As adorable as guinea pigs are, at first glance, you might think they aren’t the most active creatures given how round they are, with a proclivity for being stationary more often than not.

This same train of thought might lead someone to think their guinea pig needs to go on a jog to lose some pounds, but truthfully, this situation can become very dangerous within mere moments. So, the question still remains: Will guinea pigs run on a wheel? Let’s find out.

No, guinea pigs will not run on wheels, and they should not. They can become trapped, fall off, or have many other potential issues. Aside from the more obvious reasons, there are better alternatives to this exercise option in particular.

This article will discuss why guinea pigs should not run on wheels. Afterward, we will provide many alternatives to ensure your guinea pig gets plenty of exercise in their daily routine.

Knowing what you should expect a guinea pig to do regarding their physical health is essential, as that is just as important as their diet or the time you spend with them personally. If this resonates with you, we encourage you to continue reading.

 

Should Guinea Pigs Run On Wheels?

 

No, guinea pigs should not run on wheels. Their physiology is not meant for them to extend and flex themselves in ways that an exercise wheel is to be used. In attempting to do so, the guinea pig is much more likely to hurt itself than to have even the most fleeting moment of enjoyment.

The main reason they can’t use running wheels is their muscle structure. None of it facilitates the rather extreme flexibility required to operate the wheel itself, and in doing so, they risk damaging their spine and pulling muscles in their legs.

These very same legs also do not have the same kind of padding most other rodents have, with foot pads more suited to the finer things in life (not literally). However, due to excess wear on their little paws, they are much more likely to develop sores, lesions, and other complications, so it’s best to avoid the situation altogether. 

 

Are Running Wheels Stimulating for a Guinea Pig?

 

Running wheels, hypothetically, could be stimulating, but the problem with that rhetoric is that stimulating doesn’t necessarily mean good. While it can stimulate them with physical activity and general movement, it’s still unsafe. Any enjoyment they would have is greatly overshadowed by the risk that is right around the corner from the slightest mishap.

Considering how many delightful alternatives there are for guinea pigs to play with, gravitating towards the running wheel simply isn’t the best choice. Most cavies truthfully express higher levels of boredom when exposed to a running wheel anyway, so they do not miss much.

 

Should Guinea Pigs Run Around?

 

Yes, guinea pigs should always have ample room to explore, run, and dabble in any physical activities that they are interested in. They should also have multiple areas that can provide unique experiences for them to bounce between throughout their day.

A lack of variety in your guinea pigs’ enclosure can make them lazy or apathetic about doing anything in general, and a growing sense of unease can creep up on them. This could blossom into unexpected behavior and anger toward you in smaller interactions.

Suppose you are seeking options to get your guinea pig more active. In that case, there are a multitude of smaller toys they can safely play with, like small ramps for them to go up and down, tube obstacles (which can be expanded upon by getting tunnels, or allowing them to burrow), balls, and other similar toys that allow them to push and pull around for hours of enjoyment.

 

Can You Build a Guinea Pig Run for Outdoors?

 

Hypothetically, yes, you can build a guinea pig run outdoors, and it would be an amazing time for your pig due to the new environment, the sense of exploration from said environment, the sounds, and ultimately the experience itself.

However, it is absolutely pivotal that you take the time to guarantee it is not only safe from potential predators but also out of the way enough for no one to stumble upon it.

Whilst you may be led to believe that normal predators can be the biggest threat to your pig in an outside play area, small children, other pets, and accidents are much more likely to occur.

As such, you’ll need to double down on your security efforts to ensure that the time you spend making the play area meets the standard of keeping your pet secure from harm’s way.

Stress testing spots for potential vulnerability, ensuring great visibility on your pig at all times, and remaining in the area are absolutely necessary to guarantee that things go well and that your pig has a great time.

Never leave your pig outside unattended, even for a moment. If you intend on walking away, place your furry friend back inside its enclosure before going about your business.

What Steps Can You Take To Build a Guinea Pig Run?

 

Building your own guinea pig run isn’t exactly difficult, but it can be a rather steep financial investment depending on how deep you intend to give it and how large you need it to be to satisfy your expectations and your pigs’ desires.

 

1. Get a Larger Enclosure

 

The first thing you’ll need to do is get a larger enclosure to accommodate the entirety of the guinea pigs’ new run area. You won’t need to do this if you are building the run separately from its primary enclosure. Still, the thought process here leans towards them always having access to it instead of needing your help to get their fun started.

A few of the biggest reasons you’d need to consider more room boil down to things like hiding places. They will need room to waddle around and other decorative pieces to spice the area and make it visually different from their regular living space. Keeping things unique will allow them to become the escape that they were meant to be.

