Dog Crate....Is it okay?

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Amy_and_Tomz

Amy_and_Tomz

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I was thinking of a way i could make a Guinea Pig home without using a hutch as i would like to be able to see the pigs (when i get more) and i wouldn't be able to find an indoor Guinea Pig cage big enough....

I was wondering if a Dog Crate, with a vet bed lining would be good as a permanant home for up to 3-4 Guinea pigs?

I do have an Indoor cage at the moment but its only around 4ft.....So i would like to do this instead.
 
As for the use of a dog crate:
You need to make sure the bars are small enough so the piggies can't escape through them or worst be caught in them in an attempt to wriggle through. And you need to provide hidey holes, like little houses etc.

Have you considered C & C grids instead? You can make the cage then as big or as small as you like. They don't cost a fortune either.
 
Hi

I have used dog crates as temp accommodation for pigs but as above, the bars are usually a bit wide and a small pig can get stuck. Also because there isn't a base (only a shallow tray, usually) they kick the bedding absolutely everywhere and make such a mess.

Also, the doors are quite noisy and if you've got nervous pigs it scares them.

I agree C&C might be your best bet, do a search for some threads on here or look at the housing posts, lots of people on here have them and they're really adaptable and cost -effective

Sophie
x
 
It would have to be a very large dog crate to accommodate 3 or 4 piggies. Aren't dog crates quite expensive? You would have to have some sort of base other than vetbed as well as bedding would go everywhere.

www.guineapigcages.com for DIY cage ideas and it will cost MUCH less than a dog crate. You can get the grids in Wickes, Screwfix and some B&Qs stock them.
 
i agree i dont see the point of using dog crates when buying C&C are cheaper and just as good!
 
The gaps in the dog cages are too large. A piggie will definately try to escape through the holes and get stuck. C&C is by far better and you can setup your cage however you wish..

Would you really want to risk having your piggy getting hurt while trying to escape? :o
 
Ooooh they sound brilliant (The C&C cages)
I'm slightly confused though from that website, are they just storage cubes used around the home or are they actually for Guinea pigs?
Do they have a lid?
 
no they are for storage but you can use them for the cage, my piggies love theirs and so much cheaper than buying a cage! you can adapt it to fit into an area too.

You can ahve closed cages, but mine is open, there are designs on the website for both.

mine has two levels too, they love the ramp!
 
So i don't need to put a top on it? Its tall enough so Tomz cant bounce out?
Sorry for all the questions - i seriously haven't heard of these before.
 
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