Guinea pig cages: What would be the best option? Okay, I have a 2 year old female - Aby- Who's cagemate - bec died in January. The cage I have for them is actually too small for 2 guinea pigs, and this led to them, not fighting exactly, but mounting, and all that. Bec's death had nothing to do with that, but now Aby is really needing a cagemate, she was always the more dependant one, and whilst they were never the cuddly type they did often play together and were hardly a foot away from each other during floortime (they get the run of the living room).
I'm going to start looking for new cage mates for her, and we'll be getting 1 or 2, and so we need a new cage. I know how to introduce them and everything (hours of internet research lol).
I've tried for a C&C cage, but no matter where we looked we couldn't find anything to use as cubes, or anything to use a choroplast. We do have towels and fleece for cage lining though!
Anyways What would be the better option: Getting this cage: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Liberta-Retreat-Indoor-Rabbit-Guinea/dp/B0043U66ZG/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top which is 12.9 square metres. The ramp and shelf are both wire so I'll be covering that with this sort of thin wood stuff we have, and putting this weird material on the ramp so they don't have difficulty.
Or getting a cage like this, with multiple floors (not like a hamster cage!) http://pets.overstockwarehouseonline.co.uk/Rosewood-Flora-500-Small-Animal-Cage_i67789
That particular cage is about 12 square feet, but then there's the ramp and the hole for the ramp in the top floor, so I'm not sure if you'd really count that.
If you can suggest anything else that would be good too I'd appreciate it.
Cost isn't too much of an issue, because my mums willing to help out with the cost and i'll pay her back later.
We'll get the new piggies from a rescue by the way, failing that I'll check newspapers, internet for ads of people wanting to get rid of theirs, and if not then we'll contact the breeder we got Abi and Bec from. No pet shops for us!
Oh god yeah sorry I meant sq Ft not metres! If only I had the room and money for a 12SqMetres cage though ahah!
I can't get a C&c cage, my mum won't allow me to order one because the shipping to the UK is ridiculous, I've already gone down that road
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Out of the two, the first cage is better because it is roughly the equivalent of a 2x4 C&C cage so that is a better size, but it would still be on the small side for 3 guinea pigs. It also looks like it would be hard to reach into the cage because I can only see two small doors in the picture. The second cage is not a good choice because upper levels don't count towards the total floor space so it is a very small cage and the steep ramp is dangerous because guinea pigs aren't great climbers and if they fall off it, they will injure themselves. If you have to pick between the two cages, I would go with the first one, however a C&C cage is still your best option. I live in the UK too and know how tricky it is to find supplies over here! For cubes, try DIY stores or office supply stores like Staples. You can buy them online on some websites that stock shop fittings, because cubes were originally meant for shop window displays. You can also search on Ebay or Amazon using words like wire, cube, grid, panels, storage system, unit, display. If you still can't find cubes, you can build a cage with just coroplast, provided you build the walls high enough to prevent the guinea pigs from jumping out. 'Piggiepigpigs' on Youtube has built both of her guinea pigs cages out of just coroplast. I believe the sides of the walls are 9 inches and she has had no problems with her guineas getting out. Coroplast is used to make signs so look in the Yellow Pages under 'sign makers' and you should be able to find a local one. Call them up to see if they will sell you a sheet and for what price. A sheet will be around £15, anything more than £25 and they are ripping you off! Sheets of coroplast/correx are usually 8 feet by 4 feet, which is enough for a 2x6 cage. Ask how thick it is aswell - 2mm is very flimsy, 4mm and 6mm are better. If you are having trouble finding coroplast you can use linoleum instead, or even just shower curtains, bin bags, plastic roofing felt or anything else waterproof to line the bottom of the cage, just make sure it can't be chewed by the pigs. Or try a really thick layer of towels and fleece! I hope this is helpful to you! :)
