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Guinea pigs need toys and entertainment to keep their minds active and mood happy. Without toys, chews, and playtime, your guinea pig can become bored, leading to aggression. In this article are different toys that your guinea pigs will love you for and that will keep them healthy both physically and mentally. Check them out!
The 8 Toys Guinea Pigs Will Love
1. DIY Mazes and Agility Courses
Mazes and crash courses are an out-of-the-cage experience for your guinea pigs where they’ll get different scenery and tons of exercise. One of the best things about DIY projects is that you can put them inside or outside and use your creativity for your guinea pigs’ health.
When creating a maze and obstacle course for your guineas, it’s a good idea also to have new toys, delicious fruits, and hearty vegetables to keep them motivated. Most mazes and obstacle courses are made from cardboard, household items, and children’s blocks.
2. Woven Grass Play Balls
Anything that rolls around is super fun and entertaining for your guinea pigs, as they can play pass among each other or with you. Balls are beneficial as single-player toys for your pocket pal, as they can headbutt their ball and run toward it in a tag-like game.
The best balls for your guineas are ones that make a sound, like a cat toy. Hay or grass-woven balls also make good play and snack toys that benefit your guineas’ dental health.
A good DIY idea is to make tin foil balls with bells inside and a string hanging out. With stringed balls or toys, they can roll the ball and chase the string while also keeping their senses alert to sound. Always need to supervise your pet when they’re playing with these types of toys, as the bell and/or string can be a choking hazard.
3. Hideaway Tunnels
Tunnels are a fun way to attune to your guinea pig’s instincts. Since guineas are prey animals, they like to hide, run, and sometimes jump. A tunnel can be used in any play activity, whether you place it in a DIY obstacle course or roll a ball through the tunnel as they chase it.
Playtime is exciting and can become tiring quickly, so whether you’re using a tunnel, a hide with two open ends, or a shoe box, your guinea pig will always feel safe when they need a short break.
4. Hanging Chews
Any type of chew is beneficial for your guinea pigs. A guinea’s two front teeth never stop growing, so providing chews or hay helps break down the growing process and keep a healthy dental record.
It’s a good idea to provide your guineas with multiple chews of different flavors. Some can lay in their bedding or near their hides, while others are for hanging purposes. The hanging chews help your guinea pig stretch and use their muscles, so these are most beneficial.
5. Timothy Twists
Hay is healthy and required in a guinea pig diet. Timothy twists are hay-twisted sticks used for foraging and break times. Timothy twists provide your guinea pigs with the required fiber and essential nutrients. Always ensure your guinea pig has access to water, as too much hay and chews can increase dry mouth.
6. Play Walls
Play walls are hay or grass-woven walls with trinkets like wooden buttons and gadgets that are valuable to your guinea pigs’ needs. With hay walls, you can tie or attach them to your pocket pal’s cage, where they can reach or climb to get at the fun gadgets.
Ensure that you place the play wall at a reasonable height, as it will make it easier for your guinea pig to enjoy their toy. Guinea pigs cannot climb, so play walls must be placed low down.
7. Foraging Toys
Foraging toys include hay-stuffed toilet paper rolls, round chews you can hide in their bedding, and treat-filled balls or Kongs. Foraging toys can also be considered slow feeders.
Wild guinea pigs would forage their food from the ground or find low-hanging bushes for their next meal. Guinea pigs have become domesticated, but providing them with foraging toys to increase their natural instincts is always wise.
8. Fleece Hideouts
Fleece hideouts are extra fun for your guinea pals. What’s great about fleece hideouts is that they are cheap, easy to make, and effortless to set up. Fleece forests or corner hideouts allow your guinea to escape and still see out, as they’ll feel comfortable enough that no one can observe them.
Everyone needs a bit of me-time!
Toys That Are Inappropriate for Your Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are like babies. Anything you give them will likely end up in their mouth. Some toys you’ll need to supervise them with; others are just plain dangerous.
When it comes down to it, if you wouldn’t give your newborn baby the toy, don’t give it to your guinea pig. Small objects are choking hazards, and toxic plastics or toys with paint and metal will cause injury or illness.
Final Words
Toys that provide enrichment, like chews, DIY toys with hay, and foraging items, will help your guinea pig’s brain activity and align with their natural wild habits. Toys that require exercise, like obstacle courses, balls, and play walls, increase cognitive and physiological abilities. No one likes a bored guinea pig, so keep your pocket pal’s environment full of fun things to do.
Featured Image Credit: Anastasia Mironova, Shutterstock
