Indoor Guinea Pigs

[SqueakyPig]

I’m hoping to get some inspiration for an indoor cage set up! I currently have two female sister pigs, approx 1 year old. They’re currently in the Ferplast 140, and they seem pretty happy with their set up.

I’ve got two baby girl pigs, also sisters; who will be joining me in about two weeks when they’re old enough to leave the rescue where they currently are with their mum. My dilemma is, I was only originally going to get one new pig, and I was hoping that they’d all live together in the Ferplast (I have a spare for emergency separation for illness/fighting/introductions).

However, I’ll be adding two new additions so the Ferplast really won’t be suitable, and I’m struggling to find an indoor cage big enough for four piggies?

The rescue suggested a C&C cage, but we also have cats who enjoy perching on top of the Ferplast, so I don’t think that the C&C is a viable option? I was thinking about maybe getting a double story indoor cage, but I’m worried that piggies would struggle to coordinate the ramp?

And if I went double story I wouldn’t do it with young babies, so they’d have to live in two pairs for now, unless I could get away with them all in the Ferplast while the babies are so teeny?

Really what I’m asking is do any of you piggy experts have any advice or suggestions? Is there something I’m missing or not thinking of?

There is a Ferplast 160 online which gives a bit more space . I saw a massive rabbit cage in Jolleys - deep plastic tray , good height space under the bar upper bit.

I don't have cats but my DBro cat was visiting, I made a lid for our C&C cage - you need a load of the grid to overlap for strength and a way to secure them.(I used a few cable ties on one side then one to secure on the side I opened) and something in the cage ( cardboard box housie) to support the lid weight . That's without the risk of lardy cats sitting on top

I've used their BunnyBusiness runs in an emergency and when they were in for a couple of nights over Guy Fawks .
If it had the wire roof as a floor it needed lined .( I used cardboard as it was a quick fix) If it was right was right way up (so having a roof) you'd need a plastic base (like the C&C base or there's a canvas one in the Midwest range) . We used cardboard as the floor and tarpaulin underneath to protect (but it doesn't stop their mess getting every bleeding where)

Or - dog crate ? They have a metal base and you can get them 2nd hand in really big sizes (good bargains on Gumtree , you'd need to collect and give them a good steam clean) . The bar spaces would be too big for piglets , you'd need a mesh round the base . Pigsafe chicken wire , make sure there's no sharp bits .

I've seen some Pinterest pins for rabbit cages made from furniture ( Ikea Kallax) or a TV unit !

My lardies don't like ramps so we need one-level-living .

(I'd keep the guineas and sell the cats myself )

You can get tops for c&c cages. I have one as we have a cat. But actually she pays no attention to them so we haven't put it on. We just make sure the cat is not left in the room with the guineas. I like the open top approach as it's much easier to engage with them and they don't get freaked out by my inability to put a top back on without making a racket!

You can make c&c cages with lids.

My cats never bothered with my pigs as they moved too slowly - however that's not a guarantee yours won't!