Guinea pigs are wonderful pets that can be full of character and fun. Just because they are small and fairly easy to maintain, does not mean that they should not be given any guinea pig toys or guinea pig accessories to show them how much we care. There are a huge selection of items available that will keep your guinea pig entertained. Some are specialized for guinea pigs in particular while others are for a whole host of small pets that we may have. We have listed a selection of what we rate as the best guinea pig toys on the market that can be used within guinea pig cages or simply in your living room when under supervision. Many will fit easily within big guinea pig cages so that your guinea pigs can keep themselves amused even when you are out.
The Best Guinea Pig Toy
1 Prevue Pet Products Multi-Color Small Animal Playpen
This playpen for pets is ideal for small animals like guinea pigs and can also be used by hamsters, mice, gerbils or any other small animals you may have. What’s great about it is that you can put your guinea pig in this playpen which reaches a wide 36” wide in diameter when properly constructed. You can leave your guinea pig safe in the knowledge that your guinea pig can’t escape, plus you can fill the playpen with lots of toys and other items that keep your guinea pig entertained. They can have a great play and get some much important exercise.
The wire panels measure 13 inches along and 9 inches high. The space between each wire is ⅜ inch. They are multi colored which makes for an attractive and playful finish. It is possible to buy two packs of these panels at the same time to make an even wider pen for your pet.
9 panels of wired fencing
Wires are spaced ⅜ inch apart
When all connected, panels can make a 36” diameter play area
- Brand: Prevue Pet Products
2 Living World Small Animal Tunnel
Some of the best guinea pig toys on the market are the ones that guinea pigs can hide in. This pet tunnel is therefore a perfect option to put in their cage and living space with them, or even within the pet playpen listed above. It comes in two sizes so can be purchased depending on the size of your guinea pig, yet it can fold up very small too which makes it ideal for easy storage solutions. Owners can also buy a separate tent to attach to the tunnel in which guinea pigs will love to hide whether in any big guinea pig cages or a wider outdoor space.
Folds up easily
Great for guinea pigs who love to hide
Comes in both medium and large sizes
- Brand: Living World
- Model: 61396
- Weight: 4.8 ounces
3 Kaytee Cuddle-E-Cup Plush Small Animal Bed
This cute little bed for small animals is perfect to be put to work amongst your other guinea pig accessories. It’s great to leave out as a place for your guinea pig to hide, but it is also useful to put in guinea pig cages as a place for them to curl up and sleep to feel safe or warmer.
Comes in a variety of sizes
Machine washable
Padded floor with foam free filling
- Brand: Kaytee
- Model: 100079510
- Weight: 4 ounces
4 WINOMO Guinea Pig Hanging Toy
This hanging toy from WINOMO is good to add to any big guinea pig cages you have for your pets as it gives your guinea pig a place to curl up when they want to feel a little more contained. It is easy to use owing to the four clip chains it comes with to attach it easily to any guinea pig cages regardless of make or size.
Soft to touch for ultimate comfort
Easy to use
Resistant to rust and corrosion
- Brand: WINOMO
- Model: aa–70
- Weight: 0.8 ounces
5 Ware Manufacturing Willow Branch Ball
Guinea pigs love to gnaw on things so this little willow branch ball is ideal to use as it is fun for your guinea pig to both push around as well as chew upon. Chewing helps keep their teeth clean so improves their dental health. Plus, the toy is 100% natural so safe both for them and the environment.
Good for guinea pig dental health
Made of all natural willow
4 inches long and high
- Brand: Ware Manufacturing
- Model: 3153
- Weight: 0.6 ounces
6 Kaytee Tropical Fiddle Sticks Small Animal Hideout
While these tropical fiddle sticks from Kaytee are completely natural, they are also fun to look at due to being multicolored. Your guinea pig will love hiding within the sticks when they are put up like a tunnel, but as they are flexible in design, your guinea pig can also move it around or gnaw on it quite safely within his or her guinea pig cage. This toy comes in a variety of pack sizes so that if you own more than one guinea pig you can put several in big guinea pig cages at a time, or simply replace once your guinea pig has chewed it beyond use.
