Guinea pig jumping from loft!

[TinyPiggies]

Hi, I have 2 3 month old female guinea pigs in a 4x2 c&c with a half height loft. It's the standard set up from Kavee. I just added the loft last week and they love it. I have seen one in particular leaning off the side of the loft over towards the ground floor of the cage, but assumed she would stay put since guinea pigs don't jump.... Today she was leaning towards me out and obvious decided I must have some really good food she just jumped from the loft to the floor. She landed on her food bowl but is totally not hurt, but it really surprised me. As it's half height it is only a drop of 17 cm, but still I thought that guinea pigs don't jump! Is this normal? Is it safe? Do I need to implement some barrier to stop her doing it or leave her to it?
It has also got me thinking - has anyone ever had a guinea pig climb/jump out of a c&c cage? She reaches her head over the top now when she stands on her back feet to see if I have food. And is probably still growing. As the cage is on a stand it would not be good to jump out of! Do you think there is a danger?
Thank you!

 

[Sweet Potato]

My pigs will jump up ontop of their hides sometimes and they're higher than this. I don't think it will have hurt her but you could put some sort of barrier up if you're worried.

 

[Siikibam]

I would put a grid or something there so she can’t jump off. I know it’s not high but better safe than sorry.

 

[Sunnyandbutch]

I have the same cage, my boys have tried to jump off the loft and have unharmed. I did put grids up to prevent any possible injuries because while there is a small chance that they could get hurt. Pigs could do a head/ nose dive which could potentialply cause serious injuries. So, I would not be too concerned but I would put grids up.

 

[Swissgreys]

Whilst it is unlikely they would jump out of the cage sometimes younger piggies can be a bit exuberant.
Personally I would put something along the front of the loft to stop them jumping off it.
I would also consider putting one grid as a roof above the cardboard box in the corner. You could then put a pad on top of the box and hang some fleece strips from the grid to create an extra sleeping place for them.

 

[Jemima]

They are really sweet! I don't have anything useful to say though - but it is great for me to see your set up, as I am about to get the same. I see you are using fleece liner with a tray for hay - perhaps I will do the same... I hope your piggies will continue to have fun in their home and not harm themselves. Sounds like they are happy.

 

[Deleted member 139433]

I’ve never had them jump out of C&C cages. But mine do like to sit on top of their hides. So I have a piece of C&C above the hides. I don’t want them jumping into each other’s cages, that would be carnage!

 

[TinyPiggies]

Thanks everyone. Does anyone know anywhere I can get half c&c panels in the uk (for the loft) or would I need to cut them myself?

 

[Siikibam]

You could just cable tie on normal sized ones so the overhang is at the top rather than the bottom inside the cage. If that makes sense.

 

[piggieminder]

I am shocked that they would sell a cage like that without a barrier along the edge. In my commercial cage that I have put a loft into that doesn't have enough height for full grids I used baking tray cooling racks instead of grids, I found they are just the right height to create a barrier.