 

2. Take Safety Precautions

 

Next, you have to designate the area itself and double down on the safety methods we spoke of earlier. It can be as simple as making something that rubs directly against the side of your home or a special part of a room that is sanctioned off from the hustle and bustle of your home, which would grant it the seclusion of being a safe haven for your pig.

Regardless, you’ll need to keep a vigilant eye on your pig while it is playing in the new area. As said before, mishaps can occur at any time, and you’re better off playing things safe than being sorry or having regrets.

 

3. Decorate the Area

 

In addition to the decorative tidbits you can sprinkle around the run area (which can be a large foldable cage, fencing, or anything of the like), you’ll want to have several toys that your pig normally doesn’t have access to, some unique ways to travel upward and downward—think burrows or tunnels, for example—and finally, clean water, as your pig will get thirsty in its new area.

 

4. Hygiene in the Run

 

While it is relatively obvious, an increase in physical activity will make your pig’s digestive tract work a little faster, and to that end, you can expect some additional decorative pieces from your pig’s rear end.

All jokes aside, you’ll need to keep your pig’s running area very tidy, especially if it’s inside your home, which is another reason why watching over it is imperative. After all, nothing is worse than not noticing guinea pig droppings stowed away in random corners of a room or inside smaller toys (like the tunnels) and questioning why it’s beginning to reek for no obvious reason.

 

What Other Toys Can Guinea Pigs Play With?

 

Anything ranging from basic balls and safe trinkets they can nibble and pull at will suffice. Still, their favorites will be toys that allow them to explore and wriggle into things, so tunnels are always a popular choice, but bear in mind you don’t need to invest a fortune for your pig to be happy.

Even cardboard boxes, crumpled-up paper (void of inks and the like, which can be unsafe), oatmeal containers, and even paper tower spools can all make for silly, cheap toys that your guinea pig will love. While these options might not be the most visually appealing to you, your pig will love them!

 

What Are Other Ways To Exercise Your Guinea Pig?

 

There are a few different ways to get your pig to step it up physically and literally, but we’ll briefly go over them again just to ensure all options are on the table and you have a better view of what your options are, assuming you don’t want to build a guinea pig run entirely.

 

1. Provide A Large Enclosure

 

The larger your pig’s enclosure, the more opportunity it has to explore things and get its workout in. Better yet, with increased size, you can fit more toys and viable avenues of fun. Thankfully, this step isn’t that complicated and allows you a great range of expression on how you’d like to decorate the enclosure itself, as well as what options you would like to squeeze inside it, with safety always being the priority.

 

2. Have Supervised Playtime Outside Of The Cage

 

While building a guinea pig run is a great idea, not everyone has the time and knows how to set up something of that size or complexity. To that end, any time outside their cage or enclosure is a good time. Secure the area from outside dangers and things your pig shouldn’t be getting into, and you are off to the races.

If you intend to do this but don’t want to set up a fence, you’ll want to stay inside your home. If you aren’t actively gating off portions of the outside world, the risk of your cavy escaping into the wild or something dire befalling it is large.

 

3. Provide Foraging Opportunities

 

Going back to the basics doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing, and truthfully, it could provide some of the most interesting forms of entertainment your pig has ever had, setting up small pieces of kibble or other delicious treats for your pig to find in random places can be fun for both you and your pet.

Think of it like hide-and-seek or even hiding Easter eggs. The difference is that you are only contending with yourself, and the entertainment you provide for your pet is immediate. They’ll enjoy the chase of finding snacks, and you’ll enjoy watching your fluff ball scurry around. It’s a win-win situation!

 

4. Change Up The Environment Every So Often

 

In the same way that variety is the spice of life, that old adage also rings true for pets. You would be wise to consider swapping the layout of your pig enclosure and running every few weeks to keep things fresh and exciting.

Another solid idea would be to have an assortment of toys that are only available for a limited time before you rotate to a different set after a bit of play. This will allow you to invest in fewer toys overall and allow them to last for as long as possible because they aren’t constantly worn down.

 

5. Give Certain Chewing Items

 

Nibbling and gnawing are some of guinea pigs’ favorite pastimes, so allowing them to indulge in this activity is a no-brainer. However, the change-up idea is even more poignant here as it’ll save you greatly, in the long run, to keep rotating them out to avoid key areas getting damaged from decisive chewing.

 

6. Make Sure They Have Enrichment Toys

 

Guinea pigs need mental stimulation just as much as they need physical expression, so getting a few toys that give them a better quality of life and allow them to challenge themselves will be the perfect finishing touch on both a normalized enclosure and an outside run.

Final Words

 

As fascinating as it is for guinea pigs to use a running wheel, it’s simply not the best choice for these adorable creatures. It doesn’t provide the same level of entertainment it does for other animals, and it can be incredibly dangerous for them. Thankfully, there are several better alternatives at your disposal, and most of them are much cheaper, so you aren’t missing out on much, but your guinea pig has everything to gain.