Did you know that guinea pigs need toys? They can get bored just like people, dogs, cats, and many others get bored. That’s why toys and guinea pigs are a perfect match. Toys provide mental stimulation that supports guinea pig well-being in numerous ways, including reducing anxiety, boosting cognition, and being entertaining. Some toys also provide physical benefits by encouraging exercise or wearing down teeth.
What Are Guinea Pig Toys
Almost anything that’s nontoxic, isn’t a choking or strangling hazard, and fits in their habitat could be a guinea pig toy. Always supervise your guinea pigs with toys, especially if you’re being creative with your toy offerings. Check the toys daily, and discard toys that get too dirty or wear out.
Many guinea pig toys are available at retailers. These include chew toys, balls to nudge, tunnels, food puzzle toys, and more. Homemade toys are another option and can include cardboard boxes (free of staples, tape, ink), rolls from paper towels or toilet paper that are stuffed with hay or a yummy treat, large PVC pipes they can walk through, and more. Search the internet for ideas, and use your common sense or consult a vet if you have concerns about safety.
Your guinea pigs’ food could also do double-duty as a “toy” if you hide the food to create foraging opportunities. And don’t forget the best guinea pig toy of all — you! Gently interacting with your guinea pigs to pet or train can be something they really look forward to, especially if they’re comfortable with you.
Types Of Toys
What toys should you give your guinea pigs? To determine your guinea pigs’ likes and dislikes, try giving them several different types of toys at different times and observe their behavior. The following toy types are some to consider, and you might discover a toy type all your own!
Puzzle Solving: These include toys that require manipulation or searching by your guinea pigs, usually to earn a food prize. Think food puzzlers and treat dispensers.
Hanging Toys: These are often toys with multiple purposes, and one is to provide a hanging object for your guinea pigs to interact with. This could be a bell, a chew toy, or a clip to hold a piece of vegetable. Mirrors or reflective objects can also be enjoyed. If you place them inside the cage, be sure they’re chew-safe.
Chew Toys: A top choice of many guinea pigs, chew toys are made from guinea pig-safe materials and satisfy guinea pigs’ urge to chew, chew, chew. Plain wood blocks, willow balls, chew sticks, grass mats, and more are some to consider.
Action Toys: Keep your guinea pigs on the move by providing fun tunnels, balls or other items to nudge around, and platforms with ramps to romp on and through. Worst kept secret about guinea pig toys? Most guinea pigs love tunnels!
Toy No-Nos
When choosing a toy, always keep your guinea pigs’ safety in mind. Toys that don’t work well with their anatomy and movement should get a pass. For example, their long backs can’t be arched upward and they have a stocky build, so exercise balls and exercise wheels are not a good choice.
Be sure all toys you offer are nontoxic and guinea pig-safe. Colorful wood toys, for example, are safe if food dye was used to give them color, but paint or any sealant makes them unsafe. Read product descriptions carefully. If you purchase a toy and after opening you have any safety concerns, don’t give it to your guinea pigs until your vet evaluates it.
Keep Toys In Shape
Make toy maintenance one of your priorities. Check all toys daily to ensure that they’re clean and not showing signs of wear that could pose a danger to your guinea pigs. Clean washable toys when dirty or at least once a month. Any toys that won’t come clean or are worn out should be discarded. Use mild soap and water, diluted vinegar, or commercial guinea pig-safe cleaner on the toys.
