Guinea pig cage equipment

Many pet shops offer us and our pets a wide range of cage equipment. However, not all items will be suitable for our guinea pigs. Some of them will be avoided by guinea pigs, while some may even be dangerous!

Guinea pigs should not run in any kind of wheel because of their extremely delicate spine. If we do not want our plump guinea pig to get stuck in tubes and tunnels, we should buy these elements with a suitably large diameter. We should also avoid plastic parts. Guinea pigs like to bite and eat plastic, which is certainly not healthy for them.

We should also avoid ladders with wire rungs. If the pig does not stand on them properly, it can easily dislocate its paw or fingers. Remember that guinea pigs are completely different from hamsters. Balls that hamsters like to roll in will not be good fun for them. We should also not take guinea pigs for walks on a leash.

We should choose our guinea pigs’ houses carefully. The most suitable ones will be those with two large entrances because they always need an emergency exit in case of a quarrel with another guinea pig. Guinea pigs do not require the best and most expensive house. They will have a great time in tunnels made of corrugated cardboard.

Guinea pigs like to sleep on fresh hay, so it should always be part of the cage. You can observe that guinea pigs like to cuddle up to leftovers, which is not very hygienic. Special toys suitable for guinea pigs are available in stores. These can be chews made of natural materials, all kinds of ramps, hammocks, loungers or arm warmers, wide wooden ladders, hanging toys and feeders for guinea pigs, edible houses made of pressed hay or toys that support the guinea pig's intelligence, e.g. food boxes that can open after the guinea pig performs some activity.

The cage should have a hanging waterer, which helps maintain hygiene and does not cause water to splash all over the cage. Wooden pellets are best for the substrate, as they absorb moisture and unpleasant odours. At the same time, they do not have to be replaced as often as, for example, sawdust. For the animals to eat them, choose metal or wooden bowls and feeders.

Let's be careful what we buy for our guinea pigs to play with. We want our pets to be happy and energetic, but toys made specifically for other animals won't help us achieve this. Let's leave hamster toys for hamsters and don't torture guinea pigs in hamster balls for our own amusement.

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