Guinea pigs not doing anything during floor time.

[HumanWithFurryPotats]

My two piggies are very active, but only in their cage. They run around and move things, but during floor time they either sit and do nothing or try to go back in the cage. I don’t know if this is unusual. My younger pig does run around a bit, but only to find a way to get back in the cage, and my older just sits there, looking scared, so I don’t take them out much. Now I can’t even pick them up to go play, since they want to be in their cage badly.
I do put toys and hiding places but I usually have to put them in there if they’re outside, so they can feel safe, and then they sit there doing nothing. I know that Guinea Pigs like hiding, but for 1-2 hours in the same spot doesn’t seem normal to me. Any advice or solutions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Wiebke]

My two piggies are very active, but only in their cage. They run around and move things, but during floor time they either sit and do nothing or try to go back in the cage. I don’t know if this is unusual. My younger pig does run around a bit, but only to find a way to get back in the cage, and my older just sits there, looking scared, so I don’t take them out much. Now I can’t even pick them up to go play, since they want to be in their cage badly.
I do put toys and hiding places but I usually have to put them in there if they’re outside, so they can feel safe, and then they sit there doing nothing. I know that Guinea Pigs like hiding, but for 1-2 hours in the same spot doesn’t seem normal to me. Any advice or solutions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi! Is run time in a confined area or free roaming in the room?

 

[HumanWithFurryPotats]

It is in an open room, but they can’t go in some places( like under my desk or in the closet) where I believe dirty things are (like dust, paper or random office stuff). They don’t go there any way cause I usually stop them.

 

[Wiebke]

Have you considered that you might try to start feeding them outside, for instance? I have found that the best lure to get new piggies used to free roaming. Used bedding to romp in can also help, especially if sprinkle it around

While there has been the occasional 'home body' who prefers the familiar cage to the big freedom, most of piggies have come round to enoying larger spaces, but it can be a slow process of building up the confidence. You start with the area close to the cage and then gradually expand it. I have found foot stools and coffee tables very useful for that process as you can easily move them that little bit further from the cage to feed them their dinner underneath (protect the area with a towel).

This link here may give you some ideas, especially the videos: Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

 

[Little Ones]

One thing that got the laziest pig I owned to move about during floor time was vegetables. Just having the smell of vegetables around gets them moving. Feed them the odd piece or two every now and then so they know it’s worth moving for, but it should help them become more comfortable in their environment. Once they are, you can do things like standing up several toilet roll tubes and hiding a small piece of vegetable under one, one of my boys loves this and he enjoys pushing the tubes around as he searches for the food

 

[VickiA]

If you take into account that piggies are prey animals then they have to overcome their prey instincts to enjoy an open space. Having tunnels, footstools, tables, etc so that they have plenty of cover to hide under will really help them to feel safer and more adventurous. It can take a while for them to learn that outside the cage is not only safe but fun.