DD just got some guinea pigs, how do you let them play??

[singyswife]

I mean how do YOU let them get some excecise an what do they play with?? Thanks. Guinea Pig virgin here.

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No guinea pig people on then?? Oh well

Have you got a run to go with it? Or just the cage for them for now?
When we were younger we'd sit in the lounge my sister and I, opposite each other with our feet touching (to create a blocked-in space between legs) the let the guinea pigs run in there. Loads of fun was had watching them squeek away at each other!

Let them have as much space as possible to run around in. Pigs don't like to climb so don't bother with obstacles! You could put up some hideyhole type things around the corners of a run though as they do like to have somewhere to run to if they get a bit spooked.

They don't play with anything as such... although ours have been known to push around a little ball at times.. they will just enjoy each other's company and being able to run and jump and squeak to their little heart's content. They are brill

heart's???

I just have a cage for them, We took the lid off the cage this morning and put it on the floor then let them run about in it but I am not sure if they should have toys in with them or just the space. I have read up on some play activities for them and have put a wee tent thing in for them. They are currently investigating that.

The space really is more important. We let ours loose in the hallway - a big empty space - and put a couple of boxes around that they can run in and out of. They like the tube type things you can buy too.

Have you got a garden? Really they love having an enclosed run (keep them safe from cats & foxes and so they don't run away). Mine had a proper outdoor hutch and access to their run 24/7 apart from the very depths of winter when they came in overnight.

Ours go in the run all day and in their hutch only at night, unless the weather is bad. We kept them indoor during the winter and then let them out for a good run about. The like running in and out of things or between things, so tubes, boxes etc are good. The do need to run around a lot, so you probably should invest in a run.

low level boxes like a shoe box and nothing higher as they are not built for jumping off things, yes they love hiding and exploring.

They are currently exploring the tent I made them but I am very aware that they need to run about. They are being kept in my dd's bedroom so maybe I should construct an area that they can use as a run. I will look into that. I did think about putting the lid of the cage outside but I have a rabbit who has free run of the garden and I am not sure how she would be about the critters invading her space.

You need to make sure they don't eat things like cables to electrical appliances and of course they may well wee or poo whilst running around in the house!

I wouldnt give them free run, they can have a safe area to play in and that will have to do them. I have rats and they are escape artists and I have spent enough of my life crawling round trying to catch the buggers, the last time it involved me lying on the kitchen floor for 4 hours with a fishing net

My g-pigs were so loving that they would recall by name even if they had escaped!!!

Awww how sweet. I must get dd to call them by name and see if they recognise their names. dd is totally obsessed with them and is like a mother hen, she has wanted them for so long she is just so happy she has them.

My first g-pig was on her own with me for a couple of years and spent lots of time with free run of our house when I was home!!! Obviously we were very important to her for her social needs, not sure a pair would be as bothered about humans!

We have a pair and when we get up in the morning or come home after being out they shout etc. One is the boss and he normally starts squeeking and then the other one comes out too see what is going on. they are very amusing. I couldd just sit and watch them

Thank you all for helping a guinea pig virgin.