Multicolored wooden hiding place
Flexible for a guinea pig to play with
When flat, measures 30 cm long
- Brand: Kaytee
- Model: 100079181
- Weight: 15.4 ounces
7 eCOTRITION Snak Shak Guinea Pig & Rabbit Log
eCotrition has designed a guinea pig toy that has three benefits in one. Firstly, a guinea pig can chew on it so that it helps relieve boredom while also helping with their dental hygiene at the same time. Secondly, it is a treat to them as it tastes great owing to the honey flavoring. Lastly, they can hide within it which is a natural instinct for guinea pigs when out in the wild.
Three in one design – a chew, a treat and a hideaway
Comes in a variety of sizes. Large is suitable for a guinea pig
Tastes great to guinea pigs
- Brand: eCOTRITION
- Model: E2203
- Weight: 1 pounds
8 Kaytee Perfect Chews Guinea Pig Toy
Guinea pigs love to chew and there are a whole selection of items on this toy that will satiate that need. It is easy to attach within a guinea pig cage and means that you can leave your guinea pig happily entertained for hours. It is even available in a pack of two for those guinea pigs that seem to have an insatiable gnawing instinct that requires many a toy for relief.
Long chew toy to hang within guinea pig cages
Will help reduce boredom
100% chewable (bar the metal hook attachment)
- Brand: Kaytee
- Model: 100504112
- Weight: 1.6 ounces
9 Ware Critter Pops Small Animal Fun Chew Treats
Rice pops make a good addition to big guinea pig cages as guinea pig chew toys can help relieve boredom while encouraging a guinea pig’s natural foraging behavior. The crunchy texture of these pops are irresistible to guinea pigs so make a great addition to any guinea pig stuff that owners have.
Crunchy texture is good for dental hygiene
Keeps guinea pigs entertained when in their cages
Can be fed by hand or left in the cage
- Brand: Ware Manufacturing
- Model: 3076
- Weight: 0.8 ounces
10 Wheeky Treat Ball Toy for Guinea Pigs
This small yellow ball can also be used as a treat dispenser for your guinea pig so is an efficient way of encouraging your guinea pig to be active while feeding them at the same time. Guinea pigs will also have any boredom relieved when chasing around after this trying to knock food out, though it should always be used under supervision due to the small parts within the ball or any small pieces of food that you insert.
Food dispenser and guinea pig exercise toy in one
Around 7 cm in diameter
Can be used inside or outside of guinea pig cages
- Brand: Wheeky
- Model: EF-425
- Weight: 1.6 ounces
11 Kaytee Lava n Wood Hanging Toy
This is a unique toy from Kaytee given that it is a combination of lava or pumice stone mixed with natural wood. This mixture is rarely seen on the market yet both materials are fantastic for keeping a guinea pig’s teeth clean when they gnaw upon it.
Made from a mix of Lave and natural wood
Comes with a hanging hook for easy attachment
Just under 10 inches long
- Model: 100505830
- Weight: 2.4 ounces
12 TRIXIE Pet Products Guinea Pig Living Bridge
Trixie make some of the best guinea pig toys that are all natural. This guinea pig toy in particular acts as a fantastic hiding spot for you pets whilst in their guinea pig cages. It is made from wood so if they happen to gnaw upon it, it is totally safe while also helping keep their teeth and gums clean.
Natural wood
Good for guinea pigs to hide in
Will fit within guinea pig cages
- Brand: TRIXIE Pet Products
- Model: 4011905621524
- Weight: 15.5 ounces
13 Kaytee Rollin’ the Hay Dispenser
This ball has been designed to be used in a variety of ways to bring some extra fun and flavor into your guinea pig’s life. The Kaytee Rollin’ hay dispenser is specifically designed to keep your little friend’s treats off the cage floor. By doing this it keeps them from becoming contaminated by waste that will inevitably be on the ground between clean-outs. It is super simple to use, with three methods of display and use; You can either hang the ball from the cage so that it can be spun whilst your guinea pig plays and nibbles away at the tasty treats inside. Alternatively, you can have it secured as a stationary treat-station at the side of their cage, or you can bring it out at playtime for them to chase around, with a delicious reward when they catch it.
