Will Guinea Pigs Run Away Outside?
Guinea pigs tend to be more active and sometimes hop or even run across an open space. They do not try to get away... they just want to explore the world around them.
However, because of their curiosity, sometimes they reach places entirely unknown to them. Once they are outside, they can easily get lost. And by the time they notice they are lost, it is too late and they can hardly find their way back home.
Chances are that they have not ventured too far and are hiding somewhere in your home or garden. But it is very likely that your piggy is lost.
It is not always that guinea pigs run out because of curiosity; sometimes they run away because of other factors.
Here, we will look at what makes guinea pigs run away and discuss this topic more in-depth.
Can Guinea Pigs Escape Outside?
Yes, they can easily escape. Guinea pigs know how to go from one place to another, for sure.
Their sense of direction is not as good as other animals though, especially if they have never been outside their cage. They often need someone to help them find their way from one place to another.
They’ve been known to be very creative and clever at getting out of their cage. They like to try new things and find new places. Unfortunately, because of this curiosity they can escape.
Here are a few reasons that your piggy might get away -
- It simply is not happy. Maybe it isn’t happy with the cage or items you are offering.
- Your pig may get annoyed. If they get annoyed, they’ll leave home if they can.
- Guinea pigs may leave their homes when they don’t like the food, are lonely, or don’t have things to do.
- They are easily scared, so they try to run away (even if there is no way out).
- Sometimes they get so curious about the things outside the yard that they just have to investigate.
How Can I Train My Guinea Pig Not to Run Away?
Pigs that feel safe will run toward you while others will run away from you. Your goal is to make them feel “confident” & “safe” when you are around. Here are some ways to train your little one not to run away.
- Please spend some time with them. Be sure to talk to them in a calm voice through the cage. This will help them become more familiar with your voice and your smell. You can even sing for them if talking to them feels strange to you.
- Do not scare them by being loud and noisy. Guinea pigs are not used to being around people...they will run away if you do that.
- Do not try to convince the cavi to like you too quickly. They won’t like you until they get to know you, so be patient.
- It would be helpful if you touched your guinea pig often and very gently. Once they are used to that, you can try to pick them up from time to time.
- Offer them food so that they get close enough to you that you can begin to handle them.
- Guinea pigs like to hear quiet noises. They don’t like loud noises, like dogs barking or music. If they hear these, they might run away.
- Some people are scary to them and act like a predator unknowingly. If that is the reason, be sure you keep yourself relaxed when you’re near your little one.
What Do I Do if My Guinea Pig is Lost Outside?
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Guinea pigs are not good at remembering their past location. This makes it hard for them to find their way back home.
Interestingly, they have been known to be sentimental towards certain songs or snacks. You can play music and can throw small pieces of their favorite food where you think they may have traveled. This way, when your piggie finds the food or hears the music, they will find their way back.
Will My Guinea Pig Ever Return Home on its Own?
The chances are slim that your pig will ever be able to return to you because, as said earlier, they have a terrible memory and can’t keep track of how & where they are going.
If a guinea pig leaves the house it is unlikely to return. However, if your piggy does return, you should consider yourself lucky.
How Do I Find My Escaped Guinea Pig?
If your guinea pig is lost, it will be hard for you to find it. But here are a few things that you can try…
- First, if lost in your home make sure there isn’t anything poisonous or anything like a mouse trap that can hurt it.
- Try putting their favorite food in their cage, or play their favorite music.
- Ensure that there aren’t any big holes where they can get hurt. Look for small places like inside the couch or under the bed where the guinea pig could be hiding.
- It would be best to look for them in places where they might feel safe. If you lose your guinea pig look in green areas and pleasant places that they might conceive as safe to hide.
- If someone has found your lost cavy, they might have taken it to a place that takes care of lost guinea pigs. For example, local veterinarians or animal shelters.
Wrapping Things Up
When your pig runs away and feels lost, they easily panic and start to run even faster. This makes it even more difficult to find them. So, the quicker action you take, the faster you’ll find it.
Also, the longer they are outside, the higher their chances of getting found by a predator. So if you notice your cute pet is missing do not delay in locating it.