A very short post today, in response to a new reader named Zoya who asked us what toys she should get for her new guinea pig.
Toys are a gamble with guinea pigs. Cindy and I have encountered less than a handful of guinea pigs who have demonstrated sustained interest in many of the toys on the market, such as small balls they can push around. (Keep in mind that Cindy has had more than 750 guinea pigs come into the rescue over the last 6 years. I've had 28 come through my home in the last 11 years. Fewer than five pigs in that combined list have cared about "toys.")
What guinea pigs do like -- hands down -- are things that they can crawl under, run through, and hide in. Tunnels and hidey houses are the best investment of any caregiver's money, and there's many to choose from. We have a lot of those options listed in our Amazon aStore (look in the Hidey House and Toys categories) and our How To Spoil Your Guinea Pig page on Squidoo. Save the money you would have spent on other toys and use it instead to buy your guinea pig a wide variety of healthy fresh vegetables and fruits.
The single best thing you can give a guinea pig to keep him happy, healthy, active, and entertained is a roommate. No pile of toys can ever replace the companionship of another guinea pig.
I agree with that last statement! I just got a guinea pig yesterday and with all the research I've done in the last long while, I have, hands down, seen 100% positive comments or articles that say that it's is a good idea to have more than one guinea pig (male) because it has been shown to make them happier and healthier! I HOPEFULLY will be going on yet AGAIN another trip to my local pet store to get another guinea pig!! :) I was wondering, How should I introduce my 2 male guinea pigs to eachother? Is there anything I should keep in mind when purchasing and letting them adapt to their enviornment? thanks!
Posted by: Monkey Party1 | January 16, 2011 at 10:22 PM