Games for Lonely Pigs?

[dahlia]

I'm worried about my Madeleine. She is currently single but we are just starting the search of local shelters for a new friends. Anyway, she does not enjoy floor time. She will just sit in a corner and stare, no matter where she is or what I set out for her to play with. She runs laps in her pen though, so I at least she is getting some exercise. However, I know she needs mental stimulation. She is so sad in her pen! She lays in her favorite corner, sometimes facing into it. She doesn't love being picked up but she loves being held and petted so I try and do that often. What are some games that I can play to engage her? I know she needs another pig and I am just starting out with that but it needs to be the right pig. Any ideas?

 

[wales1000]

how about a mirror hanging on the outside of the cage, so she can see herself? - to be honest i put and girls in the run together (4 of them) and then the boys (2 of them) in the run and most of the time they will just sit down and not run around - even if I leave them in there for 3-4 hours, they just dont want to play in the run and will be still sitting in the same position as when I put them in there!

 

[Kiran]

Well I find hiding bits of food around works. Guinea pigs will do anything for food an dit will encourage her to be more active. Also try a treat ball, I 'd been looking for one for ages and finally found one at pets at home. Spike loved it, it confuised him at first becaus ehe knew there was something nice in there, but he didn;t know how to get it

 

[sally]

yes mine love the treat ball, we also have a carrot holder that keeps them occupied for ages O0

you could also stuff an old kitchen roll with hay and veg

good luck with finding another piggie

 

[Kristin]

mine did this as well till I got her a friend recently, she would always just sit there and do nothing, even when I put hay and treats out and tunnels she would just sit there. But with a friend it seems she plays more

 

[mackpossum]

Hmmm, when we first got our guinea pig Caramello, she was shy like that and just sat there without much action. Now that she has friends she is active and very chatty. So I guess, best thing for your Madeline is another piggy friend.

You can engage her with her favourite treats to move towards you more and sit her on your lap for cuddles (don't forget the towel underneath!).

Good luck in finding a friend for Madeline.

 

[andic]

I hide Winston's veg in a loo roll full of hay, in his hay rack, in the wooden cheese block, so to stimulate him. Although I have to alternate it as he gets used to the hiding places :

As he is in an indoor cage I have hung loo rolls up with hay in them up on the roof of the cage.

Treat ball is a good idea. How about putting hays etc in a paper bag for her as well.

Good luck in finding a pal for her
xx