Be creative, but remember: safety comes first! Some pigs like toys, while others may not notice them. Some pigs get bored with toys after a while. It’s good to experiment and let them choose.

Remember that many pigs will ignore most toys, it is better to use simpler toys. If the pig is indifferent to toys, then often change toys and houses, as well as rearrange them. If possible, do not place houses and bowls close to the walls and corners of the cage. Make sure the space in the cage is free for running. Bowls, toys and houses should be in the center of the cage to provide enough room for running.

Brown paper bags

For example, from McDonald’s fast food restaurants. Easy, inexpensive, can be thrown away when dirty. Try bending or trimming to fit better in the cage. Lay them on their side. Cut off handle packages! You can also put hay in bags. A toy and a feeder in one bottle! Accidentally eating paper is not harmful to pigs.

Crumpled pieces of paper

Very simple, although the piglets will love it. It is best to use plain white paper. The pigs may be chewing or eating paper. Accidentally eating paper is not harmful to pigs.

Paper towel and toilet paper rolls

You can make great treats by stuffing them with hay. Slice the spools lengthwise to prevent the playful, curious piglet from getting stuck like the one in the picture.

Small cardboard boxes (for oatmeal, etc.)

Can be thrown away when dirty or gnawed. Must be large enough so that the pigs do not get stuck.

Bricks or rough stones Can help in grinding down claws. They are especially good in the summer, because the pigs can lie on the cool rocks. You can also put a piece of brick under the drinker, it will absorb water droplets falling from the drinker.

Or make a small, low pyramid of bricks (assuming you have a large cage, of course) and place food on top of the pyramid. When placing bricks and stones in the cage, make sure it is NOT HAZARDOUS for the pigs, some stones may fall and damage the pig. Try placing stones next to or under the hay holders, especially if the hay holders are high.

Old socks You can put socks in the cage or stuff them with sawdust. This can be your pig’s favorite pillow. Tie or sew on the top of the sock. You can also put a tennis ball in a sock.

Cardboard boxes for shoes, napkins, etc. Flip the box over or lay it on its side for a cave. If the box is upside down, place some sawdust or hay on the bottom to make it easier for the pig to lie down. If the box is upside down, cut out one or two entrances and some exit holes. Exit holes are good if you have more than one pig. If you have a box with a top, you can lay it on its side so that the top is like a door that swings when opened. Guinea pigs will love this shelter.

Old Towels Some pigs will carry the towel around the cage or use it as a pillow. Hand towels and dish towels work best.

You can also cut the bath towel, but you must cut off all the hanging tabs. You can make an awning from a towel, which will be a house for a pig. To do this, you need to tie a towel to the corner bars of the cage and secure with safety pins. These shelters are easy to wash and do not take up much space.

Balls Tennis or ping pong balls are great. They are better than commercial cat balls as they can be rolled easily over sawdust.

Plastic cups or containers Plastic cups or containers for margarine, processed cheese, etc. are also great toys. They can be scattered around the cage or climbed inside.

Pine cones May be a favorite toy for pigs, but first they need to be cleaned of resin. To do this, they need to be placed on foil (so as not to stain the oven) in a 200 ° C oven for 20-30 minutes.

Mirrors Mirrors are best fixed on the outside of the cage. If you want to secure them on the inside, they must be unbreakable. You can use bird mirrors.

Fruit tree branches Good for gnawing. Can be found in the country or in a country park. Trees must be NOT SPRAYED WITH CHEMICALS! Apple twigs can be eaten fresh, straight from the tree. DO NOT GIVE branches: cherry, peach, apricot, plum and mahogany, they are poisonous.

Children’s wooden cubes For chewing and dragging around the cage. Cubes should be WITHOUT any coating (varnish, paint).

Small stuffed toys Can be used in the same way as stuffed socks. Pigs can use them as sleep pillows. If your pig chews on a toy, then it would be better to replace it with a sock full of sawdust. If your pig likes a toy, but she chews it up, try replacing the filler with sawdust and stitching it up again.

Guinea Pig Tunnels Guinea pigs love tunnels! They also like to lie in impromptu “burrows”. Now many manufacturers offer ready-made tunnels – fabric, plastic, wicker, etc. But if you are resourceful and love tinkering, then making a tunnel for a guinea pig will not be difficult for you.

The easiest option is a piece of ordinary sewer pipe, which is sold in every hardware store. Or a corner for sewer pipes.

You can also sew a tunnel, for example from fleece or other soft fabric.

We believe that tunnels and holes should be in every cage!

Bird Toys The ones you can hang with a bell at the end. Try hanging over the corner of the cage using a different rope, or hook onto the top of the cage. You can secure it with large paper clips. Toys should be safe, without small parts that the pig can choke on.

Cat Toys Some pigs may like balls with bells inside. Be careful, they may not be safe enough for gilts. Knitted balls with a bell are safer than plastic ones.

“Canapes for pigs” You can not only buy, but make yourself from vegetables! These are metal perches that you can add their favorite treats to. We do not recommend using small parts that could damage your guinea pig.

Toys for rodents The assortment of pet shops in the part of toys for rodents is represented mainly by various tunnels and hammocks. Both those and others can be done by hand, or you can buy. In any case, the pig is likely to be happy.

DO NOT USE:

• large balls, because guinea pigs can injure their back and legs.
• running wheels, they are also very bad for guinea pigs and can damage the back and legs.