New piggies New cage

[Heid]

Hi my piggy friends
I'm New to this site and to keeping guinea pigs. So I decided on a five level cage 5 Tiers Rolling Small Animal Rabbit Cage Guinea Pig Chinchillas Hutch Play House thinking of it being a space saver for my little home. My problem is my 7 week old boys won't use it. How can I encourage them to use it ? I've tried putting food on each level. Thanks x

 

[Siikibam]

I’m afraid space saving isn’t something you can (or should) do with guinea pigs, especially boars. I would strongly advise you buy a new cage as soon as possible. The cage that you bought them is not at all suitable for guinea pigs.

If it’s the one I found then even the platforms aren’t usable. The dimensions also mean it falls short of the minimum 120x60cm for a pair of sows, a sow/boar pair or a single piggy. This space is a requirement for one level. Additional levels don’t count towards space because guinea pigs aren’t naturally climbers. They’re ground roaming animals so need the space to be in one level.

Boars need minimum 150x60cm, although we now recommend 180x60cm being better. Your boys are still young but when they reach their teenage months (4-14 months of age), lack of space can be the nail in the coffin of their bond.

When you do get a new cage, use the soiled bedding from their current one when you move them over. This will reduce any kerfuffles that may occur due to territory change.

Depending on where you got them I would sex them to be sure. If they’re from a reputable rescue then it should be fine. If they’re from an individual, breeder or pet shop I’d strongly advise you double check. I’d also book them in for a vet check. When did you bring them home?

Have a read of the guides I’ll link below. I’m sorry you have been misinformed.

Vet Locator
New Owners' Most Helpful How-To Guides and Information
Cage Size Guide
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

I know it’s a lot to take in so read through and ask any other questions here. I hope it’s not been too overwhelming. We all want you to help keep the boys’ bond intact.

 

[Piggies&buns]

with @Siikibam entirely.
Sadly, this cage isn’t appropriate for guinea pigs (or rabbits). Guinea pigs need their cage to be, and meet size requirements, on one level so they can run about on a large flat surface.
As siikibam has said the cage needs to be a minimum of 150x60cm but 180x60cm is recommended, otherwise your boys could fall out over lack of space and have to live separately.

One upper level is fine (such as I’m the c&c cage pictures in the link below) but the cage still needs to be big enough on the ground level (upper levels don’t count towards the cage size), plus any ramps need to be at a gradual slope and have sides on them as piggies don’t like to use ramps if they feel unsafe.

Can you sell the cage and buy something more appropriate?

In addition to the useful guides that have been linked in above, the guide below gives you ideas for cages
Member Gallery: C&C cages/homemade cages

 

[Heid]

Thanks guys I'm gutted wish I had joined this forum before the purchase. I'm going to complain to the company as I've spent a lot of money and they sold it as a rabbit/guineapig cage. Luckily at the moment they are still very small and they get taken out alot. So gives me a week or 2 to try and sort out a home that they will love and deserve

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s so sad that inappropriate cages are still sold.
I know you say they aren’t going up the ramps, but is it possible to remove or block off the levels for now as they are really rather dangerous if your piggies do venture up there.