Guinea Pig Toys
Guinea pigs need toys and home comforts in their cage to help make them feel secure, comfortable and occupied while in their cage. If you can, provide a large enough cage that will hold cage accessories like tunnels and hidey houses, this will help to keep your guinea pigs stimulated and happy. They can also use cage accessories for when they are having safe free range time. This is even more important if their cage is small and your unable to fit many accessories in the cage without it seeming like an obstacle course. Please don't overcrowd a cage as guinea pigs do need to be able to run freely. Of course, one of the most essential ingredients to help keep your guinea pig happy and occupied is for them to have another guinea pig as a cage mate. But you can also enrich their lives by providing them with lots of things to do. You may find that some guinea pigs will totally ignore certain cage accessories, others may adore them, just experiment to see what your guinea pigs enjoy. To prevent boredom of always having the same items in the cage, swap things around each day, this will help to keep their interest. Remember the number one rule, whatever you put in a guinea pigs cage, it must be safe. Here are some cage accessories that my guinea pigs love. I have provided a few links at the bottom of the page as to where some of my piggies cage accessories can be bought.
Tunnels, home comforts and hiding places
One of the most enjoyable things you can add to a guinea pigs cage are tunnels and little houses for them to run through or to relax in if they want to spend some time on their own. They will also use the houses and tunnels as bolt holes if they become afraid, a safe place they can quickly retreat to. Here are photo's of some of tunnels and houses my piggies use, both inside their cage and outside in their safe play areas. Remember to never leave your guinea pigs unsupervised outside in the garden. Also, make sure the area you use for your guinea pigs to have some free range time is safe.
Cardboard tubes
Guinea pigs adore travelling through tunnels and you can hide a vegetable treat or some tasty hay inside them. Caution: Please make sure the tunnels are wide enough so your guinea pig can run freely through them.
Fabric Tunnels
They are flexible and safe for guinea pigs to nibble on. I actually bought the larger rabbit version as I found the guinea pig version too small in height. My guinea pigs love going through them and the larger rabbit version is big enough for piggy to stretch out and have a nap. Caution: Make sure there are no sharp edges and regularly check the log tunnel for damage.
Plastic igloos
These are also great and they ar made out of really hard plastic so they are fairly durable. These are fantastic for guinea pigs that like to have their own special place for when they feel the need for some peace and quiet. They are washable too, so are very easy to keep clean. Caution: Some guinea pigs do like to chew on them, so if you have a guinea pig that is constantly nibbling on the plastic, its best to remove the igloo, as you don't want the plastic causing an intestinal blockage.
Homemade Tunnels
You can also be a little creative and make your own tunnels and houses using cardboard boxes. Depending on the shape of the box, you can cut out the top and bottom of the box and line the inside with newspaper. This will help to make them last a little longer. In addition, depending on the size of your cage or outside play area, you can add more cardboard tunnels for extra entertainment. You can also make a cardboard house. Cut the base of the box out and make an arched entrance hole, large enough for piggy to enter. If using the cardboard house outside the cage, place some newspaper underneath to avoid your carpet becoming damp. Like my guinea pigs, you may find they will use it as a toilet area. You will find that they will quickly become damp or soiled, but they are easily replaceable. Look in large super markets near the check out area. Often they have boxes for customers to use for their groceries. Caution: Its very important that you remove all tape and staples before giving them to your guinea pigs. Stick to plain cardboard boxes and avoid using brightly coloured boxes in case the dye used is harmful to your guinea pig. Remember guinea pigs will like to nibble on the cardboard, so its best to be cautious.
Plain paper bags
Although most shops tend to use plastic bags these days, you may find your local fruit and vegetable shop will let you have a few for free or you could offer to buy a few for a few pennies if they have plenty of bags in stock. Caution: Never use plastic bags, they can cause an intestinal blockage.
Adorable nylon tents
They have a removable fleece base so they are easy to wash, quick drying and are also very comfortable for your guinea pig to sleep in. Caution: Some guinea pigs may be tempted to chew the nylon and if you find this happening, it would be best to remove the tent or just allow your guinea pigs to have the tents when you are supervising them.
Other items
My guinea love empty toilet rolls, they love sculpturing them with their teeth and throwing them about. You can also hide hay or a vegetable treat inside. Making a ball out of a sheet of black and white newspaper is also enjoyed. Another fun way to make your guinea pig work a little harder, is to provide a hay rack.
Dangerous items
Please never use exercise wheels or exercise balls that some pet stores sell for guinea pigs, they could badly hurt your guinea pigs spine. A guinea pigs body is not designed to use wheels or exercise balls, leave these type of toys for the more agile hamster. Avoid any toys with small parts that can be chewed through and swallowed.
Click here for some toy ideas