How to keep an alone guinea pig entertained? Her friend passed away recently.?

Question

I had 5 female guinea pigs a few years back, they were all adopted and not related. They all got along very well. But as time goes by, they start to age and pass away one by one. I had 2 guinea pigs left a few months ago, and one of them died recently, leaving only 1 guinea pig living alone in a 5' x 4' C&C cage.

I am not looking to get another guinea pig. What can I do to keep the 1 guinea pig left entertained and happy? I already have a lot of little houses and igloos and toys in the cage, but usually the pig just sits around inside the igloos and does nothing all day. Maybe she's already old and doesn't really move much. Now I only have 1 pig left, I'm worried that she'll be bored and lonely. She's not very fond of being handled too much. She's got plenty of room to run around but what can I do or put into the cage to make her happier?

Answer 1

get him out to play more and get toys for in the cage

Answer 2

I understand your dilemma.

The only suitable entertainment on a 24-hour basis would be another piggie. Barring that, you can increase the amount of lap time with her, even if you don't think she likes being handled. It will at least break up the boredom for her.

Keep in mind that piggies can become so very depressed over the loss of a beloved cagemate that they will stop eating. Keep an eye on her to make sure she's eating and drinking.

Another alternative would be to contact a local guinea pig rescue and offer to "temporarily" foster a piggie. That way your girl could have a cagemate and when she passes over the rainbow bridge, the rescue can find another family for the foster piggie.

Answer 3

My first suggestion would be to get her a guinea pig companion but since you have already said you won't get another one that takes care of that.  I have never known of a guinea pig who didn't want to be held.  I can't hold my two enough.  You could have a zillion things in her cage but that won't make up for the friend she lost.  I would say to just hold her a lot if she will let you and to interact with her as much as possible.

Answer 4

get him a t.v and ipod

Answer 5

well ideally another guinea pig would be the best form of entertainment but you can provide environmental enrichment in other ways, make sure that the hutch is comfy and has lots of bedding and soft flooring like sawdust or material. toys of different shapes and textures are fun for the guinea pig, they absolutely love hay so this is vital!! varying their diet, not just giving dry pellets - give fruit and veg too. hiding food around the enclosure gives the guinea pig something to do and they have fun foraging! always make sure that they have an opaque enclosure inside that they can hide in if they feel scared. maybe you could look in a pet shop and see if there are any toys that make noise or something, this would entertain the pig!

good luck

Answer 6

Guinea pigs like to explore and are curious about new objects, so here are some things that I did for my guinea pigs.  You can get some little boxes (about 2 or 3 inches long and about the same width) and stuff them with shredded newspaper or hay.  You can hide little treats (like fruits and veggies in the newspaper or hay.  Mine loved that.  You can also hang these same boxes from the roof of the cage (using twine), dangling just low enough for her to reach.  That way, she has to work to get the treat.  This provides mental stimulation as well as physical exercise.  Be sure to replace the old boxes with new ones about every other day.

Answer 7

i have a guinea pig,he's about 5 months.he does the same thing u said ur guinea pig does,he just sits in his little hut all day.....i thought he might be bored r smthn so i wud hold him alot,which u shud do,u shud hold ur guinea pig often especially if u only hav 1,if she doesnt like 2 be picked up try just putting ur hand in her cage and giving her a treat and she will get use 2 ur hand,that might be y she's a little shy and doesnt like 2 be picked up bcuz she might be afraid of u so u hav 2 let her kno that ur not goin 2 hurt it,then gradually progress and pick her up and giv her treats while ur holdn her.she will prob get use 2 u and luk 4wards 2 being picked up and aftr a while wen uve mastered that wen ur holdn her try just setting her down sum where and playing with her and pet her. i hope this hlpd:) GOOD LUCK!!!