Whilst this is not necessarily a tidy toy to use, it is one that your Guinea will absolutely love! Multiple customers have mentioned that they prefer this particular brand of hay dispenser to other well-known brands. Happy owners have also remarked that this ball has been perfect for getting their otherwise lazy critters to be more active. Seeing as Guinea pigs have a tendency to struggle with weight gain as they get older, this can help to keep them lean and fit in their old age.
Can be stationary, hung, or rolled around.
Suitable for guinea pigs, rabbits, gerbils, and other small animals.
Ideal for a variety of healthy treats and veggies.
Designed to keep treats off the cage floor.
- Brand: Kaytee
- Model: Plastic
- Weight: 0.5 Pounds
14 Kaytee Ka-Bob Treat Dispenser Small Animal Chew Toy
We rate this as one of the best guinea pig toys as it can be easily attached to almost all guinea pig cages as well as glass owing to the suction cup. The toys attached to the the dispenser can be filled up with treats so it is a great way to keep your pet entertained while also feeding them.
Just over a foot long
Includes a bell and suction cup
Can be attached to any wire guinea pig cages
- Brand: Kaytee
- Model: 100079911
- Weight: 4 ounces
15 Ware Manufacturing Wooden Rolling Chew Toy
Measuring only 7 cm in height, this barrel roller animal chew can be used with other guinea pig exercise toys to keep your small pet entertained – either in or out of their guinea pig cages. They can gnaw on the wood in ultimate safety as it is 100% natural so there is no chance of ingesting a nasty glue or plastic part.
Designed to encourage exercise
100% safe for animals to chew
Small size specifically for guinea pig chew toys
- Brand: Ware Manufacturing
- Model: 14025
- Weight: 0.8 ounces
Best Guinea Pig Toy Buying Guide & FAQ
Features to Consider When Buying a Guinea Pig Toy
There are a number of things to consider when buying a guinea pig toy. Firstly, where the guinea pig toys are going to be played with is a massive factor. If you buy toys to put in a playpen, that means your guinea pig will be able to run around freely, but you should only really put them in a playpen while you are in the house. Otherwise there are some fantastic guinea pig toys and guinea pig accessories that can be bought that are good to put into guinea pig cages. Guinea pig chew toys are also fantastic for a pet’s oral health, but should only be used under supervision too.
Who Should Buy a Guinea Pig Toy?
Quite simply anyone who owns a guinea pig should buy a selection of the best guinea pig toys available. That selection needs to allow guinea pigs to be entertained in their guinea pig cages as well as out and about in a larger playpen. Guinea pigs need a little bit of exercise but also need things to gnaw on to keep their teeth clean and healthy.
Best Guinea Pig Toy FAQ:
Q: What toys can I give my guinea pig?
A: There are a few items that make the best guinea pig toys and the best guinea pig accessories. In particular, toys that provide your guinea pig with entertainment though gnawing, nibbling and burrowing is great for them. They do need a certain amount of exercise so some guinea pig toys that provide a level of exercise is great, but they are not meant to be very active animals so lots of activity should not be heavily encouraged aged.
Also remember that guinea pigs have sensitive stomachs like most small pets. Try to be wary of anything you give them that they can totally fit in the mouth, especially if it may be made by low quality metals, some cheap sort of paint that could well contain lead as well as any toy that uses a glue.
Bearing this in mind, the best guinea pig toys to get do not necessarily have to be the most expensive. In fact, many of the toys listed above are quite cheap. You can also give them a few odds and ends from around the house so that they can nibble away or even burrow using some of the things you give them. For instance, paper bags are a massive hit with guinea pigs as are water bottles and terracotta flower pots. Guinea pigs love anything they can hide in so pipes that are broken or even old paper towel rolls are great. A homemade toy that can make use of old socks by stuffing them with hay will also keep your guinea pig entertained as will any empty cardboard boxes for further hiding places. Shoeboxes are great as they are easy to cut holes out of for them to go in and out from.
There are a number of toys that guinea pigs can use by need to be used under supervision. Any cat or small bird toys could therefore be suitable, but be wary of anything with bells attached or any guinea pig accessories that are small enough for a guinea pig to fit in their mouth. Plastic spoons that have been used by you can also make some of the best guinea pig toys but be sure they don’t ingest any smaller pieces.
