Q&A for How to Introduce Your Guinea Pig to Floor Time

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My guinea pig just sits on the floor and does nothing. He only eats. How do I get him to exercise more?

Amy Harrison

Top Answerer

If your guinea pig simply eats during floor time, try using that as an advantage. Spread vegetables and treats around the enclosure and hide them around obstacles and tunnels. Try to make it challenging for your guinea pig to get to the treats.

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Question

I have a dog in my house, and I'm scared that my guinea pig(s) won't get a lot of floor time. What should I do?

Community Answer

Keep your dog somewhere else while your guinea pig has floor time, and keep a time schedule so you know when to keep your dog away. Alternatively, you can look for a room with a door so your dog won't be able to get in.

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Question

What can I do if I can't get down on the floor for playtime?

Community Answer

Put your guinea pig on your bed; just be careful and watch your guinea pig while doing this, as they can fall off.

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Question

My guinea pig starts squealing, running around, and bumping into things as soon as her foot touches the ground. What can I do? It only happens when I wear a couple of certain tops! What is going on?

Rcgcc2

Community Answer

Your guinea pig may be scared of the color of your top. However, squeaking and running around crazily is normal floor time behavior.

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Question

I use a playpen how do I explore with my guinea pig?

Community Answer

You could put a few large toys in the pen and hide some veggies for them to find.

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Question

What if my guinea pig is just sitting there doing nothing?

Gini Pug

Community Answer

Be patient. Introduce some toys made of pig-safe cardboard. Or you could make a maze out of a cardboard box, or hide veggies around the room for a scavenger hunt. Guinea pigs can also be hand-fed and trained to stand on their hind legs, turn in circles, weave around vertical cardboard tubes, jump over horizontal cardboard tubes, and more.

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Question

What are a list of toys a guinea pig can use?

Amy Harrison

Top Answerer

Guinea pigs aren't very interactive, therefore we suggest setting up an obstacle course for your guinea pig to run around and hide during floor-time. Otherwise, your guinea pig may like to play with a hay ball or chew sticks. Your guinea pig will likely interact with any toy that involves food, so even a treat ball will work.

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Question

I purchased a guinea pig on Friday, and he's still not very happy. Is it all right if I use cardboard boxes for a wall for floor time?

Amy Harrison

Top Answerer

Yes, providing the wall is stable and can secure your guinea pig inside the enclosure. Be wary that guinea pigs will chew the edges of the cardboard, so supervision is recommended at all times.

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Question

Is the floor good for their feet or should you use towels? What if your guinea pig strays onto the floor and you don't have a playpen?

Amy Harrison

Top Answerer

It depends what type of floor you have and whether you want to protect the floor from unexpected accidents. Tile flooring can often be too slippery for guinea pigs and inhibit their ability to walk normally, so it's best to put a non-slip material down to protect your guinea pig. If your room is guinea-pig proof; safe and secured, then you don't particularly need a playpen.

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Question

Is a tile floor good for guinea pigs’ feet?

Amy Harrison

Top Answerer

Tile floors are adequate, providing that the room isn't too cold. However, be mindful that tile flooring can cause your guinea pig to slip and may inhibit their ability to walk normally. If you have tile flooring, place a non-slip material down, such as a mat or blanket.

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Question

What can you do if you want to put them on carpet and you don’t want the carpet to get destroyed?

Maddie Rose

Community Answer

Try laying down some puppy pads, newspaper or towels on the floor, followed by fleece on top. This keeps both the cavies warm and comfortable, and the carpet protected.

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Question

I don’t have enough space for play time and my bed is much too high. What do I do?

Maddie Rose

Community Answer

Try hosting playtime in an outdoor enclosure. You can also block off the sides of your bed with cardboard, DIY shelving grids, or blankets to prevent them from falling (with close supervision).

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Question

I'm trying to teach my guinea pig to walk on the floor without a blanket. My floor is made of hardwood. Can guinea pigs walk on hardwood?

Amy Harrison

Top Answerer

Most guinea pigs are able to walk on hardwood with no issues. However, sometimes hardwood floors can be slippery for guinea pigs. Place your guinea pig on the surface of the floor and monitor their walking pattern. Keep your guinea pig's nails trimmed to support them.

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