1. Another guinea pig Guinea pigs are herd animals, so they feel much happier when kept together. You will immediately notice changes in behavior and a higher level of activity in two or more gilts housed together. If you are purchasing a relative for your pig, make sure it is of the same sex as yours, because heterosexual pigs tend to bear offspring;).
Never rely on the opinion of the store clerk as to what gender the pig is – they can be wrong! Your veterinarian can determine the exact gender. Our article Sexing a guinea pig can also help you with this issue .
2. Large cage Pigs love to run around the cage, catch up with each other and play their little pig games. If your cage is not big enough, then first of all you need to increase the area where the pigs are kept! Read about what requirements a good cage must meet in the article Guinea pig cage.
In the photo below, you see a cage that is too small for a guinea pig, which is a real torment for a pig to live in! Please do not buy such cages for pigs, do not torture the animal!
And the next photo is an example of a spacious home where the pig will be comfortable and at ease. In such a cage, your pig will feel very good!
Another good option is a guinea pig display rack. Its main advantage is saving space in the room and at the same time providing the pig with a spacious home. About what racks are, in the article ” Rack for Guinea Pig “
3. Walking around the room Even if you have a large cage (and especially if you don’t), remember that guinea pigs need daily exercise to feel healthy and happy. Walking around a room is not at all the same as keeping a cell in a confined space.
During such walks, you need to make sure that the room where the pig will walk is safe enough for her, i.e. secure places where your pig can easily climb and with difficulty or at all will not be able to get out, for example, behind the refrigerator, inside armchairs, sofas, behind furniture, etc.
Also, make sure the wires are out of reach and not just unplugged: Guinea pigs have been known to chew on telephone wires, causing internal injury. Electric shocks are also common.
4. Small houses Pigs need to feel safe. Each pig should have at least one hiding place in the cage – a house or a tunnel. To grind their teeth, pigs often use their houses, rather than special “chewing” sticks. If you have more than one pig and a large cage, it is better to put up an additional house. For example, if you have three pigs, you need to put up four houses. This forms a neutral spot in the cage and helps to establish peace in the group.
5. Fresh hay If you are simply storing hay in the trough, try putting a large bundle of hay in the cage, especially if it is fresh, green, odorous hay. Nothing cheers up the piglets more than a lot of fresh hay to play with and chew on. Pigs will never get tired of hay. Hay should be of good quality and soft, straw can damage your eyes. Replace old (stained) hay with fresh hay every day because it can cause dampness and disease.