Piggies - holiday excercise arrangements

[egrorian]

I would greatly appreciate any advice. I have holidays coming up and need top leave my piggies in my Dad's care. No problem with food and watering but I am a bit worried about the daily excercising.

My Dad has little experience with handling and moreover, catching them once they have been out for their run around, as they can be very difficult if the mood takes them or they are not familiar with the people in the room (I also worry my Dad might stand on them or open a door when they are behind it). One of my piggies China is also very timid - he comes to me and climbs onto my hand when he realises he's been out his normal time in the living room but no way is he going to do that with my Dad, who is a stranger to him.

So, given I'm away for a week, what do people think about leaving them cage-bound for that long? I'm not happy about that as they are used to being out every day but at least I would know they'd be safe and I wouldn't be worrying about them while I was away all the time.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, many thanks.

 

[Sarah from Chucklebunnies]

They won't suddenly sicken or anything like that, but they might get a big podgy with very little exercise for a week.

Is it possible to teach them to go into a carrier, a home, pigloo, something like that? Use a treat they really like and make sure they know it's going home time. If you have something with a door on it then so much the better. Basically, can you set up a system with the piggies that your Dad could easily use? Something he could just put down in the livingroom, they would go inside, then easily put them back into the cage?

If this isn't possible, can you put a ramp to the cage so that they will go back in on their own? Then to exercise them it's just a case of putting the ramp down into the run. I am talking about a short ramp here, not a long one. So you might have to put the cage on the floor to do this.

If neither of these can be done, then I am at a loss. It would depend on your Dad's confidence in handling and if he really doesn't feel he can then it's best if he doesn't even try.

All the best!

 

[CiaraPatricia]

I agree that if your dad doesn't feel confident handling them and catching them, then it might be better to leave them in the cage for a week. I'm just thinking they might go behind something, or under something, and get hurt while trying to get them out. Or that they'll be more scared than anything, with someone they don't know and all.

It's really up to you and what you feel is best, but if you are worreid about it, then they'll be just fine in the cage for a week. They might be a bit bored, but that'll just make it all the more exciting when you get home

 

[skrikopanik]

Cage on the floor and run outside is a good idea. Most likely the piggies will jump back on their own and if they don't your dad can always put some veggies in the cage and they will.

How big is the cage and how many are in it? Mine rarely get exercise time, but they are in a pen that's 180x100 cm, so it's like a run in itself...

 

[CiaraPatricia]

Cage on the floor and run outside is a good idea. Most likely the piggies will jump back on their own and if they don't your dad can always put some veggies in the cage and they will.

How big is the cage and how many are in it? Mine rarely get exercise time, but they are in a pen that's 180x100 cm, so it's like a run in itself...

Yeah that's a good idea, also your dad can herd them back in. If they get scared they can run back in, or choose not to come out at all if they're really too scared to.

 

[egrorian]

Thanks for all the advice!

Both piggies did indeed do okay for the week without out of cage exercise and yes, Harvey in particular became noticeably fatter and heavier as a result!

I've generally increased their exercise time a little since I got back, although China - ever a creature of habit - starts squeaking when he feels he's been out long enough and it's time to go back to the cage (and the new food that is always waiting!)