Guinea-pigs won't use ramp

[Alicia]

I bought my guinea-pigs this hutch yesterday:
http://www.petsathome.com/shop/summ...rples-n-grant-(available-in-store-only)-38775

and they won't use the ramp. I know it's only been a day but they had a double storey hutch before and they used the ramp in that hutch. I tried putting one guinea-pig upstairs and the other two downstairs, thinking they'd use the ramp to go find each other but they didn't and the two downstairs were eating all the food so I put the other one downstairs too. What can I do to get them to use the ramp? This ramp is better than the ramp in the old hutch too, this ramp has a side so they can't fall off and little pieces of wood on it so they won't slip so I thought they'd have no problem using it. I've tried encouraging them with food but they still won't use the ramp.

 

[Toffeewoffee]

It looks rather steep in the pictures, i wonder if this could be the problem?

 

[Amysguineapigs]

My hutch is very similar- and I'm having the same problem! It's only been a day for mine too. I did think maybe it be too steep...bit worried now!

 

[Toffeewoffee]

I'm sure i read somewhere that steep ramps can be bad for their backs....? Maybe i am wrong, i think you should both somehow adapt it so that its not quite as steep.

 

[vicky_notts]

I'd just make another ramp. One that goes all the way to other side so it's less steep. X

 

[Jem121]

I have the same hutch.
And mine will go up the ramp but will not come down. Even with putting food along the ramp to tease them. They've been in it a week now.
Wondering what else i can try?

 

[flips]

Can the ramp be moved? If so, then raise the bottom by putting it on a block of wood or something similar to reduce the steepness. They should be able to hop up and down at the bottom with no problem.

 

[MissAqua]

Can the ramp be moved? If so, then raise the bottom by putting it on a block of wood or something similar to reduce the steepness. They should be able to hop up and down at the bottom with no problem.

That is exactly what I did with my double hutch and it worked. I also gave them a helping hand up the ramp once after the trail of food did not work, then they were whizzing up and down no problem.
Also is there enough grip on the ramp? I added a few more small pieces of wood that they could grip onto, some may suggest a cut of carpet may work just as well which it did for me until one of them decided to eat it! I also put a safety ledge to the side of the ramp so they could not fall off sideways.

I also think its down to the pig as I have had pigs that love height and jumping and I have had pigs that don't want to. Good Luck X

 

[Claire W]

The ramps in those hutches are pretty steep. Flips idea is fantastic A common house brick will also do the trick

 

[fuzzyvalefan]

I bet if you put their favourite treat up there and only up there they would soon learn!

 

[Dorothy and Ruby]

I was worried about the girls getting up the ramp on our two story cage so got them one of these:

http://www.cosycavies.co.uk/products/tunnels/

They now love running up and down it and I know they are safe, am now ordering another one for their outdoor hutch.

I would suggest making it less steep aswell though.