"Switching it up" fun or stressful?

Scooter Pie

Scooter Pie

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Regarding switching cages two separate pairs live in.

Both enclosures are 2x4 c&c, one rectangular and the other a 3x3 square with a missing coner, more chunky shape.

I want to flip their positions for logistical reasons as they live in our main living space of course 🥰

Would you say chainging a pig's cage shape like this is too stressful? They would keep their same "view"/position in the room.

Photos included. Imagine the long skinny cage along the window and the chunky cage to the right of the chair 💖CD9B7BBE-1BEB-40F4-AF8C-9C1A803CE42E.webpF32B0469-7A53-41AD-81FA-3844C6111547.webp
 
I wouldn't think that's an issue. From my experience with my piggies, they love a change around and always found it t exciting. I tried to change things inside their enclosures daily and changed shape and position of enclosures too They loved exploring and seeing what I'd done for them.

They will be in the same room with the people they trust so I would say they would be fine.

Unless of course you have a piggy that hates change. My mum's piggies hated her changing anything at all once they'd got used to things.

My mum had girls and I've only ever had boys so I don't know if boys are perhaps more easy going?

Give it a go and see if they like their new view xx
 
Cool! I said to my husband it should be fun for them. "Confuse a piggie" to appeal to his monty python humor. Of course I do all the work but sometimes he gets the idea he should have an opinion 😆

Looks like my one pair will need to spend most of the day in a floor time pen in order for me to get everything washed and moved around. It'll be my pair that doesn't currently have a member with a medical issue. I do think they get stressed being right on the floor for too long. I'll have to make it extra cozy.
 
Any change in environment has the potential to cause them to go into a period of reestablishing their hierarchy.
Reusing soiled bedding from their old set up in their new set up can help mitigate as the new space will still smell like them.

Its potentially worse with boars, not all but some boars - changing the territory of boars can cause big problems for some and it’s recommend to not change the environment for them unless necessary.
 
Piggies&buns said:
Any change in environment has the potential to cause them to go into a period of reestablishing their hierarchy.
Reusing soiled bedding from their old set up in their new set up can help mitigate as the new space will still smell like them.

Its potentially worse with boars, not all but some boars - changing the territory of boars can cause big problems for some and it’s recommend to not change the environment for them unless necessary.
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I found with my boys that if Dexter was being a bit of a pain to Rory, if I changed things around and gave them new things to explore, it would make things easier because Dexter would then be so excited to explore and enjoy himself that he forgot about pestering Rory and then they were okay again.
They are all so different and I guess that wouldn't work for others.
It just seems to be a bit of trial-and-error to see what works and what doesn't
 
I dont think changing them around should be too stressful especially if you follow the advise given by @Piggies&buns and aren't doing it frequently. As small prey animals it is very important for them to know the layout of their territory in detail so that they know the fastest route to the safest hiding place from any given point within that territory. What many people intemperate as piggies enjoying checking out a new layout excitingly, while being stimulating for them, can be causing them some level of stress (which in turn can contribute to the possibility of fallouts)
 
Pound Shilling & Pig said:
I dont think changing them around should be too stressful especially if you follow the advise given by @Piggies&buns and aren't doing it frequently. As small prey animals it is very important for them to know the layout of their territory in detail so that they know the fastest route to the safest hiding place from any given point within that territory. What many people intemperate as piggies enjoying checking out a new layout excitingly, while being stimulating for them, can be causing them some level of stress (which in turn can contribute to the possibility of fallouts)
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Got it...that makes total sense. Since it's with pretty good reason I'm doing it, I think I'll go for it but do everything possible to minimize stress 🐷🐷💖🐷🐷
 
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