New home! Am I missing anything?

[Isla&Steve]

Hey, so since we got the boys last week I have been thinking their cage seemed a bit small for them even with them being so small (120cmx50cm) I then found out from the forum that I was 100% correct (why do P@H say that the cage I have is suitable for 2 guineas? They have agreed to refund the cage as it is not fit for purpose), so we have 5x2 C&C on its way! (And we are having to completely rearrange the living room so it can fit ), I just wanted to check that I have everything that I will need, I have decided to move to fleece liners as bedding (from Kaveecage) as I am sure that Kronk doesn't get on with shavings as he doesn't sneeze at all during floor time where there are no woodshavings in sight, do I need to put anything underneath the liners or do they work by themselves? And does anyone have any suggestions for hay trays?

Also, as some may have seen Kronk has recent worked out how to get on top of his tunnel, this isn't an issue in his cage or play pen because he can't get out however the C&C cage isn't as tall, are there any suggestions on how I can make sure that he doesn't jump out of the cage or would it just be safer to not put the tunnel in the cage and leave it for floor time only?

 

[RosieLily]

Hi!

Your set-up sounds awesome! I also have my fleece from Kavee cage, it's good quality stuff so they work perfectly on their own . Just make sure you put them inside a laundry bag when washing, else it can mess up your machine! For hay, personally, I use a cat litter box :')

Everything my Rosie climbs, I have tried to move away from edges of the cage, as she is quite adventurous as well.

Most pet shops sell cages that are too small for guinea pigs, it's quite sad, really. Your boys will love their new home!

 

[Zanzan]

My Beatrice is also a climber and explorer in a c &c. I think you're right to move the big tunnel out for floor time only. I just make sure any possible climbing items such as houses are on the side against the wall and there's nothing climbable (is that even a word?!) on the 'open' sides and we have always been fine.

 

[Sweet Potato]

As long as the tunnel is not near the edge he should be fine. I'm sure they'll love the extra space. Sadly we fell for the too small pet shop cage too when we first got our boys it took us a year until we had the space and money to replace it I do wish they just wouldn't sell them. Every time I see someone buying one in pets at home I want to let them know but I'm never brave enough.

 

[Isla&Steve]

Hi!

Your set-up sounds awesome! I also have my fleece from Kavee cage, it's good quality stuff so they work perfectly on their own . Just make sure you put them inside a laundry bag when washing, else it can mess up your machine! For hay, personally, I use a cat litter box :')

Everything my Rosie climbs, I have tried to move away from edges of the cage, as she is quite adventurous as well.

Most pet shops sell cages that are too small for guinea pigs, it's quite sad, really. Your boys will love their new home!

That’s great to hear, I completely forgot to see if anyone of the forum had stuff from Kaveecage but it had good reviews, glad to hear that it was a good choice It really is sad that you can’t really trust pet shops when it comes to things as important as the amount of space that your piggies need, I’m just so excited to give them the space they need

 

[Isla&Steve]

My Beatrice is also a climber and explorer in a c &c. I think you're right to move the big tunnel out for floor time only. I just make sure any possible climbing items such as houses are on the side against the wall and there's nothing climbable (is that even a word?!) on the 'open' sides and we have always been fine.

That’s a very good idea, I’ll see if there is a gap between the wall and cage when it arrives because honestly I do not trust Kronk not to stick his head in any gap he finds but it should be fine (also I think climbable is probably a word, it just probably isn’t used often lol)

 

[Isla&Steve]

As long as the tunnel is not near the edge he should be fine. I'm sure they'll love the extra space. Sadly we fell for the too small pet shop cage too when we first got our boys it took us a year until we had the space and money to replace it I do wish they just wouldn't sell them. Every time I see someone buying one in pets at home I want to let them know but I'm never brave enough.

It really is terrible, 120 is the biggest cage they sell and the website does actually say suitable for 2 guinea pigs or 2 dwarf rabbits! I had guinea pigs growing up and honestly finding a photos of my childhood piggies and the cage that was definitely smaller than 120 I feel absolutely terrible but unfortunately we were none the wiser because the shop said that it would be fine. I’m going to have to move my desk to face a wall and move a few bookshelves but it will be worth it to give them the space they need.

 

[Bill & Ted]

It really is terrible, 120 is the biggest cage they sell and the website does actually say suitable for 2 guinea pigs or 2 dwarf rabbits! I had guinea pigs growing up and honestly finding a photos of my childhood piggies and the cage that was definitely smaller than 120 I feel absolutely terrible but unfortunately we were none the wiser because the shop said that it would be fine. I’m going to have to move my desk to face a wall and move a few bookshelves but it will be worth it to give them the space they need.

Yes, most pet shops sell the barest minimum size for most pets and guinea pigs and rabbits seem to suffer the worst. A 120 x 60 cm cage is the minimum size for two guinea pigs. A pair of boars do need more room. You are not alone in changing the size of your cage after a few weeks or so, a lot of us have been there, me included. I started with a 100 cm double decker as a “surprise“ buy from my OH then a 120 cm and then a 160 cm. Luckily we got our boys in late spring so had an outside hutch and run so they got space during the day and came in at night to their “small“ double decker.
The main thing is once you find out you need to improve their living space you try your best to do so x

 

[VickiA]

Well done on getting a refund. And your piggies are so lucky to have found their home with a caring owner who is doing their research and giving them such a lovely enriched life.

 

[Isla&Steve]

@RosieLily how long do your Kaveecage liners take to dry? Their cage and liners are arriving today and I read that I’m going to have to wash the liners first to make sure they wick right so I’m just trying to work out if we can do the move today or if we’ll have to wait till tomorrow

 

[RosieLily]

@RosieLily how long do your Kaveecage liners take to dry? Their cage and liners are arriving today and I read that I’m going to have to wash the liners first to make sure they wick right so I’m just trying to work out if we can do the move today or if we’ll have to wait till tomorrow

Actually I have no idea. I wash them every 4 days myself, as per instructions (30 degrees + spin at 1200rpm), then I leave them out while I clean the rest of the house - they usually stay there for a few hours while piggies enjoy their floor time.

Wish I could be more helpful, ugh!

 

[Isla&Steve]

Actually I have no idea. I wash them every 4 days myself, as per instructions (30 degrees + spin at 1200rpm), then I leave them out while I clean the rest of the house - they usually stay there for a few hours while piggies enjoy their floor time.

Wish I could be more helpful, ugh!

Thank you, that’s still really helpful I’ll just have to play the move by ear