My Guinea Pig Keeps Speeding In Circles!

[jayjayb_00]

I know this is because of her small cage perhaps? I'm building her new one. (also for companion in future) She keeps speeding in circles a lot! Is it because she is getting out her energy or because of a possible neuropathic disorder?

 

[FlannelPig]

It is super important to have a big enough cage for them but that just sounds like zoomies which is a burst of energy from a happy guinea pig.

 

[Swissgreys]

It sounds like she is happy and just trying to burn off some of her excess energy - you won't believe it when you see her running in a bigger space!

 

[Reenie]

Zooooooomies. Happy piggy. I agree with @Swissgreys, it is amazing watching them in a bigger space. I let mine out in the living room and curl up on the couch to watch their nonsense lol

 

[Wiebke]

I know this is because of her small cage perhaps? I'm building her new one. (also for companion in future) She keeps speeding in circles a lot! Is it because she is getting out her energy or because of a possible neuropathic disorder?

No, we call the zoomies - the circles simply come from the constricted space. it's just excess energy and joy of living. Guinea pigs are roaming animals, so they are wired to go distances. A group of wild guinea pigs can easily cover a mile to feeding on a patch of fresh grass at dawn or dusk within their territory. They follow each other on paths through the grasslands, which is why guinea pigs like to go where there is already a scent spoor or follow their own scent spoor. They also enjoy running around, through or over small obstacles.
When they have more space they will make more use of it.

Here is a little video of young husboar Bedo (the one with the orangey bits) and his leading ginge lady Essylt enjoying their roaming time. Their pen is at the bottom of the room.

 

[jayjayb_00]

No, we call the zoomies - the circles simply come from the constricted space. it's just excess energy and joy of living. Guinea pigs are roaming animals, so they are wired to go distances. A group of wild guinea pigs can easily cover a mile to feeding on a patch of fresh grass at dawn or dusk within their territory. They follow each other on paths through the grasslands, which is why guinea pigs like to go where there is already a scent spoor or follow their own scent spoor. They also enjoy running around, through or over small obstacles.
When they have more space they will make more use of it.

Here is a little video of young husboar Bedo (the one with the orangey bits) and his leading ginge lady Essylt enjoying their roaming time. Their pen is at the bottom of the room.

That makes me feel reassured haha! How cute!

 

[Freela]

Baby guinea pigs have a lot of energy and will often dash around in circles because they're happy/excited and need to burn off some energy. Mine will dash around the hallway all the time in the evenings.

 

[Wizzy]

No, we call the zoomies - the circles simply come from the constricted space. it's just excess energy and joy of living. Guinea pigs are roaming animals, so they are wired to go distances. A group of wild guinea pigs can easily cover a mile to feeding on a patch of fresh grass at dawn or dusk within their territory. They follow each other on paths through the grasslands, which is why guinea pigs like to go where there is already a scent spoor or follow their own scent spoor. They also enjoy running around, through or over small obstacles.
When they have more space they will make more use of it.

Here is a little video of young husboar Bedo (the one with the orangey bits) and his leading ginge lady Essylt enjoying their roaming time. Their pen is at the bottom of the room.

One of my pigs has been doing this in the mornings, and I came on to this thread and watched your video- and the blue cage that you have in it is the same one I use for my 2 adult pigs! Would you say it’s an ok size?

 

[Wiebke]

One of my pigs has been doing this in the mornings, and I came on to this thread and watched your video- and the blue cage that you have in it is the same one I use for my 2 adult pigs! Would you say it’s an ok size?

That cage is a 2x4 ft cage which I use as a hospital cage or - as the case in the video - for an occasional temporary foster piggy or two. It is the minimum welfare size for 2 piggies. I have two of these spare cages as 'just in case' ones, which come in handy from time to time. My permanent piggies now live in C&C pens.

If you can afford to go bigger in the medium to longer term, then please do!