Play time and games

[Hoppyandhoney]

Hey I was just wondering what you guys do with your pigs daily, and what stuff you do to interact with them... I want to try some new things with my piggies especially as one of them seems abit bored and maybe not as happy as she was a month ago and I’m not too sure what to do ... normally around 12 I go to clean their cage out, it’s pretty easy just hay as they are litter trained . They have a 5,2 cage so I take out all their hideys and bridges and bring their tunnels out and let them have a run about for an hour or 2 , I sit there for about 40 mins then let them have the room for a little and at night I give them both an hour cuddle. I was just hoping for some new play time ideas and some more things I can do with them to keep them active !

 

[Siikibam]

I don’t take the piggies out much for cuddles. In fact most times I only take them out to weigh, health check and trim nails then they’re back in. Or to transfer them to floor time. Otherwise I say hello each time I’m passing through the dining, which is often. I’ll give them a head scratch or just talk depending on what they want.

Have a read of the enrichment thread I’ve linked below.
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

 

[Betsy]

I pretty much do as @Siikibam. Most piggies tend not be keen on too much human interaction by way of cuddles and handling. I like to come up with ideas to keep them stimulated and last night I gave them their veg dinner in a couple of old cardboard egg boxes with holes in the top and sides with some of the veg poking out and some inside the closed box and very much enjoyed the entertainment of my Piggies trying to work out how to get their dinner.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m similar as @Siikibam and @Betsy

 

[Sweet Potato]

My boys get either cuddles or floor time every day in the evening. My boys love a good snuggle with lots of blankets. In terms of enrichment they love paper bags, cardboard boxes, cardboard tunnels and any toys that despence food.

 

[piglette]

@Hoppyandhoney, you sound like you're already doing a great job of interacting with your pigs ☺

I'm fairly similar to the above. Some of my pigs enjoy cuddles and floor time, and others don't - I do what each tells me Cardboard boxes, cardboard tubes and paper bags stuffed with hay, and also tunnels/hammocks made by pegging fleece to the C&C grids, are their favourites - I rotate so they don't get bored. I also agree with @Betsy that being creative about the way you give their veg (and also picked grass if yours have it) is a great form of enrichment - I'm sure you've realised that they're extremely food-motivated little critters I give mine veg in egg carton pieces, and hide grass around their cage for them to stretch/burrow to find, etc.

 

[Hoppyandhoney]

It’s funny how different all piggies are ! My piggies if I don’t hold them for a day the next time I pick them up they get a little funny with me because they didn’t get their cuddle ! You have some really good ideas on keeping. Them active ! I know my piggies are gunna have some fun trying to get food out of boxes ! Thankyou for all the ideas I’ll start working through them and seeing what they like !

 

[Hoppyandhoney]

My orange guinea pig loves cuddles so much (especially under my neck) so she figured out a little leg stomp she does to warn me she’s about to wee

 

[GuineaPigsPipPumpandJG]

I give my piggies a cuddle nearly every day, and if it's not raining they go outside in their runs. They get cleaned out every other day, and every week or so I rearrange their hutches so they have a different environment to explore. I like to make them little toys out of the cardboard from toilet rolls, they seem to like them My boar just loves to sit in a box most of the time in the sun My girls also like neck rubs and Pumpkin will even lift up her head for me to pet! (Pippin isn't as fussed.)
A lot of store bought toys they have they don't use, so I do like to hide stuff around their cage for them to find/forage for, etc. Cardboard tunnels are also a hit with my pigs and they like to nibble and destroy them, then sit in the wreckage

 

[RicoandRocky]

I made a cardboard maze for my boys and they loved it they where popcorning and all excited

 

[Sweet Potato]

my boys also have a "washing line" in their cage (just a piece of plain string with some wooden pegs) which I occasionally hang their lettuce from. Just another way to make them work for it.