Can You Walk A Guinea Pig? Of Course You Can!
By freak369
@freak369 (5112)
United States
February 7, 2007 11:17am CST
Most people think that guinea pigs are 'cute rats'; sorry, I love rats too buy guinea pigs are much more entertaining in my opinion. I got the bright idea that I wanted to take my piggies with me to the store, carrying three of them was out of the question so I grabbed a ferret harness and strapped it on Lady Sarah (rest in peace). Being an older sow, she didn't really like the idea of someting on her and she refused to budge an inch. Tweekie, a young female that got her name from her loud squeals (and that she was confiscated from a meth house) was the next to try it out. As soon as it was on her she started racing around the livingroom. Once outside and on the concrete she froze, just like Sarah. The ground wasn't hot so I figured she wasn't used to something so hard.
We walked about two blocks but we weren't breaking any speed records. Piggies have short little legs and they only move quickly when it comes to veggies or fresh hay. She stopped to smell almost everything so I had to be on guard for glass, bugs, trash and everything else at their level. The looks from people in cars driving by was priceless. "Is that a rat?" on person asked. Uhhh, does it look like a rat you fool?
Tweekie really liked walking a couple blocks outside but none of the others ever made it out the door. As soon as I would shake the leash and she'd hear it, she was ready to go. Most of the time I let her walk on the grass but I had to be careful that there wasn't anything there to hurt her.
You can't use a regular leash on a guinea pig, you need a harness and you have to make sure that it fits them correctly or else they will slither out of it. I am sure that fellow myLot member Pigglies will be able to tell you places to get these harnesses. Secondly, you can't use a regular leash like the kind for dogs. Imagine trying to have a guinea pig drag around all that weight. The nylon ones for ferrets work well but don't leave it laying around, piggies - for what ever reason - like gnawing on them.
Tweekie never walked more than a couple of blocks with me and with all the "must stop and sniff everything" that goes on, it takes a while to get from point A to point B. Still it is nice to get them out and about. We usually went in the mid morning before the sun warmed up the concrete so we never had any problems with that. If she smelled flowers I had to pick her up and carry her or she'd go crazy. There was something about flowers that she loved.
So if you have guinea pigs and want to show them off, get them a little exercise or just expose them to new things, consider taking them for a walk but don't over do it. Check the ground often for things that could hurt them and have them wear the harness around the house for a couple minutes a day so they get used to it. Never over tighten a harness or yank on the lead.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
7 Feb 07
One thing to be careful of when walking piggies, is that they're not going to slip out of the harness. Their body shape and head shape aren't easy to fit. I've tried the ones made for guinea pigs and they're rather ineffective (or only hold them in because they're so tight that you wonder if the person who designed them ever saw a guinea pig).
When I was younger, I made one before out of denim that worked well. But really, I don't have a need to harness my piggies. I can just let them run around on the floor for exercise inside. Or if I let them outside, build a run out of cubes (like the closet storage kind).
Another thing to be careful of, especially in public rather than your backyard, is dogs. Yes, there are leash laws in many places. But not everyone follows them. One mistake and it's easy for an accident to happen.
However, guinea pigs don't seem to have the danger that is a common problem for rabbits. Rabbits often break their backs frantically trying to escape a harness. Guinea pigs may try to escape, but aren't so frantic about it I guess.
Guinea pigs definitely aren't for people who want a pet that will walk on a leash (neither are rabbits, can't speak for ferrets as they're illegal here so I haven't had one). However, they do a ton of other cute things. And it can be a fun experience to turn heads as long as their safety is kept in mind.
1 person likes this
@freak369 (5112)
• United States
7 Feb 07
Safety is always first when they go for a walk. Dogs were never really a problem for use, most of the people had those small dogs that ran away when they saw their own shadow.
When we lived in San Diego there were ferret rescue places that you could adopt from but you had to jump through hoops and have paper work. When I asked why they sold ferret supplies but not ferrets I was given the stupid line about ferrets ruining the ecosystem. 99% of ferrets are sold to be in non breeding condition (neutered).
You are 100% right, pigs aren't pets that someone should get if they want someone to exercise with. It takes work to get them used to the harness and you can't force them to walk with you. One thing that I loved about taking Tweekie for a walk is I never had to trim her nails. That was something that I hated doing because I was always afraid I'd cut too far. Thankfully Fernella always helped when they needed a clipping.
1 person likes this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
7 Feb 07
Sometimes even small dogs can attack though. I know a couple people who've had their guinea pigs killed by dachshunds.
I don't think mine would walk enough to have me stop trimming their nails, but I don't mind it. :) I volunteer to trim nails frequently of people who bring their pigs to rescue events.
Speaking of Fenella, any word on what's happened to her? I was trying to contact her earlier about a potential adoption. Ended up finding a pig up here, but was just wondering what's happened with her if you knew.
1 person likes this
@freak369 (5112)
• United States
7 Feb 07
We don't live in San Diego any more. The last thing I saw of her was online about a month ago for an adoption thing in Chula Vista.
www.weecompanions.com has all her contact info, she shouldn't be hard to find. Her number was right on the page as well as her AOL email address.
@ShadyGrove (996)
• United States
9 Feb 07
That must have been some site! lol
Did you take any pictures? That'd be fun to post on the site.
I used to have piggies and they did love to be out in the yard. I had to make sure they were always supervised as they would make a nice chunky morsel for a passing hawk!
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@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I found an old film photo of a leash and harness actually made for a guinea pig. As you can see on the model, she is still rather young and small yet it's too tight. I took it off her pretty quickly after snapping the pic. She was one of my first guinea pigs.
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@pebbles724 (642)
• United States
8 Feb 07
We had actually bought a leash and harness made just for guine pigs, but our pigs hate wearing it. So when we take them outside, we just bring them in the backyard and let them stroll around in the grass (which they love to eat). They are pretty lazy, so they do more sitting than walking, but I think it is good for them to get outside every once in awhile for some fresh air and a change of scenery. We don't keep them outside for very long, just maybe 10 or 15 minutes, but it's a nice little change for them.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
8 Feb 07
Ahhh, the only thing holding me back from buying pet guinea pigs was the question, "could I get my walking exercise every day?" Now I know I can, and they sound as though they want to walk about the same distance as me, so it's off to the pet store today.
@Bizziebod (3497)
•
8 Feb 07
Aw I've only had one guinea pig, but I've had lots of rats! My best friend has four piggies and I must agree with you they are entertaining! I know she lets her out in the garden for a run (She usually keeps them in a huge cage in the house) I think I might suggest to her that she gets a lead for them!
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