Guinea And Me Activities?

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JordanaDG

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So currently it is just Squirrely Dan and I until we get a bigger place (my boyfriend and roommate are here too, but I mainly work with SD), and he will be getting a buddy (or more likely a spayed buddette). I'm home literally 24/7 and SD is sort of working as my therapy buddy, so the only hours we really are apart is when I'm sleeping.

We're pretty new friends, but he has really warmed up to the entire household! He loves being out with my boyfriend while he plays a game or my roommate talking baby to him - he even started licking my roommate apparently, haha.

Well, because the unfortunate current space limitations, I want to make the best out of the time that Squirrely Dan is living solo! So I was looking for some activities that you do with your pigs to give SD some new experiences! He is still pretty timid when it comes to anything even nearing a fast movement, but relaxes relatively quickly after some reassuring scratches. What can I do to give SD something to take his mind off of temporarily not having a cage friend?

Thanks!
 
Squirrely Dan sounds like a great little guy. I'm settling my trio in at the moment & I find they love sitting listening to me read out loud. At the moment they're listening to Stephen King's Dr Sleep! I read the body language guides on here & I can see how it relaxes them.

SD will love having a cage friend and they will both love having you looking after them:)
 
For my lot, food is the key to fun!

I chop and scatter their fresh food all over the floor for them to find during floor time.
I also use old boxes and paper bags filled with hay or fresh cut grass for them to explore and eat.
They currently like empty tissue boxes with hay stuffed in, and will spend ages pulling it out.
Willow balls are also popular to eat and push around.

During floor time they love fleecy things.
A big pile of fleece off cuts or blankets is fun to burrow in, and they are always racing in and out of their tunnel.
Branches are good if you can get hold of some safe ones. They eat the leaves, strip the bark, and chew the wood.

Ultimately the best toy you can offer is a guinea pig companion, but it sounds like you already know this and have plans to get Squirrely Dan a companion which is wonderful.
In all honesty I get as much pleasure out of watching my trio interact with each other as I do from interacting with them.
 
Run/roaming time is always fun and gives you the opportunity to discover lots of things together. You can create little obstacle runs etc. Or just drop a dirty fleece on the ground and let him sneak underneath... A paper bag filled with veg or soft hay is also a surefire way of having fun. He will be happy to share his fun with you! ;)

Guinea Pig Toys
 
Hi everyone! Excellent suggestions!

I especially love the idea of the paper bag with hay and treats inside! I definitely think I will start reading to him as well. I love reading, and strangely enough love reading aloud, so that will be a fun little combo!

Squirrely Dan loves tv, he's started perching at the edge of the cage watching The Office with me! He's not a big fan of other show it seems as funny as it sounds, but I expect all the changing flashing lights from the tv and large, sudden sounds.

I think I'll start up the treat on the floor activity, and I'll throw a fleece sheet over them so he has to tunnel and search (plus he's still a little cautious of big open spaces - understandably) I think he will get a real kick out of that.

We intend on moving fairly soon, within a few months we hope, to a bigger space which will allow me to get SD a friend, but are still unsure of exactly when. Trust me, I think more the merrier, but I thought I'd give one pig who was already alone a home until we had space for a friend to tag along!
 
JordanaDG said:
Hi everyone! Excellent suggestions!

I especially love the idea of the paper bag with hay and treats inside! I definitely think I will start reading to him as well. I love reading, and strangely enough love reading aloud, so that will be a fun little combo!

Squirrely Dan loves tv, he's started perching at the edge of the cage watching The Office with me! He's not a big fan of other show it seems as funny as it sounds, but I expect all the changing flashing lights from the tv and large, sudden sounds.

I think I'll start up the treat on the floor activity, and I'll throw a fleece sheet over them so he has to tunnel and search (plus he's still a little cautious of big open spaces - understandably) I think he will get a real kick out of that.

We intend on moving fairly soon, within a few months we hope, to a bigger space which will allow me to get SD a friend, but are still unsure of exactly when. Trust me, I think more the merrier, but I thought I'd give one pig who was already alone a home until we had space for a friend to tag along!
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Here are good standard rescues for your province; they can hopefully help you find a character compatible friend for Dan when you can get him a friend and make sure that you do not end up with two piggies that won't get on. Guinea Lynx :: Canadian Rescue Organizations
 
Fantastic thank you! I hope to get him a spayed female as I'm unsure of how he may react with another male, so unless I find a really calm boar, he'll likely have girlfriend - without having to worry about mini-Squirrely Dan's running about! He's cute, but I don't think I'm ready for a whole herd just yet! Haha, when we move he will be getting a partner in crime asap.
 
JordanaDG said:
Fantastic thank you! I hope to get him a spayed female as I'm unsure of how he may react with another male, so unless I find a really calm boar, he'll likely have girlfriend - without having to worry about mini-Squirrely Dan's running about! He's cute, but I don't think I'm ready for a whole herd just yet! Haha, when we move he will be getting a partner in crime asap.
Click to expand...

I know that Piggles Rescue have occasionally got spayed sows. They are much rarer, though!
 
Well we will keep our fingers crossed, and if not, I'm sure there are plenty of boars out there who are nice and calm, or if worse came to worse, if I found a nice female, I could pay to spay her - though I really hate to do that unless really needed. Rather find a little lady for him that has already made it through that stressful process than put another through it.
 
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