Does Your Pd Go Nuts Around Springtime?? - Paw Talk

babypd · #1 03-13-2003, 12:29 AM

Hello Fellow Prairie Dog Lovers!!!!!

I my gosh, my girls are getting out of winter sleepy hibernation and into crazy hyper almost springtime mode. Do you believe that my Precious will wake up at wee hours of the night - 2:00 am to be exact for the past month. She will paw at the cage and bite the cage non stop for hours.
This gets VERY ANNOYING

when you try to sleep and when you have to get up for work. I try not to take her out when she does this at night, due to the fact that she's really spoiled and always wants her way, but sometimes will take her out to sleep with me because I can't take the biting and scatching. I've also been noticing that their appetites are bottomless pits, I always monitor them about how much they eat, but when I give them their Prairie Delight, forget it, they act like it's going out of style. I would love some feedback about everyone's pd's. Are they starting to act crazy and hyper now that it's almost spring??
Let me know, YAHOO

**Scarlette** · #2 03-25-2003, 07:55 AM

Have you made a dig box yet?

I'm going to TRY to make one for them this weekend. If I get to it, I'll let ya know how it goes!:cool:

**Scarlette** · #3 04-02-2003, 08:41 PM

Ok, the weather has been really crazy this last week, so I was unable to steal some beach sand, but I did manage to remember to get a sterilite tub......so that is a 'little' bit of progress, right?

I'm going to take some chicken wire, attach it to the inside of the door of the bottom level, cut it to fit the pvc tube, then cut a hole in the sterilite tub to fit the other end of the tube. That way, if they get too annoying with the digging at night, I can disconnect the tube from the wire inside the door and still be able to shut the door. Sounds good in theory, right?

babypd · #4 04-08-2003, 03:43 PM

I would attach it to the door too, because you know how bad and crazy these little stinkers can get, mine are being so bad right now!! Let me know when you have everything completed, and if you can , show us a pic of this dig box creation!!!

Dallas · #5 04-16-2003, 07:54 PM

Chicken wire may be dangerous. Also - if your pd can chew the wires - sounds like you need a new cage. The wires should be spaced 1/2 x 1. They can't chew them.

Chewing the cage will create damage to their teeth and nasal cavitys down the road - so please be careful?

Martin Cages has some decent ones that aren't too pricey. Just ensure that you look for full floors so they don't fall.

I have a custom cage from Betsy Callis - Betsy's Custom Creations. We picked it up when we got the Trio as pups. It was expensive - but worth it. We were able to turn it into two cages after spay/neuters since they had to be apart for 10 days. Peanut had a huge guinea pig cage - but luckily she didn't bite the bars.

Just my two cents worth..........

**Scarlette** · #6 04-16-2003, 09:20 PM

Actually Dallas, I do have a Martin's cage and the spacing is 1/2 X 1 and they are able to chew it. Here's the link so you can see what cage I'm talking about. Cage Link
They only chew in a certain spot on the middle floor.

I have a PVC tube going down the middle "ramp" so they don't forget about that hole and fall down it. I have a little wooden hidey house under the top balcony, and another PVC tube stuck under the bottom balcony so they can step down from them if they feel to lazy to walk to the ramp.

I would absolutely love to get a cage from Betsy's and I'm still trying to save up for one.

I was re-thinking chicken wire because I can't find anything I feel safe using. I'm thinking of going with plexi glass. It'll be tough to cut a hole in it without cracking it, but I'm going to try it. Do you have any suggestions for cutting it without cracking it? I was thinking of setting the tube on it, drawing a circle around it, then taking a heated nail to poke through it in a few areas so I can get a start on it.

Dallas · #7 04-18-2003, 05:01 PM

Hmmmm - that's a good cage you have too. I know Betsy's cages are expensive. We were lucky we could afford it at the time - plus add in a third pup! hehehehe

How about using 1/4 inch plywood? If you cut a few sheets for spares you can change them around. Then if the pups chew the wood it's no big deal.

The bad thing with Plexi is it scratches. I need to get new inserts for my doors. The plexi on the sides is fine - luckily!

I think the best way to cut the plexi is to put masking tape on both sides, then draw your line. Cut it with a new jigsaw blade. I'm sure it comes in different thickness - so maybe a 1/4 inch?

I bought them a hanging toy with colored rawhide They ate half of it - and what's left they use as a boxing bag! It's hysterical! I have to fund a new one but I don't remember where I got it!

Glad you knew where I was coming from on the cage - and didn't get mad.

It's tough to find safe things for these little waddlebutts!

**Scarlette** · #8 04-18-2003, 05:18 PM

Nope, I wasn't mad at all about the cage. I welcome ideas and appreciate it when people are concerned for an animal's safety.

I did have to laugh when you suggested it though....Everyone that recommends cages says the same thing, then I have to disagree and point out that they actually CAN chew them! I thought for sure when I got that cage I wouldn't have that problem (I actually have 4 of those cages....3 for the chinnies), but those little buggers have no problem chewing it. I have noticed that they are doing it less.

Who knows what goes on in their little minds!

Ya know, I never thought about plywood.....I must've been having a bottle blonde moment. It will probably be hard to find untreated stuff but I'll look for it. Thanks for the idea!

I had one of those hanging chew toys for my girls but they didn't want anything to do with it. It went untouched in their cage for 3 months. I finally gave it to one of my chins.