Make sure your guinea pig is able to behave normally

Facts

• Guinea pigs are very social and inquisitive animals and need to interact with other friendly guinea pigs. Many can enjoy interacting with people.
   
• Guinea pigs are active animals. They are active during the day and night and need frequent opportunities to exercise.
   
• Sound is an important means of communication for a guinea pig and they have a wide variety of sounds that mean different things.
   
• Guinea pigs must be able to avoid things that scare them. Guinea pigs are a prey species and must be able to hide in a secure place, away from the sight and smell of predators (e.g. foxes, cats, dogs, ferrets and birds of prey).
   
• The way a guinea pig behaves will depend on his/her age, personality and past experiences.
   
• If a guinea pig changes his/her behaviour, he/she could be distressed, bored, ill or injured.
   
• Guinea pigs that are frightened or in pain may change their behaviour or develop unwanted habits e.g. aggression or hiding most of the time.
   
• Signs that a guinea pig may be suffering from stress or fear can include hiding most of the time, chewing cage bars, over-grooming, altered feeding or toileting habits, over-drinking or playing with the water bottle, sitting hunched, reluctance to move, and repeated circling of his/her enclosure.

Things you should do 

• Make sure your guinea pigs can access all the things that they need at all times (space, food, water, safe hiding places, companion guinea pig(s) and toys).
   
• Provide your guinea pigs with safe toys to play with and chew, and regular opportunities to play with other friendly guinea pigs or people.
   
• Make sure your guinea pigs have constant access to safe hiding places where they can escape if they feel afraid.
   
• Make sure your guinea pigs have opportunities to exercise every day to stay fit and healthy.
   
• Provide your guinea pigs with suitable materials that allow tunnelling behaviour, such as pipes and deep areas of hay.
   
• Be observant. If your guinea pig’s behaviour changes or he/she shows regular signs of stress or fear, seek advice from a vet or clinical animal behaviourist.
   
• Be quiet and gentle around your guinea pigs. Never shout at or punish your guinea pigs, they are very unlikely to understand and can become more nervous or scared. If your guinea pig’s behaviour becomes an ongoing problem, seek expert advice from your vet or a clinical animal behaviourist.