How to Hold Guinea Pig Races

Guinea pigs (cavies) need regular exercise to stay healthy. One of the best ways of giving your guinea pig exercise is with ten or twenty minutes of supervised floor time. When I had many guinea pigs, I was always looking for ways to give them some exercise and to interact with them. This became a tradition in my home for the first Saturday in May, but the races can be done anytime. This is best for guinea pigs that like human company. This can also be a fun way to teach your guinea pig to come when called.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• At least two guinea pigs that like people
• Cage lid or other "starting gate"
• Romaine lettuce or other choice food reward
• A guinea pig safe stretch of hallway or floor
• Lots and lots of patience
• Spectators (optional but recommended)

The Run for the Rodents

1. Choose a guinea pig safe, low human traffic hallway for the race. Determine where the finishing line is.
2. Gather together a cage lid of venitlated box for a "starting gate", the reward of a treat like Romaine lettuce and your spectators.
3. Parade the guinea pigs by holding them securely and walking one at a time in front of the spectators. If the guinea pig doesn't like being held so long, skip this and just make up a speil about odds, breeding and past performance.
4. Place guinea pigs in starting gate. It's all right if they move around and do not have to start at a straight line or come out of any position. In the long run, it won't matter.
5. Quickly lift the cage lid or box and say, "They're off!" and get out of the way of the guinea pig racers. You'll have more than enough time to slowly and carefully get out of the way. When guinea pigs are startled, they stay completely still. Eventually, when they calm down, their curiosity gets the better of them and they will search for things to nibble -- especially their favorite treats at the finish line.
6. Shorten the distance of the race if the guinea pigs haven't moved in minutes. Shorten again if necessary.
7. Make sure all of the guinea pig contestants get praise and treats, no matter if they won, lost or refused to move. Try to make it as positive of an experience for them as possible. The next time, they will be more familiar with the whole idea, know that it's safe, and set to exploring and nibbling (and racing) sooner.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure there aren't any pets like cats, terriers or very large birds about that could have access to the guinea pigs.
• Make sure that all of the people in the house are aware that guinea pigs are on the floor.
• Always supervise your guinea pigs.
• Try not to cheer too loudly. Sometimes, this scares them and makes them bolt in the opposite direction. Calling their names softly not only helps them to win the race, but to learn to come when called.
• The first race is usually the longest because it is a new experience for the guinea pigs and they really aren't sure of what to do.
• Don't put guinea pigs in large plastic hamster balls that claim to be for guinea pigs. They don't get the point of such toys and often panic when placed inside of one. Guinea pigs have also been known to hurt themselves inside of them.
• Don't thump your feet on the ground, push or try to startle the guinea pigs into running. That scares them even more. Be patient and let them figure it out. When they get the food reward, they will learn that racing can be fun and delicious!
• Don't force a guinea pig to race when he or she clearly doesn't want to. End the race as soon as a guinea pig looks too stressed. Adult guinea pigs are recommended for races.
• Don't expect a guinea pig first race to be over in under twenty minutes if all of the guinea pigs are racing for the first time.
• Don't feed iceberg lettuce to your guinea pig.