A bored guinea pig can get depressed and even sick. The good news is you don’t need expensive toys to keep them active and happy.
Cardboard boxes, paper towel tubes stuffed with hay, and simple DIY mazes all work great.
10 Ways to Keep Guinea Pigs Entertained
Follow these tips to keep your guinea pig healthy and entertained. Before you let your guinea pig out of the cage, make sure the room and surrounding environment are safe.
Remove chemicals, house plants, and other objects that are harmful and toxic to your guinea pig’s wellbeing.
1. Tunnels
Guinea pigs and other rodents have a natural instinct for digging tunnels, and tunnel toys will keep your guinea pig entertained for days. Due to their closed habitats at home, they can’t exercise their instincts freely.
However, there are toys you can easily install into a guinea pig’s cage such as tunnel-like objects. They enjoy drilling, so wrapping paper tubes are perfect.
The middle tube of kitchen towels is suitable too. Just put treats in the middle of the tube!
You can also use a rodent igloo made of plastics. Ensure the tube is open on both ends to avoid your guinea pig getting stuck while playing.
2. Stuffed Tubes with Hay
Using stuffed tubes with hay is entertaining and healthy at the same time. It’s economical and a favorite for your guinea pig.
Stuffed-hay paper towels make a great toy to play with and munch on.
You can add your pet’s favorite treat in the middle of the hay tube to make it extra special. This’ll help trim and keep their teeth healthy.
Guinea pigs also have fun going on food hunts. Tie a treat to a rope and drag it on the ground so your guinea pig can chase after it.
Then hide the treat so your guinea pig can look for it. Food hunts are very entertaining.
3. Cardboard Boxes
A cardboard box is an ideal fun house for your guinea pig. Make some holes in the side of the box and stuff different kinds of treats inside, then put the box in your pet’s cage.
This plays the role of a hideout and a snack at the same time. Guinea pigs often get bored even when they aren’t stimulated physically and mentally, so you want to keep them busy at all times.
You can easily make a maze from a used cardboard box. Be creative and add bridges.
Reserve a treat at the end so they get a reward when they complete the maze challenge.
4. Hay or Grass Chew Balls
Guinea pig chew balls are made from 100% natural ingredients and make an excellent toy. They’re a tasty treat that entertains and keeps your pet’s teeth at the right level.
To make this toy, you’ll need old socks filled with bedding materials. Tie the socks on one end and cut it.
Guinea pigs enjoy chewing and rolling these balls all around their cage.
A ping pong ball can also be quite interesting. Your piggy won’t be able to chew it, but they’ll enjoy pushing it around.
5. Paper Bags
Guinea pigs naturally like to play in their cage and hide in things. Cut holes in the sides of paper bags so your guinea pigs can sneak peek around them.
Make space in the paper bag so your guinea pig can run in and out. Start by hiding treats in the paper bag.
It’s inexpensive and you’ll have it at home on standby.
Paper bags make perfect toys because guinea pigs like the sound crumpled papers make. Avoid the use of plastic bags as these could suffocate them.
6. A Playpen for Free Time
Guinea pigs also have fun spending their free time outside the cage, like playing in an enclosed pet pen. This playpen allows them freedom and fun by going through all the sections.
Guinea pigs love to play with their buddies, and this playpen is a good avenue for them to link up. It’s ideal for every guinea pig owner to have.
It’s portable and makes a great addition for outdoor time at the park.
7. Chew Toys
Guinea pigs love treats but they also love toys. Your guinea pig will never get tired of chewing if you give them a chew toy.
Guinea pigs’ teeth are open rooted, so they need to chew regularly to keep their teeth in check. As long as you select high-grade, all-natural wood for guinea pig toys, these sticks are sweet and also provide health benefits by keeping your guinea pig’s teeth trimmed.
You can also give more chewing options like wicker toys, shoebox castles, and plain wood. Avoid any guinea pig toys that have sharp edges, and make sure you keep their teeth clean and healthy.
8. Giant Labyrinth
This game has similar features to the tunnel/maze building, but you’ll need more space and a bit more money for this project.
To carry out this project successfully, you’ll need cardboard boxes and cardboard tubes. Cut open the tubes to make sure your guinea pig doesn’t get stuck.
Make holes in the cardboard boxes the same size as the tubes, then use duct tape to hold everything together.
Once the building is completed, add your pet’s favorite treats throughout the giant playhouse so your guinea pig can explore and have fun.
9. Tug of War
It may take some time for your guinea pigs to understand this game, but once they do, you’ll be happy with the results. Get a clean old sock, stuff it with hay, then tie a knot so the hay doesn’t fall off.
The aroma of the hay will attract the guinea pigs to take little bites on the hay socks. Apply a gentle and soft touch on your own end of the tug.
The game usually ends with your guinea pig dragging the hay socks around their habitat.
10. Racing Pigs
If you’ve successfully trained your guinea pig to come when you call its name, this is the game for you. This homemade race track will make you laugh and keep your guinea pig entertained.
Create the track by placing rows of low heavy items on a straight or curved line. Let your pets know you put a treat at the other end so they get motivated to run.
Once your pets grasp the game, you can start timing the runs for extra fun. You can also use an exercise wheel to give your pet some exercise.
11. Treats
Guinea pigs are sociable animals, and they love treats. They enjoy being rewarded, and treats help diversify their meal menu.
To ensure proper muscle stimulation, keep the treats in areas that are hard to reach so they can stretch and stand on their back legs. The sweet aroma of food encourages guinea pigs to play and explore their surroundings.
Hide bits of treats like carrots inside the cardboard or paper tube and place it in their cage for them to explore. Hang a variety of fruits around the cage to keep your guinea pigs running around and staying fit.
Fruits like apples, carrots, and cucumbers are good options.
You could also surprise your pet with a special treat. Fresh fruits, seedless grapes, and red or blueberries add variety to their diets.
Guinea pigs are social creatures. They don’t like to be excluded, so it’s a good idea to place the cage in an area where they can see people and be aware of their environment.
What Do Guinea Pigs Like to Do for Fun?
Give your guinea pig activities and things to explore. That shouldn’t be hard because they love treats and toys.
A small ball in the cage goes a long way. Keep them busy chewing or playing during the day, even when you’re not around.
Guinea pigs are naturally intelligent and curious. Building a routine helps them enjoy activities even more.
A large cage gives them room to roll and play. And you don’t need to spend much since most materials are already at home.
Final Thoughts
Watch for this: guinea pigs are social animals and they love company. Regardless of how much you love your pet, they still need a companion to play with and communicate.
These are just some of the ways you can keep your guinea pig entertained. With two guinea pigs and a good rotation of toys and activities, there’s much more fun for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aim for at least one hour of direct interaction every day, split into smaller sessions if needed. Guinea pigs also need free time outside the cage each week to explore. Even when you can't play directly, having toys and a companion in the cage keeps them stimulated.
Some cat toys like small balls can work, but always check that they're non-toxic and don't have parts that could be swallowed. Dog toys are usually too large and heavy. Stick with guinea pig-specific toys or simple DIY options like cardboard tubes and paper bags for the safest results.
Single guinea pigs get bored and lonely much faster than pairs. Guinea pigs are herd animals, and a cage mate provides constant social stimulation that toys alone can't replace. If you can't get a second pig, you'll need to spend significantly more time interacting with your pet to prevent depression.
A bored guinea pig may chew on cage bars, become lethargic, overeat, or stop interacting with toys entirely. Some will also overgroom themselves or develop repetitive behaviors like circling. If you notice these signs, it's time to add new enrichment, rotate toys, or increase your daily playtime.
