you have something helpful that can help me finish fixing the only problem she has.
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When the staff team PM you, you would do well to not ignore it.
 
Sorry, but you've come here for advice and as you can see, there's not a single person who believes the piggie is in right hands. Something to think about...
So, you're in well off private school, yet the piggie has no friend, is in small cage and has to go to live with a student during covid. Funds are obviously not spent on her, therefore you can't expect us to believe she's living to full potential if her basic needs aren't even met!
Piggies are prey animals and take time to adjust to new environment, her moving isn't helping her as she has to settle everytime she changes environment or carers.

She's living as best as she can, just like humans would if they had no choice. Doesn't mean she's as happy as she could be.
As a mother, pet owner and rescue worker I wouldn't be happy spending my child to a school with a classroom pet. You know she'll get ill/die, right? Is it really necessary to put kids through that ( knowing she lived half) ?

Do you also have another classroom pet? Or who is the tank on the sketch for?
 
Well I was about to comment and mention my late great duo Chip and Dale. It looks like the OP has already been dealt with...
:rant::ban:
 
Claire W said:
Why has this member been banned? They were asking advise which we were giving
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And the advice and experiences were excellent.
I really hope they were able to take some of that on board.

However they also confessed that the currently classroom guinea pig had been on it's own in a too small cage for 2 years and was 'fine'.
So sadly I don't think they were really open to the experience and suggestions of others - just a validation of their own ideas and opinions :(
 
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