Q: Can a guinea pig use an exercise ball?
A: There are a couple of types of exercise ball that a guinea pig can use as guinea pig toys. However, only one makes one of the best guinea pig toys available especially for those that are in need of guinea pig exercise toys. The other is thought now to be dangerous for guinea pigs to use and those are the ones that guinea pigs can run around inside. These are sometimes referred to as guinea pig exercise wheels. Exercise balls can also be free standing that guinea pigs can be put in unlike the traditional exercise wheels.
These exercise wheels have been found to be able to damage a guinea pig’s back and spine due to being bent backwards while running. This can cause serious harm to your guinea pigs back and therefore a great deal of pain as a consequence. Exercise balls can otherwise be used if they are simply ones that are designed to be played with by pushing them about as opposed to running around inside. These types of guinea pig toys should actually be encouraged as they will keep your guinea pig happy and entertained as well as well exercised as a consequence. They come in such a wide variety that there will be some forms that your guinea pig prefers to others. They can vary in terms of material and color.
Natural play balls are currently quite popular as well as cheap to buy. They’re great to use as guinea pig chew toys too and they will therefore help your guinea pig’s dental health as at the same time. Look out for guinea pig chew toys that are play balls made of wicker or seagrass or even solid wooden blocks stuck together. These are fantastic for guinea pigs as they are non toxic but the act of chewing on them helps clean their teeth during the process of being entertained. They should last your guinea pig a few weeks for them to chew down on.
Some exercise balls will also have a treat in the middle or sometimes a toy like a bell. These are fine to use by your guinea pig but you should be aware of a couple of things before giving one to your pet. Firstly, pet treats can be bad for your pet – especially if used too much and eaten too often. Secondly, if your exercise balls contain little items like jingling bells they can be dangerous for your guinea pig as they are a choking hazard or can be ingested entirely which is bad for their digestive systems. Look out for exercise balls that are perfect to use simply due to being stuffed with hay or grass which guinea pigs love.
Q: Can I give my guinea pig toilet paper rolls?
A: You can definitely give your guinea pig toilet paper rolls which are the cheapest and environmentally friendly of guinea pig toys or guinea pig accessories out there. Plus they will keep your guinea pig entertained for a long time. The reason they are safe is that while your guinea pig will chew the rolls, they won’t ingest any of it so they are harmless to use as guinea pig chew toys. Additionally, guinea pigs love them. Guinea pigs have been seen to play around with toilet paper rolls for a long period of time. They are able to move them around from spot to spot and they even climb onto them if they can.
When using them, it is best to remove any remnants of toilet paper that are stuck to the toilet paper rolls. This is more for a case of clearing up the mess afterwards. Bearing that in mind, it is definitely a good not to give guinea pigs a toilet roll that is barely used. While your guinea pig will love it, they will create such a mess ripping up all the tissue which is very hard to clear up and tidy away again.
Our Top Pick
This playpen is, in our view, at the top of the best guinea pig toys. It can even be used by other animals that are small like hamsters, mice, gerbils or other small animals. We like it because it lets owners leave their pet guinea pigs with many other guinea pig toys or guinea pig accessories so that they are entertained easily and for a long period of time. It also means that their guinea pig can get a great deal of exercise as this is amongst one of the largest guinea pig cages available as it is 36” wide in diameter when constructed.
In fact, when put together, the multicolored panels which are 13” wide and 9 inches long make big guinea pig cages, which can be added to other packs of this playpen to make it even bigger. In fact, guinea pig owners can purchase a two pack of these panels for exactly that reason. The wire panels themselves have ⅜ inch gaps between the wires so your guinea pig has a huge space to run around and the tiny gaps make it impossible to escape.
In short, as an example of guinea pig cages that can be used with lots of guinea pig stuff at the same time, this playpen is hard to beat. It is perhaps one of the most helpful pieces of guinea pig accessories that you can buy.
Sources:
- Cheryl Lock, The Complete Guide to Guinea Pigs, PetMD
- Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS, 3 Ways to Choose Toys for a Guinea Pig, WikiHow
