Piggy Won't Or Can't Use The Ramp

[isaacspiggy]

My gorgeous new piggy isn't used to the ramp In his new cage, any tips on how to encourage him to try it?

 

[katanamoon]

Hello and welcome!

Does your ramp have any sides to it, or is it enclosed? It could help him feel more secure.

You could also lay a trail of treats up it for him

 

[Flutterby]

I agree with the tips above Also it helped my piggies (once I knew there wasn't a problem with them actually getting up and down the ramp, just a confidence issue) to put them 'to bed' at night on the top level so they would have to travel down in the morning. They had everything they needed up top but veggies were always on the bottom. They soon go used to it

 

[isaacspiggy]

Oh I could try to cover the area where the ramp is so he could feel a bit more secure, as in its not exposed the side nearest the ramp? It isn't enclosed itself, so could help?

I love the idea of fresh food in piggy lounge and dry in bedroom, will try that immediately, he loves all fresh food, cucumber is a fave, so hopefully I can help him learn, thank U x

 

[Flutterby]

Once I was sure the ramp was secure and easy for them to get up and down then I knew it was just a confidence issue because they hadn't used one before. It only took a few days for my ladies to get used to it.

 

[Stewybus]

You could also add some carpet tile or door mat to the ramp for better grip.

 

[isaacspiggy]

He's very close! Taken brocolli from right at the top in attempt to get him up to bed, then waddles back down

 

[isaacspiggy]

Sat in lounge watching piggy piggy and he's up! He's in bed! Having a late night snack lol

Thanx for all the help x

 

[ashleigh]

Agreed , add some sides and make a trail of their favourite-but healthy- treat and make a big pile at the finish line. Alternatively you could put them upstairs and put the food downstairs in eye sight so that they had to come down to eat, or vise versa.

 

[isaacspiggy]

We've put carpet sections down the ramp for grip, he gets up no probs but not coming down on his own. Think ill remove food from bedroom during day and if he's not come down after a couple of hrs of it being gone then I'll have a rethink!

 

[squigglies]

I had a ramp tunnel made. As had the same problem, my girls wouldn't go down after much encouragement but now no probs. Worth an investment definitely.

 

[Adele waters]

i'm struggling with my pigs using there ramp, brought them a new cage and its been about a week now with no movement of them using the ramp. I've put food trails, and they have got just under half-way, but thats it, they appear t have given up as i can get them to go a quarter of the way now but then they go back down. Think i might try the advice of putting them upstairs at night and see if the venture down. I've recently brought them an fleece tunnel to put around the ramp so I'm anxiously waiting for that to arrive to give that a whirl.

I just want them to use it now and have them take advantage of the extra space.

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

Some guinea pigs take time to use a ramp. They need to have some encouragement if they're nervous about using it.
-Treats leading up the ramp (veg, when you haven't given them their morning veg yet)
-Ramp tunnel, piggies may feel safer
-Is there any grip on the ramp- Carpet, fleece?
-Lift them up manually to the top compartment, then they should work how to get down.
-Is the piggy old, some guinea pigs lack motivation to go up a ramp once getting old?