Whether you just brought your first guinea pig home or have had your furry companion for some time now, it is essential to learn about their exercise requirements to make sure they remain happy and healthy.
We know that most other house pets, like cats and dogs, enjoy playing with and gnawing on toys, which provide them with plenty of exercises.
But what about guinea pigs? Do they play with toys? Let’s find out!
Do Guinea Pigs Enjoy Playing with Toys?
Yes, guinea pigs love to play with toys. Good-quality toys designed for guinea pigs can keep them occupied for hours on end.
It is important to understand that guinea pigs need exercise and playtime to stay active and happy.
They are curious by nature and love to chew on more than just apple sticks. So, it is always a good idea to provide them with appropriate toys.
Like most small animals, sometimes, guinea pigs like to hide as well, especially when they are stressed or sleepy.
In order to make sure your pet remains comfortable in its playpen, you can get a toy guinea pig hut that will act as a makeshift hideout.
It’ll keep things interesting in the playpen for your pet and you will also enjoy watching your guinea pig hide around their tiny home.
Best Toys for Guinea Pigs
If you are wondering how to keep your guinea pig entertained and active, here’s a list of some of the best toys for guinea pigs.
Your furry friend will thank you for it!
Treat Ball
Guinea pigs don’t only enjoy chewing but it is also an essential part of their healthy routine. Therefore, one of the best toys you can get for your guineas pig is a treat ball.
You can hide a healthy treat inside the ball and enjoy it as your guinea pig tries to take it out in the most adorable manner.
The treat ball will also keep your pet on the move around the cage or playpen, making sure it gets adequate exercise every day.
Furthermore, it will also keep your pet mentally stimulated as they try to figure out ways to get the treat.
Toy Tunnels
Like most other small animals, guinea pigs love running through tunnels.
Shuffling around tunnels, chasing one another is a fun activity for them.
Furthermore, since a tunnel makes a good hiding place, it also gives guinea pigs a sense of security. This is why toy tunnels make the perfect present for your pet.
You can place them strategically around the cage or playpen to create an interesting course for your guinea pig.
You can also hide treats inside the toy tunnels to give your guinea pig a pleasant surprise as it explores the tunnels.
Toy Hammock
A toy hammock for guinea pigs will make sure your pet gets all the exercise it needs and also has a comfortable place to rest.
Since a toy hammock will be hung a few inches above the ground, your guinea pig will have to climb up and down or jump out of the hammock.
Luckily, guinea pigs enjoy jumping just as much as they like running around and gnawing on treats so it is almost certain that it will love a hanging hammock.
You can also couple a toy hammock with tunnels to make things more interesting. This is your chance to get creative.
Place a tunnel strategically so that it leads to the hammock or place a hammock between two tunnels to connect them.
Whatever you do, a tunnel-hammock combo will make an intriguing course for your curious pet.
Chewable Barrel Roll
When it comes to guinea pigs, chewing is more than a fun pastime. It is a healthy activity that promotes teeth health.
This makes it important to provide your pet with plenty of chewable toys. One particular toy that your guinea pig is likely to enjoy is a chewable barrel roll.
It will fulfill their intrinsic need to chew while the rolling action of the barrel will keep them on the go around the cage of the playpen.
Perfect to keep your guinea pig happy, healthy, and active, a chewable barrel roll has a high chance of quickly becoming the favorite toy of your pet.
Toy Guinea Pig House
While guinea pigs are adorable and make delightful pets, they are also sensitive and can stress out easily.
From loud noises to the introduction of a new fellow in the playpen, a lot of factors can stress them out.
Stressed-out guinea pigs often look for places to hide and relax.
Therefore, to make sure your guinea pig remains comfortable and feels safe, it is essential to provide them with hideouts.
This is where toy guinea pig houses come in. They make the perfect hideaways. Even if your guinea pig is not stressed, it will still enjoy resting inside a small toy house.
Teach and Treat Toys
Did you know that you can teach your guinea pigs to find a hidden treat? Guinea pigs are smart animals, which makes them fun pets.
With the right treats and toys, you can play small, fun games with your pet.
However, you may have to teach your guinea pig how to search for treats with interactive, teach and treat toys.
Woven or Willow Play Balls
Play balls make the best toys for guinea pigs.
They are cute, appealing, and provide wholesome playtime. Keeping cage boredom at bay, play balls for guinea pigs satisfy their natural need to chew.
Apart from that, since the ball rolls around as your guinea pigs gnaw on it, it also makes sure your pet doesn’t laze around all day.
There are different kinds of play balls available in the market. You can look for woven ones or opt for willow branch balls to take the playtime of your guinea pig to the next level.
You can also keep mixing them up to make sure your pet doesn’t get bored of playing with the same ball.
Seesaw
Watching guinea pigs going right and left on a tiny toy seesaw can be a lot of fun. It is also fun for your pet and provides them with a unique way to relieve boredom.
A small seesaw toy in the playpen will make sure that your guinea pig is never bored again.
It will also provide plenty of exercises to keep your pet active and healthy.
Keep in mind that guinea pigs love seesaw toys so don’t be surprised if you see your pets pushing each other off the seesaw to take turns!
Hanging Buffet
A hanging veggie basket is a perfect way to make sure your guinea pigs stay active as they nibble on clean veggies.
Cut small pieces of their favorite vegetables and stash them in the veggie basket.
Hang the basket at the side of the cage and let your guinea pigs work their way to get the treats.
They will enjoy the workout and the treats will make sure they remain happy as well.
Apart from vegetables, you can also use a hanging buffet to provide alfalfa, hay, or any other healthy treats to your furry friends!
Hideaways
Hideaways are an essential part of the playpen for guinea pigs. It’s not really a toy but your pets still have a lot of fun hiding and relaxing in a hideout.
There are multiple types of hideouts for guinea pigs available in the market.
You can choose one for your guinea pigs based on the kind of habitat you have created for them.
For instance, if your guinea pigs have a large playpen with plenty of space to move around, it is best to go for large toy houses or block hideouts.
On the other hand, if your guinea pigs reside in a cage, try to look for a hideout that will take up less space while still providing your pets with the privacy they need.
Tips for Buying and Using Toys for Guinea Pigs
Here are a few tips that can help you buy the right toys for your guinea pig to keep them healthy and healthy.
- Avoid exercise wheels: Guinea pigs are not the same as hamsters or rats. They generally don’t enjoy exercise wheels and there’s always a chance of injury. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid getting an exercise wheel for your guinea pigs.
- Introduce new toys: Guinea pigs are smart animals and can easily get bored of playing with the same toys. The trick is to replace or switch the toys regularly to keep your pet interested and active.
- Clean the toys: The importance of cleaning the toys of your guinea pig cannot be emphasized enough. To promote a healthy habitat, make sure you clean the toys every time you clean the cage. This will prevent bacteria buildup and ensure your pets stay in optimal health.
- Opt for wood toys: Guinea pigs love playing with wooden toys. They are also more durable as compared to toys made of plastic, paper, or cardboard.
Remember, when you welcome a pet into your house, it is your responsibility to look after them and provide them with a healthy environment.
So, make sure your cute and furry guinea pigs remain happy and healthy at your place by getting the best toys for them.
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