Merv987
Junior Guinea Pig
I've heard piggies aren't good on ramps between levels, so it's good to have a side on it to stop them falling off, how big a side should it be?
Piggies And Ramps
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It's often more a question of how steep the ramp is. Some cope better than others, but the majority will take to a ramp with a gentle slope. Side don't have to be high, but they can make a piggy feel more secure on there, as can a tunnel on your ramp. How high up does your ramp go? Personally if it's high enough for a fall to hurt them (and really that isn't very high), the I would be tempted to put sides up high enough for a piggy to not jump off at the top end!
Merv987
Junior Guinea Pig
We'very got this cage.Indoor Double Corner Cage Rabbit & Guinea Pig by Little Friends
Thank you. I like the Little Friends range, nice sturdy cages 
But for some reason pretty much all multi-level commercial cages and hutches have steep ramps, and it's this that causes most of the issues with piggies not wanting to use them.
Give me a moment please, I will take photos of what I did to make ramps.....
But for some reason pretty much all multi-level commercial cages and hutches have steep ramps, and it's this that causes most of the issues with piggies not wanting to use them.Give me a moment please, I will take photos of what I did to make ramps.....
Righty. Here's some examples of some of my ramps.
This first one is long and gentle, and at the top I have made an area that they cannot jump from.
I note that for your cage you have some lea-way there to create a longer ramp, thereby making a gentle slope
Another shorter ramp with sides
And a ramp with a tunnel made from plastic garden mesh - it's bendy yet sturdy
For my ramps, for anyone who wishes to use this method, I take sturdy wire mesh, slightly curl up the sides at this makes the structure less bendy. Make sure you file the edges with a metal file if you use mesh like this.
I used paperclips to bend round for the hooks, though you can't actually see them in the photo.
Thread Velcro through. Use the rough side.
Take a piece of vetbed or similar, I recommend this as 1) it gives good grip, 2) it's comfortable for the piggies feet, 3) it's washable. I use the rubber-backed stuff so that wee doesn't soak through and spoil the metal. I'm sure you already know, but for people new to piggies please note you must use a cover for metal grids, else their feet get sore and it can even lead to a condition called bumble foot.
Anyway, sew the soft side of the Velcro on to the Vetbed, use the soft side as it washes better without picking up the fluff!
Hay presto, one easy ramp
Other materials you can use include drain pipes, it's just fixing the vetbed isn't so easy.
This first one is long and gentle, and at the top I have made an area that they cannot jump from.
I note that for your cage you have some lea-way there to create a longer ramp, thereby making a gentle slope
Another shorter ramp with sides
And a ramp with a tunnel made from plastic garden mesh - it's bendy yet sturdy
For my ramps, for anyone who wishes to use this method, I take sturdy wire mesh, slightly curl up the sides at this makes the structure less bendy. Make sure you file the edges with a metal file if you use mesh like this.
I used paperclips to bend round for the hooks, though you can't actually see them in the photo.
Thread Velcro through. Use the rough side.
Take a piece of vetbed or similar, I recommend this as 1) it gives good grip, 2) it's comfortable for the piggies feet, 3) it's washable. I use the rubber-backed stuff so that wee doesn't soak through and spoil the metal. I'm sure you already know, but for people new to piggies please note you must use a cover for metal grids, else their feet get sore and it can even lead to a condition called bumble foot.
Anyway, sew the soft side of the Velcro on to the Vetbed, use the soft side as it washes better without picking up the fluff!
Hay presto, one easy ramp
Other materials you can use include drain pipes, it's just fixing the vetbed isn't so easy.
D
Deleted member 114675
Great pictures Critter !
As has already been said - Guinea pigs are better with a ramp that has sides .
I have found guttering works well , with a bit of carpet stuck the the floor of the ramp for grip.
My hutch ramp has sides - and I use a ramp tunnel too.
As has already been said - Guinea pigs are better with a ramp that has sides .
I have found guttering works well , with a bit of carpet stuck the the floor of the ramp for grip.
My hutch ramp has sides - and I use a ramp tunnel too.
Thanks @Critter and @PiggyOwner. Great tutorial there on how to make a ramp x
D
Deleted member 114675
When I get a bit of time , I'd like to collate some pictures that have been posted on this forum and put them together on one thread .
A ramps thread with different ideas for how people have built their ramps? That would be a fab idea, I hope when you do so it turns into a sticky
x
D
Deleted member 114675
A ramps thread with different ideas for how people have built their ramps? That would be a fab idea, I hope when you do so it turns into a sticky
Me too ! It's finding the time to do it that's the difficult bit- will keep you posted!
BonBon2010
Adult Guinea Pig
I've found that when a Guinea pig is well and healthy, most can cope with a ramp, but as they become old and loose some of the muscle tone along their back, they don't bounce quite as well, and if they take a tumble off a ramp they can hurt themselves.
BonBon could easily jump from floor to the top of the house even just a year ago, but recent times she struggled, and I was tempted to remove the ramp to prevent injury. The new girl can easily jump from floor to roof despite her size, i'm talking about 6 inches, with a good soft bed of hay to land on. If you're talking about fleece, I wouldn't be quite so confident with the very young piggies either, along with the older piggy.
I would recommend a side to any ramp more than a 4 inch height, baring these factors in mind.
BonBon could easily jump from floor to the top of the house even just a year ago, but recent times she struggled, and I was tempted to remove the ramp to prevent injury. The new girl can easily jump from floor to roof despite her size, i'm talking about 6 inches, with a good soft bed of hay to land on. If you're talking about fleece, I wouldn't be quite so confident with the very young piggies either, along with the older piggy.
I would recommend a side to any ramp more than a 4 inch height, baring these factors in mind.
Hmmm. My large ramp used to have sides, you make a good point and I may turn it into a tunnel ramp
x
Having read of @BonBon2010 's experience I decided to fully enclose the long ramp.
Before:
After:
After with some fleece on top
This is Freddie and Oreo's tunnel ramp to their run. It's made of drainpipe with quilted fleece as flooring (though vetbed is better on ramps) and covered by stiff plastic garden mesh to make a tunnel. If piggies prefer, you can of course cover this mesh with material to make a lovely enclosed tunnel Note: This particular ramp has always been enclosed by the mesh - it's a must for one as high as this!
Oreo making her way down
The full ramp
Before:
After:
After with some fleece on top
This is Freddie and Oreo's tunnel ramp to their run. It's made of drainpipe with quilted fleece as flooring (though vetbed is better on ramps) and covered by stiff plastic garden mesh to make a tunnel. If piggies prefer, you can of course cover this mesh with material to make a lovely enclosed tunnel
Note: This particular ramp has always been enclosed by the mesh - it's a must for one as high as this!Oreo making her way down
The full ramp
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BonBon2010
Adult Guinea Pig
Nice 
Wish I had the space for a set up like that safe and happy Guinea Pigs x
Wish I had the space for a set up like that safe and happy Guinea Pigs x- Status