Finished Guinea Pig Paw Prints

No, this isn't a belated Valentine's Day project. I realized that I never got around to sharing the finished paw prints so here they are! And in case you missed it the first time, a link to the DIY paw print tutorial.

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.

Guinea Pig Paw Prints Tutorial

Forget baby hand prints... check out Poof's piggy paw prints!

As promised, here's our craft tutorial for making guinea pig paw print keepsakes. Instead of using a pre-made pet kit, this easy DIY project makes use of ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry.

Guinea Pig Paw Prints Preview - Abby-Roo

 

Clay paw prints. I've seen premade kits sold for for babies, dogs, and even the occasional feline - but never for guinea pigs. So I figured I'd try making them myself.

After experimenting with a few DIY mixes I finally got a good set of imprints. Abby-Roo's came out particularly well. Even though she's no longer the smallest in the herd she still has the daintiest little piggy feet!

Anyone interested in a craft tutorial on how to make your own guinea pig paw print keepsakes?

Update: Craft tutorial here.

Felt Guinea Pig Ornaments Preview - Revy

'Tis the season... to try my hand at crafting felt guinea pig ornaments. Naturally, they couldn't be generic ones - I had to try making custom ornaments in each pig's likeness.

Homemade Guinea Pig Toy DIY: Tunnel Tube

Some of the best guinea pig toys can be made from items found around your home. Here's how to turn an empty oatmeal container into a fun cardboard tunnel.

How to Build a C&C Guinea Pig Bunk Bed

The newest additions to our C&C cage setup are guinea pig bunk beds. The pigs have quickly taken to their new furnishings with enthusiasm. Peaches enjoys using the top bunk as a retreat from her piggy sisters. Revy has become fond of snoozing in the lofty perch. Truffle can often be seen hopping upstairs for a nap while Belka springs up to sniff around for snacks. Meanwhile, Poof and Abby-Roo appreciate the privacy of the lower bunk.

We were inspired to make our own bunk beds after seeing these piggies. Since these standalone units don't take up much floor space, they're great especially if you don't have room for a loft. Best of all they're easy and quick to build, particularly if you have extra C&C supplies on hand. Here's a tutorial on how to build bunk beds for your own piggies.

How to Grow Wheatgrass Indoors for your Guinea Pigs

The first time I ran across wheatgrass while grocery shopping it never occurred to me to juice the blades as a drink for myself. Instead the thought that came to mind was, "I wonder if the piggies can eat this?"

GuineaLynx, the go-to resource for cavy health, confirmed that not only was wheatgrass safe for guinea pigs to eat but that it was also a common forage food. Being an excited piggy mom, I rushed back to the store. The wheatgrass was a hit and the pigs were hooked. Every wheeker I've had since has loved the treat. However, they weren't so fond of sharing the minuscule containers so I looked into growing it myself.

An easygoing green, there are many different ways to grow wheatgrass. I created this simple guide to illustrate the method that has worked best for me to satisfy six spoiled, grass-happy pigs. Poof was more than happy to help pose/eat.

DIY Guinea Pig Toy: Fleece Forest

Fleece forests have become quite popular over the past few months. Reminiscent of the drying strips seen at drive through car washes, the hanging panels of fringe provide cavies a place to run through, sleep under, and hide behind.

After seeing several pictures of inquisitive pigs exploring their thicket of fabric, we decided to try a hand at making one ourselves.

DIY guinea pig toy: Paper bag of hay

Have any spare paper bags lying around? For quick piggy entertainment fold the edges back, stuff with a handful or two of hay and lay them sideways in your cavy's cage.

Guinea pig DIY: Acrylic backed C&C grid cage

Truffle and Poof gaze at each other from opposite sides of the acrylic

Many guinea pig owners are undoubtedly familiar with finding all sorts of things outside the confines of their cavies cage. Hay, poop, bedding and pellets are the most common culprits. Occasionally stray bits of fruit or vegetables make their way across the room, no doubt launched by a pig in an energetic moment.

How to dry corn husks for guinea pigs

Morry, Sharky and Coppy appreciate the results of their slaves hard work

Now that summer is around the corner, corn has been popping up for sale at our local markets. While guinea pigs shouldn't have too much corn, the husks are another story. They are nutritionally similar to grass and hay (31.6% crude fiber, 2.6% crude protein), making them a healthy snack.

Since every cavy here loves corn husks, we always pick up as much as possible and set some aside to dry and save for later. Dried husks are a favorite piggy treat that can be enjoyed even when corn goes out of season. Here are instructions on how to prepare them.

Cranberries for cavies - eating, choosing, freezing and storing

Most cavy owners know that their piggies can eat strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. It may come as a surprise to find out that guinea pigs can also eat cranberries!

DIY guinea pig toy: shoebox and hay

Poof and Truffle sharing the hay
Truffle: Poof is hogging the shoe box, durr! *grumble
Poof: Don't call me a hog, you pig!

Here's another easy toy you can make for your guinea pigs using a cardboard shoe box. As with anything else you give your piggies, just make sure to remove all potentially chewable materials (such as labels, packaging tape, or stickers).

DIY guinea pig toy: cardboard box hideaway

The simplest toys can make your guinea pig happy. Here's an easy DIY hideout any cavy is bound to enjoy. Finally, a use for all those extra cardboard boxes!

Guinea Pig DIY Hideaway Tent

Have extra grids and fleece lying around from building your guinea pigs a C&C cage? Don't let those spare parts go to waste, try building a fun cage accessory for your cavies to play and hide in! Today we wanted to share our easy DIY hideaway tent. Plus, it's practically free.

Hay Solutions: Vertical hay rack

Hay is an essential staple of every guinea pig's diet, and should be available for your piggy to munch on freely at all times. One of the things an owner has to decide is how to give hay to their guinea pig. Whee here at the Cali Cavy Collective have experimented with many different methods of hay dispensing and would like to share our experiences with each method.

Revy munching hay from her vertical hay rack

A vertical hay rack is our humans most recent solution to dispensing hay. Ours is a simple DIY version made from bent C&C grids, coroplast and zip ties. It is secured onto the side of the cage with a large binder clip for easy removal.

DIY guinea pig toy: Hay tube treats

Hay-in-a-tube treat: oat hay on the left, timothy in the middle, and orchard grass on the right

Sometimes when our humans have extra cardboard tubes they make us hay-in-a-tube treats. They first got the idea from this useful list of ways to entertain your piggy.