12.08.2014

DIY Guinea Pig Toy: Box of Hay


If you're anything like me, you have several cardboard boxes at any given time lying around the house, thanks to your latest Amazon or other online purchase. (Blame Black Friday.)

Why keep them instead of tossing them in the recycling bin right away? For guinea pig entertainment purposes, of course! A box, sheets of newspaper, and fresh hay are all it takes to turn those empties into an easy, inexpensive source of piggy fun.

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Trim the box to a pig-friendly height, making sure to remove any harmful chewable materials along the way (labels, packaging tape, stickers, etc). At least one side should be low enough for your cavy to enter and exit from.
  2. Line the bottom with a few sheets of newspaper.
  3. Fill the box with fresh hay and place in your guinea pig's cage! Try mixing several varieties to encourage foraging. We use a combination of timothy, orchard, and sweet meadow hay.
  4. Don't be surprised if your pig decides to leave a few beans behind. Recycle or compost soiled boxes.
Guinea pig Poof nestled in hay box toy

Poof in particular loves to nest in tasty piles of fresh hay. I've seen her spend entire afternoons lounging and snacking at leisure while defending her territory from other would-be snackees. 

Will you be giving this a try? 

13 comments:

  1. I really like the photo of Poof hiding in the hay. Such a sneaky little piggy.

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  2. Poof was practicing her Covert Eating Ops skills. She says it's a talent.

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  3. Oh my goodness!! Too cute, I love Poof! My girls love their hay boxes and usually end up popcorning into the wall due to high excitement levels.

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  4. Lora, that sounds adorable! Mine just hurl themselves into the box and refuse to come out.

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  5. What is the point of doing step 2?

    P.S. This is the first time I visit your blog and I have been reading it for several hours. I just can't stop. Love your pigs, love your words.

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    1. Hi Shumc, glad you are enjoying it! The newspapers are there to soak up urine since they sometimes decide to pee in there as well. Lining it with Carefresh or other similar bedding works as well =)

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  6. I used to keep the reach-in tissue boxes for this. Alas, they've stopped making them, but I may start cutting out the top of the pop-up tissue boxes and use them instead.

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  7. I've done it before and am inspired to do it again now. What a darling photo! xo Jennifer

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  8. I have a stash of empty toilet paper tubes for pig purposes myself. Us guinea moms end up hoarding the oddest things.

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  9. Can you do a cage tour video soon?

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  10. Got a few other videos lined up already but a cage tour is also in the works! If you subscribe on YouTube you'll get a notification when it goes up :)


    http://www.youtube.com/user/CaliCavyCollective

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