Ramps, yay or nay?

[RosieLily]

My piggies have a ramp in their cage. They absolutely love it. They fly up and down that thing like bullets.

However, Lily, for the second time now, has a small limp! She last had a limp about a month ago (front right paw) that was noticeable for two days (she got some Metacam, it was nothing but a minor sprain). Now it's the left front paw, and I think it's the ramp somehow :/

I gave her a dose of Metacam, I've removed the ramp for now, not sure if I should put it back again. Has it ever caused you problems? Or is my Lily just really clumsy?

 

[tabelmabel]

I have always had a ramp and it only ever became a problem for an elderly arthritic pig. Well, i never noticed a problem as old Benson was still up it and down it but, once x rays revealed severe arthritis, the vet suggested single storey living for him.


I suppose it's one of these things you are the best judge of. How old is Lily? Could she be arthritic?

Could your ramp be adapted to make it less steep or adapted in some way to slow your piggies down on it?

 

[Mother Hubbard]

I love ramps for pigs, I think it's good to use their muscles differently and they do like to be elevated I find. However I agree with tabelmabel in that the type of ramp, has it got sides, what the flooring is to grip too, steepness, and one you can get caught out on is there an option for them to cut the corner and jump off early! I've seen them do that before.

 

[RosieLily]

I have always had a ramp and it only ever became a problem for an elderly arthritic pig. Well, i never noticed a problem as old Benson was still up it and down it but, once x rays revealed severe arthritis, the vet suggested single storey living for him.


I suppose it's one of these things you are the best judge of. How old is Lily? Could she be arthritic?

Could your ramp be adapted to make it less steep or adapted in some way to slow your piggies down on it?

Lily is only around 10-12 months old :/.

The cage I have is excellent by all means, it's from Kavee cages and the ramp is not steep at all. Not sure how I could slow them down though, they really go full speed on that thing as it makes funny noises when they do that. I think it entertains them.

She was already a bit better this morning, I will see how she goes.. Rosie misses her ramp, she has her little house up top, so I'll put it back once Lily heals. But if it happens again then I will remove it :/

 

[Bill & Ted]

My Bill and Ted used to charge up and down the ramp we had in our bunny ark as part of their outside run. They used it from being very young so were very confident. The two girls were adopted at around 7-8 months old and had obviously never used a ramp and it took them a little while and help from Ted to build their confidence to first use it. Once that had happened they zip up and down with no problems. As long as ramps are not too steep and high then most piggies seem to enjoy them from my experience. I suppose the other downside can be with smaller cages they can take up and interrupt ground space
I have Hector and Kiki too now, I wonder what they will make of a ramp, we will see this coming summer?

 

[RosieLily]

My Bill and Ted used to charge up and down the ramp we had in our bunny ark as part of their outside run. They used it from being very young so were very confident. The two girls were adopted at around 7-8 months old and had obviously never used a ramp and it took them a little while and help from Ted to build their confidence to first use it. Once that had happened they zip up and down with no problems. As long as ramps are not too steep and high then most piggies seem to enjoy them from my experience. I suppose the other downside can be with smaller cages they can take up and interrupt ground space
I have Hector and Kiki too now, I wonder what they will make of a ramp, we will see this coming summer?

Lily was a bit suspicious of the ramp as well but now she charges at it with such power the entire cage shakes.

I've seen so many pictures and read a lot about your boys Bill and Ted, I can imagine them zooming up and down their little ramp like total goofballs. Bless them.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Lily was a bit suspicious of the ramp as well but now she charges at it with such power the entire cage shakes.

I've seen so many pictures and read a lot about your boys Bill and Ted, I can imagine them zooming up and down their little ramp like total goofballs. Bless them.

Yes, they were total goofballs thank you so much. It’s lovely that Lily is enjoying her ramp too it looks a great cage and ramp!

 

[tabelmabel]

Lily is only around 10-12 months old :/.

Not likely to be arthritis then scatter a load of veggies on it - than will stop them short term!

 

[alpacasqueak]

Lily was a bit suspicious of the ramp as well but now she charges at it with such power the entire cage shakes.

Same here with Jasper and Cleo, they wouldn’t go near it for the first week, now make such a blooming racket flying up and down it hundreds of times a day! Funny piglets Hope Lily feels better soon x

 

[RosieLily]

Just an update!

My sweet Lily is feeling a lot better. Although I had to stop her from zooming last night, she’s been a smart piggy and has been resting. Rosie, her cage mate, is very gentle and protective right now. It’s so sweet to see. Although Rosie is a bit of a drama queen and the boss in this house, she’ll always be there when Lily is poorly. I’m so very proud of them.