What does a guinea pig need to be happy?

Listed below are five components of “pig” happiness. If these components are present, then your pig will live a long and happy “pig” age.

1. Another guinea pig Guinea pigs are herd animals, so they are much happier when kept together. You will immediately notice changes in behavior and a higher level of activity in two or more gilts kept together. If you are getting a guinea pig for your guinea pig, make sure it is of the same gender as you, as heterosexual pigs tend to bring offspring;).

Never rely on the opinion of the seller in the store as to what gender the pig is – they can be wrong! The veterinarian can determine the exact gender. Our article Determining the sex of a guinea pig can also help you in this matter.

2. Large cage Pigs love to run around the cage, chase each other and play their little pig games. If your cage is not large enough, then the first thing you need to do is increase the area where the pigs are kept! For information on what requirements a good cage should meet, read the article Guinea Pig Cage

In the photo below, you see a cage that is too small for a guinea pig, and it is a real torment for a pig to live in! Please do not buy such cages for pigs, do not torture the animal!

And in the next photo, an example of a spacious dwelling, where the pig will be comfortable and at ease. In such a cage, your pig will feel very good!

Another good option is a guinea pig shelving unit. Its main advantage is saving space in the room and at the same time providing the pig with a spacious home. About what racks are, in the article “Rack for guinea pig”

3. Walk around the room Even if you have a large cage (especially if you don’t), keep in mind that guinea pigs need daily exercise to stay healthy and happy. Walking around the room is not at all the same thing as being kept in the closed space of a cage.

During such walks, you need to ensure that the room where the pig will walk is safe enough for her, i.e. secure places where your guinea pig can easily climb in and find it difficult or impossible to get out, such as behind the refrigerator, inside armchairs, sofas, behind furniture, etc.

Also make sure the wires are out of reach and not just unplugged: Guinea pigs have been known to chew on telephone wires, causing internal injury. Cases of electric shocks are also not uncommon.

4. Houses Pigs need to feel safe. Each pig must have at least one shelter in the cage – a house or a tunnel. To grind their teeth, pigs often use their houses rather than special “chewing” sticks. If you have more than one pig and a large cage, it is better to put an additional house. For example, if you have three pigs, you need to put four houses. This creates a neutral spot in the cage and helps bring peace to the group.

5. Fresh hay If you’re just storing hay in a feeder, try putting a large bundle of hay in the cage, especially if it’s fresh, green, smelly hay. Nothing invigorates a piglet more than plenty of fresh hay to play with and chew on. Hay will never get bored of the pigs. Hay should be of high quality and soft, straw can damage the eyes. Replace old (stained) hay with fresh hay daily because it can cause dampness and disease.