Guinea pig toys and play

Guinea pigs can get bored if they don’t have any stimulation, and toys can help with that.

the first thing you need to keep in mind is that guinea pigs are prey animals and need place to hide, such as hidey houses, tunnels, or even a cardboard box with a opening cut into it. there should be at least one hiding place per guinea pig in the cage. other then hiding spots, what else can you give them?

• you can stuff a paper tube with hay or make a hidey house out of cardboard, but if you do use cardboard as a toy for them, make sure the box was not used to store anything toxic to guinea pigs, its clean, and all glue and tape residue is gone. Never give your guinea pigs colored cardboard, the dye can be toxic.
• Chew toys. many people think that guinea pigs need chew toys because of their constantly growing teeth, this is not true, is constant access to hay is really all they need. however, many guinea pigs enjoy chew toys, so you should find out if your guinea pigs like them. if you do buy them, make sure the wood is safe, not dyed, and not treated with any chemicals.
• Tunnels, guinea pigs love running through and hiding in tunnels
• Forage toys, these can be great stimulation and encourage your guinea pigs natural foraging habits.
• Treat balls. these balls are filled with treats, and have a small opening to give your guinea pig a fun challenge when rolling it around. to teach them how it works, roll it around a little yourself to show them, so they understand.
• Guinea pig bridges. these can be quite fun to run across for a guinea pig.
• small animal hammocks. these are comfy and fun and most guinea pigs love them.

Toys to avoid

• Hamster wheels. these are bad for your guinea pigs back, give them a large cage with plenty of space to run around in for exercise!
• hamster balls. for the same reason as the wheels, they are bad for their backs. your guinea pig can free roam without a ball, just make sure to remove any hazardous items.
• Climbing toys. guinea pigs aren’t mean to climb, unlike many other small animals, so climbing toys can be unsafe.
• Chew toys with dyes, plastic, or chemicals. while chew toys can be fun, make sure they are safe!
• toys with paint. paint can be toxic
• Hay balls. A hanging hay ball may seem like a fun way to serve your guinea pig hay, but its pretty dangerous as they can get their head stuck.
• Leashes and harnesses. even if they are advertised specifically for guinea pigs, the strain they cause on the guinea pigs back is bad for them.