Despite our love for these fuzzy little puffballs, it is a fact that all hamsters, mice and guinea pigs are all from the same family.
Unfortunately, they are all….rodents. That is right rodents. Just the term rodent lends itself to visions of giant bucktooth foot long sewer rats, but that is just a generalization of rodents.
Many pets share the distinction of being a rodent with the guinea pig. Like hamsters, mice, gerbils, rabbits, and chinchillas.
They are all cute, fuzzy, lovable and social. However, even though they are all in the rodent species there are varying subspecies of rodents.
All these animals have their own special needs and requirements. This an important distinction when you start looking at toys to keep your cavies happy.
What toys are appropriate for a guinea pig?
Guinea Pig Ball
Rats, mice, gerbils, and hamsters all enjoy a good romp around the house in their ball, or a gaunt in their cage wheel, but are these toys appropriate for a guinea pig?
There has been recent research regarding guinea pig run around balls. Veterinarians discovered that a guinea pigs’ spine is not designed to be bent backward as it would be in a ball or a wheel.
To have your cavy use one of these items could cause severe pain and possibly permanent damage.
Many pet stores have stopped selling them due to this fact. However, you can still find them around and even worse is that unknowledgeable salespeople may try to talk you into a hamster or gerbil ball without knowing the danger they pose.
These balls are way too small and will cause even more serious damage than a guinea pig run around the ball.
Some of the best ways to get your cavy the exercise they need is to give your guinea pig a large enclosed area to run around in but if you want to amp up their playtime there are some great items on the market.
The one ball on the market that is perfect for your guinea pig is a toy ball. These types of balls are meant to be knocked and pushed around.
There are several different kinds made out of different materials, so if your cavy doesn’t take to one try a different type. Amazon has a great selection of these toy balls.
Niteangel Small Animal Activity Toy, Fun Pet Balls (Pack of 3)
These balls are 100% all-natural handmade with no plastic, metal or glue. Each one is 2.6 inches in diameter and is made from seagrass, rattan and water hyacinth.
Even better, they are safe for your guineas to nibble on. One buyer had this to say about them,
“I completely recommend this to the small creatures out there! My rabbits and my Guinea Pigs love to chew on them and run around the cage rolling it!!! I also recommend put treats or hay in it and makes it funnier for them:) I will be buying this item again”
For more information on this fun pet balls, visit this link on Amazon to see detailed product specifications, customer reviews, and online ordering options.
SunGrow Coconut Fiber Ball for Guinea Pig Improves Dental Health
This ball is made from 100% natural coconut fibers. These balls are great for when your cavy becomes stressed or anxious.
These are also perfect to help maintain your cavies optimal oral and dental health.
While you are considering what type of ball your cavy will like best also consider other toys that can be added to their enclosure.
Guinea pigs love to hide themselves and tunnel. That makes this next accessory a perfect fit for your cavy.
For more information on this fun pet balls, visit this link on Amazon to see detailed product specifications, customer reviews, and online ordering options.
Living World Hagen Pet Tunnel
This tunnel is perfect for hiding out, sleeping and even exercising. It can be attached to a tent or added to another tunnel.
There are two sizes, a medium that measures 5.9-inch diameter by 35.4-inch length and a large that measures 7.9-inch diameter by 35.4-inch length.
One person who bought this tunnel had this to say,
“Our Guinea Pigs love this tunnel! They go round and round! We bought 2 of the playpens and put them together to give them more room. The use it as a napping place too. Yes, the pig has my dog who loves to lay with them when we are right there.”
For more information on this pet tunnel, visit this link on Amazon to see detailed product specifications, customer reviews, and online ordering options.
eCotrition Snak Shak Small Animals
eCotrition makes numerous products for guinea pigs. They have an activity log, a hideaway house, a house, and a log.
This Snak Shak takes the best attributes of all of them and combines them into one fun product. It is 100% edible and has a golden honey flavor.
They even provide you with an ingredient list, so if you have any doubts you can ask your veterinarian. It has been a big hit with buyers on Amazon. Two buyers shared their experiences with the product.
“My guinea pig really likes crawling through it. I don’t think he realizes that he could eat it if he wants. But he’s got so much food he probably doesn’t care yet. I like to put treats inside of the log for him to find”
“If you have rodents of any kind, you should have a Snak Shak. We have guinea pigs, rabbits, mice, and rats, and they ALL love their Shaks. Whether climbing on, running through, or chewing them, we always have one in all our rodents’ houses.
You can stuff them with food and hay for piggies and rabbits, and paper and treats for smaller rodents to forage for. They can be washed with water only and dried in the sun if needed.
But if they soak in water too long, they do get funny. I used the one that got too wet to plant a bromeliad in. They’d be suitable for orchids and air plants, too- anything that doesn’t need heavy watering, or that’s in a pot so you can take the plant out to the water.”
For more information on this Snak Shak small animals, visit this link on Amazon to see detailed product specifications, customer reviews, and online ordering options.
Niteangel Nature’s Hideaway Grass Hut Play Chew Toys Guinea Pig
If you are looking to get multiple items to see what your cavy enjoys most this might be the best bet for you. Unlike many other products like this on the market, these are all-natural.
There is has a hand-woven grass activity center, that is woven of primarily sisal tassel (totally safe for your guinea pig to eat), bamboo sticks, apple sticks, a pinecone, loofah, seagrass ball, water hyacinth ball, and a rattan ball.
For more information on this hut play Chew toys, visit this link on Amazon to see detailed product specifications, customer reviews, and online ordering options.
JanYoo Animal Bed Guinea Pig Accessories Cage Habitat Toy Hideout House Washable
This cozy bed comes in three sizes and 5 different styles. A large will fit a single cavy while an extra-large will fit two. You can choose a red elk, pink pig, giraffe, crocodile, or bee.
It provides a comfy sleep and hides compartment. With the attached zipper you can easily remove the outer casing and wash it in the washing machine.
For more information on this hut play Chew toys, visit this link on Amazon to see detailed product specifications, customer reviews, and online ordering options.
With all these wonderful habitat toys and additions, your cavy is sure to be one pleased furball. Just make sure that whatever you buy for them you research deeply.
The last thing you want to do is to give your guinea pig anything that can cause harm to them.
Guinea pigs Homemade toys
Unfortunately, no matter how much you want to buy for your cavy your budget might decide no. There are some great easy homemade options to entertain your guinea pig.
- Take a plain paper and crumple it up into a ball. Guinea pigs love the sound of crumpling and will also enjoy gnawing on it. It makes you wonder why we did not think of this sooner!
- Give your pig the gift of tunnels for no cost. When you are done with your wrapping paper and you are left with the paper tube (we all know there is a plethora of these around December) simply cut them into short lengths with an additional cut down the middle (so they don’t get stuck).
- Your cavy will throw them around and play with them.
- You know all those socks you have that have lost their match? Well, here is a perfect use for them. Take an old sock and stuff some of your guinea pig’s clean bedding material inside.
- Tie the sock off and cut off the end. They will love pulling the pillow around with them, all the while chewing on it.
- It is no secret that guinea pigs love to tunnel and hide. One of the easiest hidey-hole to make for your cavy is to simply put in a paper bag. Again, they will love the crinkle sound and enjoy hiding out.
Conclusion
With all these tips you should have a healthy and happy cavy for a long time. For more information regarding guinea pigs training, subscribe to my newsletter to receive updates and new tips.
Lydia King is a huge animal lover and has always been fascinated with learning about the animal kingdom. She enjoys writing about anything animal related from scientific information about rare species to animal references in pop culture.
