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Small pets

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Original poster

How can I contain my 3 pigs for short periods indoors?

16 replies

FredWorms · 12/02/2013 23:47

...and keep those poos off the carpet?

I see someone uses a paddling pool but that would be too big, I think, or can you get smallish ones? (off to ebay)

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 13/02/2013 01:20

T'other day we put the boars in the bath tub (empty with a towel on the base to stop them slipping)
They were very judgey. GP1s sides were heaving. (They had a bath a few weeks back and didn't enjoy it)
But DD had to go downstairs, I was cleaning their cage. And we needed to contain them.

But they were Hmm

Naoko · 13/02/2013 01:27

How long for? If it's just while you clean the cage, I'd use a cat carrier, it's what I do with my rats. Doubles up as a transport mechanism to the vet too.

FernieB · 13/02/2013 08:44

You can get pet play pens (try amazon) which are not too expensive and they fold away as well. If it's only while you clean them out, I'd do as Naoko says and stick them in a cat carrier. If it's for longer, then some kind of pen for them to have a run and play.

I've just ordered a pet play pen so that my boys can come in the kitchen with us during the day. They are allowed to roam freely in the conservatory but there's nothing they can chew there (except the rabbit) - in the kitchen, they could do a lot of damage.

Original poster
FredWorms · 13/02/2013 09:19

It's for longer periods. During the summer they free range on the lawn but it's too wet at the moment (and I need to try to conserve the grass, it's looking a bit sparse out there and the mud patches are growing!).

OP posts:
PointeShoes · 13/02/2013 09:24

Well you can get playpens of ebay. We just put a big fleece blanket on the lounge rug, out some tunnels and boxes about and hay. They don't go of the edge of it! Don't know if its un usual or what, my pigs are quite shy. And they're 3 1/2.

PointeShoes · 13/02/2013 09:28

My pigs hate baths, I usually wash them on the floor in a washing up bowl. Once tried them in the bath with a tiny bit of water in ( even made sure it wasn't to cold with a mat in there!) and one of them tried jumping up the side, literally flew at in so had to rescue her, wasn't impressed! They keep really still when I do wash them now, which isn't very often cuz I always think they're going to die of shock !

Original poster
FredWorms · 13/02/2013 10:38

I should say the paddling pool would be empty! It's just a good, waterproof method of containment I imagine, with newspaper/hay etc over the base.

OP posts:
FernieB · 13/02/2013 11:28

You can get smaller paddling pools - I've seen some in the past which are aimed at very young children and they are quite small. Just had a quick look and Amazon/Argos had a couple for £4-6. They'll keep your carpet protected.

I'm waiting for the pigs play pen to arrive and will let you know what that's like. I've gone for this option as I can remove the bottom of it so they can roam on the kitchen floor. Think the kitchen floor will be easier/quicker to clean than the bottom of a pool, but I don't have carpet to consider.

BonkeyMollocks · 13/02/2013 13:38

I have two of these www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Joy-Indoor-Run-Elements/dp/B000V9KIU2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360762598&sr=8-1 - to stop my two getting to places they shouldn't in the kitchen - one will no way be big enough!

Its not so much the poo with me its wee.

LittlePig is a sod for weeing and then running straight through it - therefore spreading it further than wee should possibly go Hmm

BonkeyMollocks · 13/02/2013 13:39

Actually I lie - I have three - the different one comes compleatly apart so i use the odd grids as and when....

Mine are similar to the one linked - not the same!

Evenstar · 13/02/2013 14:32

I bought this Pen and combined it with one of these Tray I put newspaper down on the bottom and just put them some food and drink and toys in and they are quite happy

Evenstar · 13/02/2013 14:34

I should add I have 2 large Swiss Teddies and have just got a baby, so it is a good size and definitely big enough for them to have some indoor time during the winter.

bluebump · 13/02/2013 14:37

I have an indoor run/dog pen type thing and it has a waterproof base sheet that comes with it. You can make the run smaller if needs be as it's individual panels, it is quite huge but i've resigned myself to losing the corner of the lounge where they are until Spring! In the summer you can pop it out in the garden with tent pegs to hold it down and a net and sun shade go on the top to keep cats/birds from getting them (they came with it). It was about £20 on ebay I think.

alemci · 13/02/2013 14:49

i use an old bath mat but I only have 1 and he doesn't move about much (bad leg) and he doesn't like tiled floor. They certainly poo loads.

sometimes pop him on large plastic tray on newspaper.

Original poster
FredWorms · 14/02/2013 14:24

I bought a £3.99 paddling pool from argos (thanks FernieB).

I think it'll be great; lightweight, portable, waterproof, washable, versatile. I haven't tried them in it yet, they're currently shredding paper as they free range in the dining room. That can't go on though, it's only a matter of time before we discover that "raisin" in the dropped cookie isn't actually a raisin Grin

OP posts:
FernieB · 15/02/2013 09:16

Hope they enjoy their paddling pool.

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