Hello friends!
How’s your winter going? Are you staying warm?
Winter can be a tricky season for us guinea pigs. We’re really not designed for hot summers or cold winters.
And we don’t hibernate. We sniff, zoom, popcorn, burrow, and munch every day of the year!
So, while winter with Big Momma is great for snuggling, it can also a little less exciting. Fewer daylight hours and no outdoor play can be B-O-R-I-N-G! And a bored piggy is a sad piggy.
Lucky for me, Big Momma makes sure I still keep my little mind and body wheekingly happy, even when it’s cold outside.
So without further ado, let’s look at my winter boredom-busting tips!
Tip #1: Chew, chew, chew
I’ve said it plenty of times before, but hay is my little potato-shaped body’s best friend! It keeps my tummy moving, my mind busy, and my teeth in tip-top shape. Plus, it gives me something important to do between naps.
Did you know that a piggy’s teeth never stop growing? Chewing doesn’t just keep us occupied. It helps wear our teeth down naturally and keeps them trimmed and healthy.
Big Momma helps make sure chewing hay is fun. Sometimes she hides it, mixes it up, or even puts it in chew-safe boxes to turn snack time into playtime.
But because hay isn’t the only thing I like to chew on, Big Momma gives me special piggy-safe chew toys too, to keep me busy and my smile bright!
Tip #2: Move, move, move
Guinea pigs are meant to stay active. When I have chances to walk around, explore, and investigate my space, my body feels better and my brain stays busy.
One of Big Momma’s favorite tricks is not putting out every toy at once. Instead, she offers one or two toys, then swaps them out regularly. That gives me something new to check out and encourages me to move around instead of settling in one spot all day.
She also likes to rearrange my play area now and then. Tunnels might change places, hideys get moved, and suddenly my usual path feels brand new. Those small changes make me curious and get me walking, sniffing, and exploring.
All that movement helps keep guinea pigs healthy, engaged, and happy, even during long winter days indoors.
Tip #3: Variety, variety, variety
This kind of goes hand in hand with my last tip. Whether it’s toys, hay, or even our play area, we piggies love when things get mixed up a bit.
Big Momma says Small Pet Select makes this especially easy with the Tiny Paws 8 Toy Sampler. It gives me lots of fun things to chew, and it gives her plenty of options to rotate and rearrange so nothing ever gets boring.
Inside the sampler, you’ll find:
Seagrass Bowl
Seagrass Mat
Willow Chew Ring
Willow Bundle
Seagrass Chain
Seagrass Twist
Ball Trio
Seagrass Tent
That’s a whole season’s worth of textures, shapes, and chewing fun. It’s perfect for rotating toys and keeping enrichment fresh, even during long winter days indoors.
Winter doesn’t have to be dull for guinea pigs. With the right enrichment, cozy indoor days can still be full of curiosity, chewing, and joy.
So keep things rotating, keep things natural, and remember that even small changes can make a big difference in your pig’s happiness.
Until next time, stay curious, cozy, and creative!
Gizmo
Your winter boredom buster
We are not veterinarians, and none of our information should be construed as veterinary advice. If your animal is acting unwell or you have concerns for your animal's well being, please contact your veterinarian.
