| With a hamster, you can just toss a wheel in its | | | | Do you see a lot of popcorning? Do your pigs |
| cage and it'll hop right on it and chug away - going | | | | generally walk and move around much of the |
| nowhere - and he'll be perfectly happy. It reminds | | | | time? If so, then you can be sure they are |
| me of the people you see at the health club - | | | | getting at least some exercise. My |
| chugging away on their elliptical trainers - going | | | | recommendation is that if your pig is generally |
| nowhere - but getting healthier. Toss a wheel into | | | | active in its cage, then it should still get out to |
| your guinea pig's cage and see what happens. | | | | really stretch its legs and run free at least 25 |
| Chances are she'll chew on it - that is until she | | | | minutes every other day. If you have a |
| gets bored and ignores it. You also know what to | | | | sedentary pig who generally just eats and sleeps, |
| do with a dog. Put it on a leash and take it for a | | | | then - even though it may live in a large cage - I |
| walk. When was the last time you saw anyone | | | | still recommend that it get out to explore and |
| outside walking their guinea pig? What's good for | | | | exercise daily for at least 25 minutes. |
| dogs is not necessarily good for guinea pigs. | | | | Even if your pig is "hyperactive" in his cage I still |
| So how do you give your pig exercise to make | | | | recommend that he get out at least every other |
| sure he stays healthy and happy? | | | | day for nothing other than mental stimulation. |
| Simple - you let him run free. Find a safe area in | | | | Changing your pig's environment and exposing him |
| your home that is confined and free of hazards | | | | to new and exciting situations will stimulate his |
| like electrical cords. Guinea pigs are notorious | | | | brain and cause new neural connections to form. |
| chewers and, given the chance, can easily chew | | | | Pigs are curious little creatures who love to |
| through the insulation on an electrical cord and | | | | wander and explore - sniffing and nibbling on new |
| electrocute themselves. Cavies spend most of | | | | objects as they discover new things. |
| their lives in their cage. If your pig is confined in an | | | | Guinea pigs spend most of their lives confined in |
| area too small to exercise (such as a standard | | | | their living quarters. If you have provided them |
| size manufactured cage), she will need to get at | | | | with a large cage such as a C&C cage, then |
| least 25 minutes of free-running exercise every | | | | they will have a greater opportunity for exercise |
| day. If your pig is being kept in a larger C&C | | | | in their own home. Regardless, your pigs should |
| (Cubes and Coroplast) cage, then she may be | | | | still get out and explore daily, if possible, to insure |
| already getting a fair amount of exercise. | | | | that they get adequate exercise and mental |
| If your cavies live in a large cage, watch them | | | | stimulation. It is your responsibility as a caring pet |
| when they are in their home. Do they scurry | | | | owner. |
| around a lot? Do they run "laps" around the cage? | | | | |