Post by Karen R Quinn on Aug 10, 2009 9:58:50 GMT -7
Guinea pigs need exercise, and should be given plenty of floor time to play, be given toys to prevent boredom and wooden chews to maintain healthy teeth. DO NOT USE EXERCISE WHEELS OR EXERCISE BALLS, as these can cause crippling back injuries to a guinea pig! They are not built to "bend" that way!
Indoor Guinea Pig Cube Playpen:
How to Make It:
Plastic shower curtain on the floor to prevent wetness from potty, with a soft blanket on top for traction and comfort.
Loosely connect about 17 cube grids with cable ties / plastic zip ties. You don't want to zip tie it too tight, as you want to be able to fold it away for storage. The end pieces overlap and can be bulldog clipped together for use and then folded away for easy storage after.
And then come the toys:
Play tunnel - 4" plumbing pipe available in many configurations at your local home improvement store.
Litter box/ hay box - Cat litter box cut down on one side and lined with several layers of newspaper, then add the hay. Attach a water bottle to the grid so fresh water is available.
Wood tunnel - "Fiddle Sticks" large one shown available from pet stores.
Other great toy ideas:
Grocery/shoe boxes
Paper lunch/grocery bags.....NO PLASTIC BAGS!
Toilet tubes or kitchen roll tubes
There are many ferret and cat toys that guinea pigs love to play with, and wooden hanging toys designed for birds. Be careful using toys with small pieces, as this could present a choking hazard.
Outdoor Play:
Simple cage grids linked with zip-ties.
Guinea pigs love having a chance to get outside and graze on some fresh grass. With that in mind here are some safety rules to follow:
Do not allow outside exercise in extreme heat or cold - below 65° or above 75°.
Provide shade - remember that temperatures are much higher in direct sunlight.
Provide fresh cool water.
Provide an enclosed area or cube playpen for safety.
Make sure that the guinea pigs are safe from predators, including cats, birds, hawks and snakes.
Provide supervision the entire time your piggies are outdoors.
GRASS MUST BE PESTICIDE AND FERTILIZER FREE.
Check for fire ant nests and other hazards.
Make sure there are No poisonous plants in the area.
Indoor Guinea Pig Cube Playpen:
How to Make It:
Plastic shower curtain on the floor to prevent wetness from potty, with a soft blanket on top for traction and comfort.
Loosely connect about 17 cube grids with cable ties / plastic zip ties. You don't want to zip tie it too tight, as you want to be able to fold it away for storage. The end pieces overlap and can be bulldog clipped together for use and then folded away for easy storage after.
And then come the toys:
Play tunnel - 4" plumbing pipe available in many configurations at your local home improvement store.
Litter box/ hay box - Cat litter box cut down on one side and lined with several layers of newspaper, then add the hay. Attach a water bottle to the grid so fresh water is available.
Wood tunnel - "Fiddle Sticks" large one shown available from pet stores.
Other great toy ideas:
Grocery/shoe boxes
Paper lunch/grocery bags.....NO PLASTIC BAGS!
Toilet tubes or kitchen roll tubes
There are many ferret and cat toys that guinea pigs love to play with, and wooden hanging toys designed for birds. Be careful using toys with small pieces, as this could present a choking hazard.
Outdoor Play:
Simple cage grids linked with zip-ties.
Guinea pigs love having a chance to get outside and graze on some fresh grass. With that in mind here are some safety rules to follow:
Do not allow outside exercise in extreme heat or cold - below 65° or above 75°.
Provide shade - remember that temperatures are much higher in direct sunlight.
Provide fresh cool water.
Provide an enclosed area or cube playpen for safety.
Make sure that the guinea pigs are safe from predators, including cats, birds, hawks and snakes.
Provide supervision the entire time your piggies are outdoors.
GRASS MUST BE PESTICIDE AND FERTILIZER FREE.
Check for fire ant nests and other hazards.
Make sure there are No poisonous plants in the area.