Toys Some toys to keep them motivated? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**IluvePiggies** · #1 10-17-09, 05:45 pm

We've tried the hay bag and no luck. Any ideas for toys that they can play with? We've built this cage and all they do is sit there. They'll go upstairs for food and veggies and get up for water but nothing else! So any ideas for toys for them to play with?

**princesspoppy** · #2 10-17-09, 05:54 pm

My girls are the same. They do however get plenty of floor time and lap time. The remaining hours they just potter around the cage,eat hay and relax.

**Jojojo** · #3 10-17-09, 06:07 pm

Sometimes, if my boars are looking bored, I'll grab a huge mound of hay and just dump it in their cage. It makes a big mess but they go wild with joy, running around and popcorning. Then afterwards they nibble at it and lounge about.
If I want to keep things a bit tidier, I cut down one side of a toilet roll tube then stuff it with hay. Pulling the hay out keeps them entertained.

**princesspoppy** · #4 10-17-09, 06:11 pm

Yup the toilet roll thingy i did also. But they grew tired of it i think. A clump of fresh hay does work wonders but sometimes i think they are just tired from floor time. Tonight poppy closed her eyes at lap time. She turned on her side. This is only the 2nd time i have seen her do this so i guess she was really tired.

**JD In Van** · #5 10-17-09, 06:50 pm

I do the toilet roll too and they LOVE it. I also have some big PVC tubes they like to race though and some times I hide veggies around their cage (even on top of their hidies) and they'll run around finding them.

**wigglesgiggles1** · #6 10-17-09, 08:32 pm

You should get a crinkle tube. Mine play follow the leader through it and love the crinkle sound.

**IluvePiggies** · #7 10-17-09, 09:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by wigglesgiggles1

You should get a crinkle tube. Mine play follow the leader through it and love the crinkle sound.

Thanks. My Dad said we might be able to get that since we have a bigger cage.

Follow the leader? Sheesh, my girls would fight over who's leader(They both think they are the boss

)

**Ly&Pigs** · #8 10-17-09, 10:32 pm

Have you read the toy page? Guinea Pig Toys and Play

**MissFormosa** · #9 10-18-09, 11:47 am

Here are a few things I have given to the pigs to play with:

> a dog toy shaped like a flower. It's sort of like a small pillow. Alton and Carlton enjoy pushing it around.
> Toilet paper tubes
> Cat balls with the jingle bell inside
> Cereal boxes. I cut one end off and make it into a tent, securing it to the top of the cage with a clothes pin.
> Chubes
> Baby washcloths. We had a bunch of these left over from when Desmond was a baby. They throw then around.
> Hammocks
> Paper bags
> Measuring spoons. They toss these around.

Really, you don't have to spend very much on toys.

georgieporgie · #10 10-18-09, 12:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jojojo

Sometimes, if my boars are looking bored, I'll grab a huge mound of hay and just dump it in their cage. It makes a big mess but they go wild with joy, running around and popcorning. Then afterwards they nibble at it and lounge about.

They probably lounge around because they've stuffed themselves full

**IluvePiggies** · #11 10-18-09, 04:08 pm

My parents just picked up the following(Click on the items to go to the link):

>Giant Igloo(Big enough for 3 piggies)
>A Roll ball that holds hay

**lissie** · #12 10-18-09, 04:11 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by IluvePiggies

My parents just picked up the following(Click on the items to go to the link):

>Giant Igloo(Big enough for 3 piggies)
>A Roll ball that holds hay

Please don't use the roll ball. There has been many pigs who were able to open it up and got trapped inside. Ask your parents to return it.
If you search the photo galleries, you'll see some pictures of them (with the warning).

I found some pictures.
Hay-Ball Hidey-Hole No-No - Guinea Pig Cage Photos
Skunk in the Hay Ball - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

**IluvePiggies** · #13 10-18-09, 04:47 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by lissie

Please don't use the roll ball. There has been many pigs who were able to open it up and got trapped inside. Ask your parents to return it.
If you search the photo galleries, you'll see some pictures of them (with the warning).

I found some pictures.
Hay-Ball Hidey-Hole No-No - Guinea Pig Cage Photos
Skunk in the Hay Ball - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

Actaully, the hole is so small, NONE of my piggies could fit inside.

**luvmycavies** · #14 10-18-09, 04:59 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by IluvePiggies

Actaully, the hole is so small, NONE of my piggies could fit inside.

Thier paws could get caught, The sides can get pried open and they can get stuck inside......if there is any safety issues wouldn't it be better to err on the side of caution?? Maybe instead of being defensive listen to those who know?

**lissie** · #15 10-18-09, 06:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by IluvePiggies

Actaully, the hole is so small, NONE of my piggies could fit inside.

What if your piggie's head get stuck and couldn't get out? Why do you have to be so defensive. There has been some warnings, won't you want to do the best for your pigs? Since you parents just bought them, I would think they are still returnable.

**angiekay** · #16 10-18-09, 07:01 pm

I've never seen those pics until now, and honestly I would NOT buy one simply based on that fact alone. No matter if they can't "fit" inside, they could still get stuck. Pigs are very curious, as I've learned with mine, and will try their luck with anything in their cage.

**PancakesWaffles** · #17 10-18-09, 07:33 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by lissie

Please don't use the roll ball. There has been many pigs who were able to open it up and got trapped inside. Ask your parents to return it.
If you search the photo galleries, you'll see some pictures of them (with the warning).

I have one of these in my cage, I've seen the pictures and don't put the ball in the cage for them to roll around. I attach it to the side of the cage with the holder it comes with and have never had a problem. They've never even gotten it loose before.

I think they're fine. Makes the piggies work for their hay!

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #18 10-18-09, 07:53 pm

Pigs have managed to knock it off and get stuck inside still. There are many threads like this.

There are safer hay racks.

**Tessa Bea** · #19 10-18-09, 09:59 pm

To encourage exercise and running about, all of the shelters I provide for my pigs can be ran through. I have a large carboard tube, a towel draped over the corner, and a piece of cardboard that's bent in three places to make it into a shelter-ish shape.

**Ly&Pigs** · #20 10-18-09, 10:05 pm

They can get feet caught in those hay ball rollers too. It's much better to go on the side of caution than to have a unfortunate mistake happen. Just because you've had no problems up until now doesn't mean something may not happen.

Safety should be the #1 concern with any pet.

"Thank you, Ly&Pigs, for this useful post," says:
NicholsS10 (10-18-09)

"Thank you, luvmycavies, for this useful post," says:
juliaaa (10-18-09)