New cage adaptation

[Melokay]

Hello, we got our first guinea pig four months ago. We had a small cage. 3 days ago finally we finished our 2 floor wooden cage. But i’m not sure if our girl likes it. She always sits on a small floor where ramps are connecting. She is not that much active around the cage. We also change the bedding. I’m not sure if she is happy or she doesn’t like the new environment or the bedding. She used to be much more energetic :/ does anyone experience something like this?

 

[DMS260820]

Hello, we got our first guinea pig four months ago. We had a small cage. 3 days ago finally we finished our 2 floor wooden cage. But i’m not sure if our girl likes it. She always sits on a small floor where ramps are connecting. She is not that much active around the cage. We also change the bedding. I’m not sure if she is happy or she doesn’t like the new environment or the bedding. She used to be much more energetic :/ does anyone experience something like this?

Hi and welcome to the forum, you need to get another guinea pig for a companion, kept alone, guine pigs will just eat and then sit about. Been there and experienced it myself when I was new to it all.

If you do get a companion, make sure it's a neutered male or another sow. You have to go through the bonding process first. There are guides on the forum about it. I have tried to find it and can't at the moment lol.

Someone link it in please

 

[PigglePuggle]

Is she a lone pig? Piggies do much better with friends, they are social animals and usually the bolder pigs will show the shyer ones how to use new things. Or they'll try it out together, one exploring while their friend keeps guard. I've only ever had single pigs while in quarantine and they weren't very happy at all...

 

[Alison c]

Great advice from above....but I would love to see piccys of your new cage and your lil girl xx

 

[Swissgreys]

Is it possible to post a picture of your set up?
Guinea pigs don't naturally like going up and down ramps, but this can work if the ramp isn't too steep or is covered.
If you can share a photo we can offer more specific advice.

 

[Fantasimo]

Maybe she just needs time to get used to it? Change can be a big thing for a guinea. Maybe she’s overwhelmed by all the space. The best idea is to scatter some food around to encourage her to forage/explore. If the next morning the food is gone, then you’ll know where she’s been

 

[Melokay]

Thank you for all great advices. I spread her foods all around the cage so she goes up if she needs water or hay but other wise she stays in her spot. I’m sharing the photos. Please share your thoughts and let me know what i am missing. Do you think i should change the cage again?

 

[Swissgreys]

I think there are a couple of things you could change for her.
Currently the ramp is very steep (for a guinea pig) and very open.
Could you lift the bottom up or extend the ramp to make it less steep?
It would also benefit from sides or even a tunnel over the top of the ramp to make it seem less scary.

The cage also doesn't really offer her anywhere to hide, and as she is on her own she will be feeling quite nervous.
Can you put in a couple of boxes with doors cut in them? Maybe one on each level.
I would also try covering the sides in the top part to make it less 'open'.

Of course the absolute best thing you could do would be to find her a companion - many quiet and shy guinea pigs really come out of their shell when they have a friend around.

 

[Alison c]

Thank you for all great advices. I spread her foods all around the cage so she goes up if she needs water or hay but other wise she stays in her spot. I’m sharing the photos. Please share your thoughts and let me know what i am missing. Do you think i should change the cage again?

Hiya lovely someone with more experience may give a better answer...but going off my own guinea pigs and looking at your set up there is no where for your piggy to hide.
And I think where guinea is in the picture is a little hidden, she needs a house or tunnel I think as they love hiding I have 5 houses in my boys bed plus tunnels and boxes maybe you could put one of those fleece corner hideys in I'll try find a piccy for you xx

Apologies if you have a house and I just haven't seen it lol x

 

[Alison c]

Hiya lovely someone with more experience may give a better answer...but going off my own guinea pigs and looking at your set up there is no where for your piggy to hide.
And I think where guinea is in the picture is a little hidden, she needs a house or tunnel I think as they love hiding I have 5 houses in my boys bed plus tunnels and boxes maybe you could put one of those fleece corner hideys in I'll try find a piccy for you xx

Apologies if you have a house and I just haven't seen it lol x

This is the type of thing I thought of and definatly a new friend xx

 

[Melokay]

Thanks for great advices i will put some house and hiding place for her. The thing is she wasn’t shy before this cage. She was really joyfull that’s why i’m concern about this cage.

 

[Alison c]

Thanks for great advices i will put some house and hiding place for her. The thing is she wasn’t shy before this cage. She was really joyfull that’s why i’m concern about this cage.

It just takes them time to get used to her new cage.... she probably just hasn't settled in tidy yet ,give her time.
follow the advise given by these wonderful guinea pig peeps and I'm sure it'll 'll be fine. keep us all updated xx

 

[Swissgreys]

What was her old cage like?
Do you have a photo of it?

Has she moved to a different place/room?

 

[Melokay]

Update as you recommend i put more hiding places. We made a cardboard house and covered her bed with fabric like a cage. She is much more happier, she adapted her cage and she reorganize her stuff by pushing them and create some new spots for herself thank you so much for your advices, it’s so nice to know that there are people like you who supports and helps heartily glad to be here thank you so much again <3