No Running In The Run?

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hzlhrst

hzlhrst

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My two boys have been to the vet [again] and are thriving, apparently. I'm such a worrier, I mean what do vets know eh?All I know is I'm more trusting of you lovely lot on the forum by far.

My piggies are being very lazy: When I put them in their run, no matter what time, indoor or outdoor, toys or no toys, food or no food, they won't bloody move! They seem to run around in their cage in the early hours of the morning, maybe this is their preferred time to get a bit of exercise?

They're not looking or seeming unhealthy and they haven't gained any worrying amount of weight. Could it just be that I have lazy piggies?
 
They could be just a bit frightened. Have they got some hidey places they can run between :) x
 
I think or also depends on the pigs, 2 out of my 6 boys do not care for floor time. They will lie down/sleep/walk around but not run. They are my oldest but only 3 so not old men but they have never cared for running laps...whereas my others run laps and popcorn like mad...
 
Give it time. I remember the 1st time I gave my guineas floor time - they just stayed in their hidies. Nowadays, they have a good explore - with plenty of siesta time too. as above posters have said, give them plenty of hiding places to make sure they feel secure
 
Thanks guys :) They have plenty of nooks and crannies to hide in, but they're also not very shy! They love getting acquainted with the family so I'm thinking perhaps they're not scared, that maybe they just don't care for floor time :))
 
They might be spooked by the freedom. Guinea pigs that are scared tend to either bolt or freeze. Is the run outside? My pigs do nothing outside except eat the grass. They barely move! LOL!
 
They have a run inside and one outside - they tend to potter around both or chill in their hideout spaces - since it turned Autumn they're having a ball outside booping the leaves with their noses but that's about it!
 
hzlhrst said:
My two boys have been to the vet [again] and are thriving, apparently. I'm such a worrier, I mean what do vets know eh?All I know is I'm more trusting of you lovely lot on the forum by far.

My piggies are being very lazy: When I put them in their run, no matter what time, indoor or outdoor, toys or no toys, food or no food, they won't bloody move! They seem to run around in their cage in the early hours of the morning, maybe this is their preferred time to get a bit of exercise?

They're not looking or seeming unhealthy and they haven't gained any worrying amount of weight. Could it just be that I have lazy piggies?
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How old are your boys?
If you haven;t had them for long and they are young, then it is likely fear of open spaces. Sprinkle hidey holes (like tunnels or cardboard boxes) around and peg a fleece, sheet or blanket over the top pf the run to give them a feeling of protection. Give them time to gain confidence.

Adult and older guinea pigs are often not very keen on exercise.
Here are some tips of what you can do in that case, but don't expect miracles! The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
 
@Wiebke thanks! They are young (11 weeks) but I've had them since they were a few weeks, hopefully they'll warm up to their run spaces if that's the case :)
 
Can recommend lots of hides of tunnels to run between as they may just feel out of their comfort zone.

Our piggies now they are older have spurts of exercise in their run. They will run for a bit then just flop around and sleep... it's a pigs life eh!.....
 
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