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When you imagine a group of guinea pigs, they are probably running, squeaking, playing, chewing, or all of the above. But have you ever imagined these little creatures sleeping?
The following article answers the question: Do guinea pigs sleep? Also, find out when and where these animals sleep, as well as other fun facts about this cute pet.
Do guinea pigs sleep?
Yes. Guinea pigs need to get a certain amount of sleep in order to maintain good health. Some guinea pigs sleep a total of nine and a half hours each 24-hour cycle.
Guinea pigs are very active animals. They are vocal and seem to always have something to chew on. Fun fact: the guinea pig chews 200 times a minute!
The active nature of guinea pigs requires them to replenish their energy reserves during the day and night. Sleep gives them the rest they need to continue their busy lives.
A new guinea pig owner can expect his pet to disappear in a huge pile of shavings for a few hours’ nap. After all, this is exactly what hamsters, gerbils, and other rodents do. But it turns out that guinea pigs sleep in a very different way.
What is a typical guinea pig sleep schedule?
Guinea pigs do not have a set sleep schedule. They sleep for short periods of time, day and night. A single nap can last from ten to 30 minutes.
There is a reason why guinea pigs do not sleep very long. In the wild, they are found at the end of the food chain. In other words, they have a lot of predators to worry about! Guinea pigs sleep for short periods of time, so they can be constantly aware of their surroundings. Imagine if these little mammals slept a full eight hours during the day. They will be incredibly vulnerable to hawks, snakes and other predators. Because of their position in the food chain, guinea pigs need to do everything they can to protect themselves from predators.
When are guinea pigs most active?
Although they sleep day and night, guinea pigs are more active in the early morning and dusk. This behavior can be traced back to the habits of wild guinea pigs. Wild guinea pigs search for food or explore their territory in the early afternoon and dusk due to lack of light. This low light level helps hide them from predators.
Of course, a domestic guinea pig living in a cage in a family home should not risk its life in search of food. But domestic guinea pigs still share these natural instincts with their wild relatives.
Where do guinea pigs sleep?
Wild guinea pigs live underground in burrows, but the burrows themselves usually do not dig. They invade burrows left by other rodent species. Burrows serve as protection from harsh weather conditions as well as from predators. They can hide in them during a short nap.
In addition, most domestic guinea pigs do not have an accessible cage burrow. But they still love to take a nap under the shelter’s protection. Owners have a variety of creative options when they provide a guinea pig with a place to sleep.
Some people give their pets an old cardboard shoebox, tissue box, or other small boxes to sleep in. This is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly option. Of course, guinea pigs love to chew on cardboard, so the box should be replaced when it starts to fall apart.
Other options include a small wooden house, a tunnel, or a hut made from non-toxic materials. These are available at most pet stores and pet stores. This type of shelter requires little investment, but is definitely more durable than a cardboard box. Try different types of shelters to find out what your guinea pig likes best.
Do guinea pigs sleep with their eyes open?
Yes, guinea pigs sleep with their eyes open. However, they never fall into deep sleep. In fact, only one part of their brain is at rest, while another part continues to observe predators in their habitat.
The owner, who looks into the cage and discovers that their pet is standing motionless with open eyes, looks at the sleeping guinea pig. Try not to make noise or disturb him. These small pets can scare very easily when they are asleep.
Again, this dream is caused by natural instinct. If a wild guinea pig closed its eyes to take a nap, it would put itself at great risk of being eaten by a predator.
In some cases, when the guinea pig has been with its owner for many years, it will close its eyes to sleep. He may even lie in his hiding place. This means that the pet guinea pig feels relaxed and safe enough to take a nap without being concerned about the environment. Owners may accept this behavior as proof that they are providing a safe and pleasant home for their guinea pig.
How can owners help their guinea pigs sleep better?
Adequate sleep is essential for good health of your guinea pig. Sleep gives them the ability to digest food and absorb the nutrients they consume every day. There are several ways to help this pet get enough sleep during the day.
While everyone in the family wants to enjoy watching this pet, it is best to keep it in a quiet room. A guinea pig that lives in a noisy area with dogs barking, plates clattering and people talking is likely to waste time sleeping. Find a place for your pet’s cage that allows him to hear what’s going on in the house without being in the middle of the process.
If you need to keep the cage in a house with heavy traffic, try covering it halfway with a blanket for a couple of hours. This can block some of the noise, giving the guinea pig a better sleeping environment.
Putting a piece of soft material in the guinea pig’s cage is another way to help it get enough sleep. A small fleece or cotton fabric will add coziness to this pet’s habitat. The guinea pig can snuggle against it or push the fabric into the shelter.
Anyone who is thinking about choosing only one guinea pig as a pet might consider getting a couple of them. A pair of guinea pigs can keep each other company as well as comfort each other. Most likely, they will sleep next to each other too. Both guinea pigs will feel safer taking a nap with another furry friend nearby.
What if your guinea pig’s nighttime activities keep you awake?
Now you know that guinea pigs can be active both day and night. So, as a guinea pig owner, you may encounter a guinea pig that is especially active at night.
Whether running on an exercise wheel, squeaking with friends, pushing toys, or rearranging shavings, guinea pigs can keep their owners awake at night. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep an active guinea pig from interfering with your sleep at night.
Remove all noisy toys from the cage before bed. This could be a squeaky exercise wheel or a bell toy. Replace them with soft toys that make very little noise and give your pets the pleasure they are looking for. In the morning, you can put the noisier objects back into the cage.
Secure any objects that make noise when moving or manipulating the guinea pig. For example, a hanging water bottle in a glass aquarium can make a lot of no
is
e when a guinea pig pushes it. He may try to drink water or just chew on the bottle. Several small pieces of tape attached to the back of the bottle can prevent it from hitting the glass cage wall. Make sure the guinea pig cannot access the tape. Another solution is to pour water into a dispenser on the floor of the cage.
If you have a couple of guinea pigs who like to chat with each other at night, try covering their cage with a light blanket. This can drown out their voices so you can rest. If you can still hear them talking, move the cage to another room overnight, where they will not interfere with you.
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