Sleep

[lizzie_71]

How much sleep do guinea pigs need? I worry that mine don't get enough when they are indoors, as the lights are on and people are walking past them from about 7.30am to 11pm, especially at the weekends when most of us are usually home. They live near the fridge and just by the door to the loo, so there are always people walking past.

They always seem to be awake when we pass them, but they often look as if they are trying to sleep and we are disturbing them. I'm wondering if they are sleep deprived?

 

[midnight]

I read somewhere that guineas only have about 4hrs a night, the rest is made up by resting in the daytime

 

[Vikki*and*the*Buns]

mine always seem to be awake *lol*, everytime I go to check teddy is always there, Albert is still awake to but prefers hiding ;D

 

[Lez]

munchie makes me smile as he bases most of his sleeping habits round mine :smitten:

if i nap during the day, he will curl up in hay corner, facing my bed and nap at the same time until i wake up :smitten:

even in a morning, both boys are usually asleep, and they sem to know when I'm going to wake up as when i look at them both will be sat at the cage bars watching me, waiting for me to get up and make breakfast

otherwise, they take lots of naps, but no long sleeps

 

[Glynis]

Yes i agree they seem to nap rather than sleep like we do

 

[Black Jack]

Yeah I remember reading somewhere that they have about 5 to 10 minutes sleep every half hour or so. Apparently in the wild this is the only way they can get enough sleep (some always stay awake on sentry duty) because of predators so they can never truly hunker down for a full sleep. Also lots of guineas will sleep with their eyes open (again to fool predators) so if you think he's sitting there in a zombie-like trance he is probably actually asleep!

 

[smiler]

They only sleep for 4 hours at a time

 

[lizzie_71]

Oh good, then they're probably not being disturbed by us

 

[Caviesgalore (EPGPR)]

I think piggies are a bit like us Lizzie in that they get used to the noise and general hubbub that goes on around them. It's a bit like when you go on holiday and sleep in a new room, the first couple of nights are never great for sleep, once you get attuned to new sounds etc. you sleep better.

My lot are definitely cat nappers and I have a mix of eyes closed and eyes open sleepers!

 

[Jillybean]

It sounds great that they've got loads going on round them. They'll always have one ear open on the off chance you just might be getting them some food! Have they got a sleeping area in their home - if they're in a plastic indoor cage and you're a bit concerned about the sleeping thing, a box or shelter would be good so it's a bit darker and more private.