Keeping pigs safe from pet rats?

[KimmyKim]

Hello all! I joined this forum to help my niece’s Guinea pigs. She has two boys that are living in a small store bought cage. I thought nothing of it before because I knew nothing of Guinea pig care. Now that I know I want to buy her a better cage for them. But my dilemma is that she have rats that free roam in the room with the Guinea pigs. She told me that when the rats climb the Guinea pig cage the pigs chatter at them. (Very dangerous, I know! I’ve warned her!) Where can I find a rat proof type set up for the Guinea pigs? Something the rats can’t climb and bother the pigs. Or if anyone has any other ideas or suggestions? Does anyone here have pet rats and Guinea pigs?

 

[Piggies&buns]

My knowledge of pet rats is limited but I do know they can fit through small gaps. A wooden hutch with very fine mesh on the front would probably be safest but ensuring the rats cannot get in through that front mesh is essential. For two boys, a cage/hutch needs to be 180x60cm (6ft x 2ft). Boars need a a lot of room for their more territorial natures and for it to not affect their relationship. However, changing cage needs to be done carefully as the change in environment can also cause them dominance issues.

Of course, encouraging her to not let the rats near the piggies would be best but there is only so much you can do to explain the dangers when they arent your pets

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

 

[Engel]

Ok I own pet rats and guineas. Massive no from me. When my pigs are out in the shed the rats can free roam in the room. However when the pigs are in (like they are at the moment) the rats are free roamed in the bathroom.

Rats can and will attack or even kill guinea pigs! It's incredibly irresponsible to let them roam while pigs are there for this reason. Not only that, a nasty bite from an upset piggy may amputate any toes or tails poking through the bars! Rats have a massive artery down the middle of their tail so can bleed out very quickly.

Guinea pig cage bars are typically 2.5cm apart (2") so even adult bucks can squeeze through them. While some larger bucks can be kept in cages with this bar spacing, if they determined, you won't stop them. If their head fits, their body will follow.

So what I'd do is find another suitable free roam area OR take the pigs cage out the room when free roaming and then bring them back in when the rats are back in the cage.

Make sure the rats have plenty to do in the cage as well that mentally stimulates them. You can let them out in the same room to run about for hours but there's little mental stimulation as it's the same space, nothing new to smell or explore/investigate.

How old are your nieces rats?

 

[KimmyKim]

Ok I own pet rats and guineas. Massive no from me. When my pigs are out in the shed the rats can free roam in the room. However when the pigs are in (like they are at the moment) the rats are free roamed in the bathroom.

Rats can and will attack or even kill guinea pigs! It's incredibly irresponsible to let them roam while pigs are there for this reason. Not only that, a nasty bite from an upset piggy may amputate any toes or tails poking through the bars! Rats have a massive artery down the middle of their tail so can bleed out very quickly.

Guinea pig cage bars are typically 2.5cm apart (2") so even adult bucks can squeeze through them. While some larger bucks can be kept in cages with this bar spacing, if they determined, you won't stop them. If their head fits, their body will follow.

So what I'd do is find another suitable free roam area OR take the pigs cage out the room when free roaming and then bring them back in when the rats are back in the cage.

Make sure the rats have plenty to do in the cage as well that mentally stimulates them. You can let them out in the same room to run about for hours but there's little mental stimulation as it's the same space, nothing new to smell or explore/investigate.

How old are your nieces rats?

Her rats are about 8 or 9 months I believe. And thank you for your response. I think I’m going to try and encourage her to use a separate place to free roam the rats.

 

[KimmyKim]

My knowledge of pet rats is limited but I do know they can fit through small gaps. A wooden hutch with very fine mesh on the front would probably be safest but ensuring the rats cannot get in through that front mesh is essential. For two boys, a cage/hutch needs to be 180x60cm (6ft x 2ft). Boars need a a lot of room for their more territorial natures and for it to not affect their relationship. However, changing cage needs to be done carefully as the change in environment can also cause them dominance issues.

Of course, encouraging her to not let the rats near the piggies would be best but there is only so much you can do to explain the dangers when they arent your pets

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

I didn’t know that Guinea pigs don’t like change in environment. I will definitely keep that in mind. Thank you! I’m going to look into hutches.