pigs dont seem bothered but...

[Username]

I worry about my cat giving them stress.

Their cage(s) is off the floor on tabletops. They have a lid on to keep cat out. But my cat still will sit on the desk next to the cage and stare. He also tries to bat at them every so often.

They dont seem bothered by this tho. They will stare back while eating hay and sometimes act like they are trying to play with the cat...like taunting him. When the cat bats at them or tries to be on the table with them (there is a small space behind the cage on the window sill the cat can fit on) i tell him no and put him on the floor/in his cat tree. Still, the pigs dont seem threatened by his presence...

Its ME thats worried. Will the cat overexcite the pigs? Will the cat stress them out? I cover their cage at night and it creates an "out of sight out of mind" for the cat.

I think i just worry a lot :/

 

[Wiebke]

I would try to block the are behind the cage, but by what you are describing, your piggies are definitely not bothered. they have worked out that they are safe from your cat where they are.

I had a similar experience with one of my piggies decidedly provoking the builder's fascinated shepherd (who was one big softie).

 

[piggie-power]

You want to see my guinea pigs with my dogs!

If the dogs go anywhere near my oldest guinea pig he rumble struts at them - what do my dogs do? Run away sulking!

If my guinea bruce is sat on my lap he will wheek and wheek until the dog goes near him (knowing full well the dog will get told off) once the dog has been told off and he's moved away - bruce will start wheeking again until the dog comes back! If the dog ignores him bruce starts running up and down the couch to get the dogs attention!

And my guinea winnie willow will roll carrots off my knee to feed the dog who will be sat waiting patiently for her to do it!

Personally i think you should watch your cat for stress not your guinea's lol

 

[Bekki]

My brothers dog came to visit and she cowered and nearly weed when Georgey ran at her and stood on his legs to say hello!

 

[Claire W]

My cat will walk up and sniff at the pigs but as soon as they look at him or move, he runs away It doesn't help that the pigs like to kiss and squeak at Harrison rolleyes

Just make sure that your cat is never left alone with the pigs (whilst outside the cage) and that he can't get to them in anyway.

 

[SpinningNickel]

My indoor cat is a big baby. When Picchu was a few months old, he was playing on the floor and the cat was sitting a short distance away all stalker-like. Picchu took a run straight at him like a charging bull and the cat did a suspiciously-popcorn-like move and fled in terror!

Now Machu will come right up to the edge of the cage and touch noses with Gizmo (the cat), the popcorn all over the place, the movement of which REALLY winds Gizmo up! I swear he's doing it on purpose.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. At this point they probably don't see him as a 'predator.' The cat is a larger presence that has never harmed them in any way, so they probably think it's as natural for him to be hanging around their cage as it is for you.

 

[Username]

Thank you!!

<3

 

[JayneG]

Lol the dogs face is such a picture!

I don't think you have anything to worry about if they don't appear bothered. Just don't give any opportunity for the cat to actually get to them outside the cage. My neighbours cat started coming in our house and would go up and look at my pigs. They're v mosey so one of them would come to the bars to check out the cat with no fear and the cat would back away looking all scared!