alone and bored

Question
My guinea pig has a good sized cage, food, water a tube and tiny rattle toy. I attatched two cages together to give him more room. He is by himself so I wanted to know what I should get him to spend time while I am gone that will be fun for him. {He dosen't burrow}

Answer
Hello Lauren.

You answer is simple. Another guinea pig. Guinea pigs, when in the wild are used to running in packs of 10-15 pigs. They thrive on company and can become very bored and lonely without a companion, a friend. It sounds like you have the room for it!! I have watched my pigs transform into something great when they have a friend. The best pairing for a male is the following. If you baby is 6 months or older, get a BABY male. This way, they know right off the bat who the one in charge is. There always has to be dominance in the cage. If you pig is a YOUNG male, get another young male, or a much older one. I would personally go for the young one. THey are more likely to get along.

If this is ABSOLUTELY not an option, here are some things you could put into the cage.

1. PVC pipe
2. Empty toilet paper rolls filled with hay (timothy hay)
3. Empty oatmeal containers
4. Cardboard boxes (cut entrance / exit holes, and flip over)
5. Cat balls. I use the kind that are plastic with the bell inside.
6. Hidey homes / pigloos. Something to explore sleep in.
7. Bricks. I lay 2 side by side in the cage for climbing / sleeping.
8. Wooden chew toys / Children's wooden building blocks.
9. Piece of paper (plain, no ink). Crumble it into a ball and throw in cage. It's good for them to eat.
10. Colorful things. Guinea pigs can see color.

For a great informational site, go here:
www.guinealynx.com

Hope this helps.
Christy :)