From: dwilbert@bbn.com (Deborah Wilbert)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: guinea pigs - cages, problems with shavings
Date: 6 Apr 1992 18:52:35 GMT
Organization: Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc., Cambridge MA
Reply-To: dwilbert@BBN.COM (Deborah Wilbert)
NNTP-Posting-Host: bbn.com

In article <1992Apr3.144325.29@wums.wustl.edu> wugcrc@wums.wustl.edu writes:
>    I just can't see the aquarium as a good solution for the following reasons:
>1)  Weight - aquariums are a LOT heavier and bulkier to maneuver.
>2)  Cleaning - more difficult to clean - cleaning the surface of the glass on
>both sides.
>3)  Dangerous - like all glass items, the chance of breakage and cuts is exacer-
>bated by point 1, above.
>4)  (most important) lack of ventilation and evaporation.  Aquariums are great
>for creatures that need a moist, swampy environment, but they're awful for 
>animals that need fresh air.  Guinea pigs are prone to skin infections, and 
>wet cages is no good for that.  Secondly, since they will urinate in their
>cages, the urine won't evaporate as quickly, so, not only will  the cage stay
>wet, the ammonia will not evaporate as quickly also.
>5)  Due to #4, heat will be retained in the aquarium during warm weather, which
>could cause heat prostration for a small furry animal.
>   Just to put this into perspective, would you ever think of putting a puppy
>or a kitten in an aquarium?  True, it does fix the shaving problem, but it could
>cause serious health risks to your guineas.  I've seen 2 guinea pigs die from
>a swampy cage environment.
>    Of course, a larger aquarium would help out, but that would compound the
>first 3 points, as well as get to be more expensive.
>    the ideal solution would be as follows (and we are speaking here of keeping
>guinea pigs inside a house or apartment, not outside or in a garage in a hutch).

>1) Adequate room for the guineas to run around.

Regarding size, the hand-me-down aquarium I use is considerably larger
than the cage my GP used to live in (I got my GP when she was already
3 years old from someone moving out of state). Probably about twice
the length.  Since the aquarium was a parents' attic special, aquarium
cost wasn't a consideration.

>2) A way for the guineas to easily see what's going on outside the cage, but a
>way for them to hide from the world as well (a box in the cage usually does it).
>3) Ease of cleaning.

I have a box inside the aquarium. I've tried a number of different
approaches and the one she seems happiest with is nespaper covering
the long sides of the aquarium, with the two end uncovered, and a box
inside the aquarium. I don't think she likes all four sides to be
exposed, even with a box available. At any rate, having the two long
sides covered makes cleaning a snap. Even without the sides covered,
using the wire mesh floor, cleaning is pretty easy.

>4) Durability.
>5) Lightweight.

The aquarium certainly is heavier than a cage. However, I have very
little cause to move it so it isn't a problem. Also eliminates the
danger of moving it. If someone were to move their GP frequently, I
guess it would make sense to get a lighter-weight cage.

>6) Adequate ventilation.

By constructing a wire mesh "drop floor", most of the problems of a
swampy cage are obviated. I'm sure the "air quality" is somewhat lower
than any cage would be, however. Since we have air conditioning, I
don't think heat prostation in the summer will be a problem (although
I won't be able to conserve energy during the day). To the best of my
knowledge, she hasn't had any problems with skin diseases or parasites
(although I have had her for less than a year).



In general, I've been pretty happy with using the aquarium, and my GP
seems pretty happy with it, too. She seems glad to get back home after
a longish bout with the outside world, even when it's filled with
treats. The air quality issue does concern me, though. I'll have to
check it out and see how bad it gets. I may decide I need to clean out
the cage more frequently as the weather gets warmer.



-Deborah