Let’s know about How to Exercise a Guinea Pig. Guinea pigs are a popular pet in America and the rest of the world, and one of the questions we get asked most often is how to exercise our pets and how much exercise they need to stay healthy. There are many conflicting reports on the internet and a plethora of toys and equipment that claim to help your pet stay fit. We’re going to look at the different methods you can use to keep your pet in safe shape and discuss how often and how much activity will be most beneficial, so stay relaxed and keep reading while we Help you keep your pet in good health.
How much exercise does a guinea pig need?
Most experts seem to agree that your guinea pig should get about an hour of exercise per day. However, this activity doesn’t need to be done all at once, and your pet can do several different things each day that will help your pet reach his daily needs.
How do guinea pigs benefit from exercise?
Exercise benefits your guinea pig in the same way it benefits any living thing. This helps your pet stay at an ideal weight. Obesity can cause a number of health problems that can shorten your pet’s life. Lack of exercise can lead to heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, constipation, and more. An overweight guinea pig will also be less active and may even become depressed. Following some of the ideas outlined in this guide will help prevent your pet from becoming overweight. It will also provide them with plenty of mental stimulation, make them happy and help them bond better with you.
How do I exercise a guinea pig?
1. Provide Plenty of Space in the Cage
One of the easiest ways to make sure your pet gets more exercise is to get a large cage to keep them in. A larger habitat will encourage more movement each day, and this extra moving around can help you burn calories without needing to do anything.
2. Free run time outside the cage
You’ll need to make sure the area is secure, but some free roam time outside the cage can be a great way to provide your guinea pig with some exercise as well as mental stimulation. Your pet is a natural explorer and will appreciate the opportunity to see what’s under your couch. While allowing your pet to roam free, it doesn’t require a lot of space or even an entire room. Something about two to three times the size of their habitat should be fine. Too much space can disorient or even frighten them. It’s also hard for you to patrol a large area, and guinea pigs can move surprisingly fast.
3. Outside the Playpen
Guinea pigs get very excited when they are outside, which causes their hearts to automatically pound and run around. You can buy an inexpensive outdoor playpen or small cage to give your pet some fun in the sun. Your pet will enjoy playing in the grass, and it is one of the best activities you can provide. Although we’ve never had any issues, we recommend putting a cover on the playpen or using a cage, not only to keep the sun off your pet but also to keep it out of sight of birds of prey and stray cats .
4. Play Tunnel
Guinea pigs love to explore almost as much as they enjoy the outdoors. A play tunnel can provide your pet with some excitement and a great way to get exercise. You can place it anywhere in your home or outside and protect the ends. When your pet is finished playing, the tunnel folds down to a fraction of the size for easy storage.
5. Train Them to Use Toy Steps and Ramps
Guinea pigs won’t naturally climb stairs, but you can train them to do so with treats. After a few tries, your pet will be comfortable running up and down the stairs, and this will give them plenty of exercise. You can buy all kinds of steps and ramps for your cage that your pet can use to stay active throughout the day.
6. Build an Obstacle Course
Another way to make your guinea pig more active is to make an obstacle course. The obstacle course is a DIY project, and you can make it as big or as small as you want. You can use ramps, boxes, paper towel tubes, and more to create your course. Mazes are also fun ways to transport your pet long distances in a small space. Cutting up cereal boxes and gluing them together is a great way to make a maze for your guinea pig.
7. Get Another Guinea Pig
One way to make your guinea pig more active is to get a second guinea pig. They will spend the whole day running around and will often engage in competitive behavior which can take a lot of exercise. You can often get a slice of one of their favorite vegetables, such as a cherry tomato or cucumber, and give it to one of your pets. Other guinea pigs will often quickly steal it, starting a chain reaction where they both keep stealing it from each other, which can cause them to be more active than they normally are.
8. Proper Diet
A proper diet will help in some subtle ways. The vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and protein will provide your pet with the energy needed to stay active and build muscle. A proper diet will help ensure that your pet does not become obese, and animals of an appropriate weight are more active than obese ones.
what should i avoid
exercise balls
Exercise balls are very popular and are easily found at any pet store. Unfortunately, these balls are for hamsters who have flexible spines. A guinea pig’s spine isn’t nearly as flexible, and your pet can easily get hurt trying to walk into one of these tools. We recommend sticking to tunnels, ramps, and stairs, along with plenty of free walking time.
lots of toys
Many owners try to treat their pet with too many toys, and this clogs the cage. It’s hard to move around in a cluttered cage, and your pet won’t move around the way it should. A few toys are fine, but make sure there is plenty of open space left in the cage to move around.
wires
If you allow your pet to roam freely in your home, you will need to ensure that no wires are exposed as your pet can chew on wires which can cause damage and lead to electric shock Could
We like to use playpens and tunnels to keep guinea pigs in an enclosed area that is large and new, so our pet feels like it is exploring a new area without any wires or areas to reach. on the lookout.
summary
It’s important to make sure your pet gets about an hour of activity per day, but you won’t need to be present for this. If the cage is large enough to walk in, your pet is getting much of the exercise it needs. Ramps and stairs will add to the activity that happens when you’re not there. When you have some time to interact with your pet, tunnels and some free roam time can give your pet a full workout. A little time outside on a hot summer day will be the highlight of your pet’s week.
We hope you enjoyed reading this guide, and that it helped answer your questions. If we’ve helped you get your pet on the path to fitness, please share this guide to exercising your guinea pig on Facebook and Twitter.