Hammock for guinea pig: how to choose and make it yourself?

Small rodents with charming eyes and delicate fur have been very popular with Russian and foreign breeders for many years. We are talking about wonderful guinea pigs. Fluffy "pigs" prefer to rest in a comfortable position most of the time. An excellent solution for guinea pig owners will be a hammock made with their own hands.

Unlike decorative rats, the guinea pig has short legs and cannot climb over all kinds of obstacles. Therefore, a hammock is the ideal place for her. It will become an excellent shelter for the animal and a place of relaxation after outdoor games. First of all, the breeder needs to know that the legs and spine of the animal are rather weak. In this regard, a highly suspended hammock will only bring inconvenience to the pet.

The animal can make a bad jump and get a serious fracture. The "bed" for fluffy "pigs" should have excellent tension and be fixed between the two walls of the "dwelling". The most comfortable height is 6–8 cm from floor level.

First of all, you need to decide on the choice of material for the future hammock. A dense material that does not creep and does not absorb odors is best suited for these purposes. The fact is that fluffy animals love to mark their territory.

Use jeans, cotton, or fleece to make an accessory.Note that silk and satin fabrics are not recommended. Besides, do not use synthetic materials. The fact is that synthetics, when in contact with animal hair, form static electricity. In this case, the hairs "stand on end" and the guinea pig experiences discomfort. You will also need strong ropes to attach your hammock. They can be made from the remnants of fabric or braid.

To sew a hammock, you will need the following set of tools:

• sharpened scissors;
• a set of needles, threads;
• sewing machine (optional);
• felt-tip pen or pencil (bright colors);
• cardboard (for a hammock house);
• buttons and ribbons for decoration;
• filler fabric (cotton wool, synthetic winterizer or fleece);
• tape measure or ruler.

There are three types of hammocks for guinea pigs:

• straight;
• corner;
• hammock house.

The type of accessory will depend on personal preference and the size of the furry animal's home. If the cage has only one side exit, then it is better to choose a corner hammock. A straight "bed" is suitable for almost all cells, and a "house" implies the presence of a large space inside the building.

The process of making an accessory necessary for a fluffy pet does not require professional skills and knowledge. Having decided on the type of hammock, you can get to work.

This option is the simplest. So, let's start the process:

• we take a piece of dense fabric (jeans) and cut out two rectangles (50 cm long, 35 cm wide);
• fleece fabric will serve as a "lining", we also cut out a rectangular piece from it (less by 5-7 cm);
• we sew the edges of the denim from the seamy side (manually or using a sewing machine);
• do not touch one side - we should get a "cover";
• we turn the product onto the front side and fill it with fleece fabric;
• we sew up the remaining edges of the hammock and decorate the "corners" with a velvet ribbon (optional);
• at the corners of the product we create holes and insert strong ropes or carabiners into them;
• we attach the hammock to the bars of the cage.

This option is perfect for an animal's dwelling, where the door is located on the side. Algorithm of actions:

• take a piece of cotton and cut out two isosceles triangles from it;
• put a piece of padding polyester between the halves and sew the sides of the product;
• on the edges of the corner hammock we make the same holes and insert a dense rope (or braid) into them;
• we place the hammock in the corner of the cage.

This option is the most difficult. It will take some free time and patience to create it. The hammock house is intended not only for resting a fluffy pet, but also serves as a kind of shelter. He will happily hide a treat or toy in it. So let's get started.

• We make patterns of different sizes from denim - roof, base and back wall.
• First of all, we cut out two rectangles from the fabric and sew them on the seamy side.
• Next, we turn the roof of the hammock to the outside, insert a piece of cardboard into it and sew it.
• We take the largest piece of fabric, put a synthetic winterizer in it and sew it again.
• Next, we attach the base to the roof on both sides.
• Then we start creating the back wall of the house. We cut out two circles from the fabric (we are guided by the width of the base) and put cardboard in them. We connect the edges with threads and attach the back wall to the base.
• By tradition, we hang the product with dense ropes or braid to the top of the cage.

Sometimes, despite the appearance of an interesting little thing, the animal may not show proper interest in the hammock. In this case, put your favorite treat or toy in it. Note that in order for the guinea pig to get used to the new accessory, it takes a certain period of time. Therefore, do not force the animal to sit in a hammock without its desire. He himself must take an interest in it.

Naturally, the product must be washed regularly. Once a week is enough.If the fluffy "pig" stains the hammock more often, then it is better to refuse the accessory.

Note that guinea pigs will definitely taste the new accessory, so watch the product carefully. A hammock that has fallen into disrepair should be thrown away immediately. Also, pay attention that no threads stick out from the "bed" of the animal, and the decorative elements are large. For example, a badly sewn small button on a hammock can kill a furry pet.

For a video on how to make a hammock with your own hands, see below.