Floor Time for Guinea Pigs

Floor time is when you provide a large and secure space for your guinea pigs to run around in and explore. They need this for exercise to stay physically fit and for a change in their environment to provide proper mental stimulation.

(Think about it – if you lived in the same room all the time, looking at the same four walls, it would probably send you a little bit crazy. It’s the same for animals!)

Great question. We’re glad you asked it!!

Here are some of our ideas to provide an exciting space for your piggies to roam around in, where they feel safe and secure too:

If you are inside:

- Choose an area in your home that is appropriate – bear in mind that guinea pigs pee and poo a lot, so a ‘wipe clean’ floor such as the bathroom or a laminated floor space could be the best choice.

- Ensure no electrical wires or anything equally dangerous can be nibbled or chewed.

- Keep any other household pets out of the way and make sure they cannot access your guinea pigs while they are having floor time.

- You can create a ‘toilet’ area by placing a fleece pee pad (or similar) under an archway. You will tend to find guinea pigs like to go to an area that is under cover to go to the toilet. This can also help to avoid the floor getting too messy.

If you are outside:

- Ensure your piggies are safe and secure in an outdoor run which is covered at the top (so that other pets or wild animals can’t get in).

- If your run is placed on grass, make sure the grass is free of harmful pesticides and animal faeces.

- Be very mindful of the weather conditions and provide shade from the sun if necessary. Don’t put your piggies outside if it’s too cold or raining – cold and damp conditions are bad for their health.

Wherever you are:

- Make their set up ‘interesting’. Use plenty of hideys, archways and tunnels positioned to encourage your piggies to run around and explore. Add toys too, like treat balls or accessories that provide a food challenge! Change this set up each time they get floor time. Do make sure there are enough places to take cover, so they feel safe.

- Don’t forget to provide their water and hay during floor time.

- Hide guinea pig treats or pieces of fresh vegetables around the floor time space for them find. Or you could get creative and fashion some ‘forage’ boxes of hay, forage mix and herbs out of some spare cardboard that’s waiting for recycling.

- Use this time to observe your guinea pigs and learn about their personalities and what they enjoy. You can also bond with them by hand feeding little treats!