Guinea pigs don’t go missing as often as outdoor rabbits, and they don’t tend to escape and run around the house as often as hamsters. That said, they are intelligent and generally curious little animals, so there is a chance that yours might escape. Depending on the location of the enclosure and whether any doors are open, it is also possible for an indoor guinea pig to get outside the house.
Here are 12 tips to help you quickly locate a lost guinea pig.
The 12 Tips to Help You Find a Lost Guinea Pig Fast
In the Home
If your guinea pig lives indoors, it is most likely still somewhere in the house. The size of these animals means that they should be easier to find than hamsters and gerbils, but a scared guinea pig can still be good at hiding.
1. Close Doors and Windows
Ensure that the front, rear, and side external doors are closed so you can confine the search to the interior of the house. You should also close the bottoms of opening windows in case your intrepid pet finds a way onto windowsills.
2. Check Every Room
Once you have secured the main doors, it is time to start searching. Guinea pigs can manage to climb up certain types of stairs and can certainly hop down them. You may have to expand your search to the other floors of the house. Take it one room at a time, and when you’re sure that you’ve thoroughly checked every corner and under every surface of a room, exit the room and close the door behind you.
3. Secure Pets in One Room
You will need to remove cats and dogs from the search because a darting guinea pig is a temptation too far for most larger pets. Ideally, keep hold of them until you’ve searched the first room, or let them out in a secure garden or another area. Once you’ve searched the first pet-safe room, put your other pets in there, and close the door. It will make the hunt easier.
4. Use Food
Take your guinea pig’s favorite treat, and put it in an easily accessible area of a room that you believe the guinea pig is in. You will have to keep an eye out so you spot your guinea pig when they emerge for a snack. Paying attention will allow you to put them back in the safety of their enclosure.
5. Search Close to Dawn and Dusk
Guinea pigs are crepuscular animals, which means that they are most active during dusk and dawn. This means your search will be more fruitful if conducted at these times. Your pet will be more likely to snuffle out the treats you’ve left for them. Also, if they are familiar with the room they hid inside, they will feel more comfortable exploring. Guinea pigs that have found themselves in a new and unfamiliar environment may feel too scared to move much.
6. Use a Towel
Catching a charging guinea pig isn’t always easy, especially if they are scared and panicking. You may find that simply lunging and grabbing makes matters worse and sends your pet into even more of a panic, not to mention, they could get seriously injured. It’s crucial to remain calm and composed and avoid making any sudden moves or noise. Get a clean towel, and when you see your little furry escapee, gently place it over your pet before quickly gathering up the towel and the guinea pig securely.
Outside the Home
Whether you keep your guinea pig indoors or they have open-door access to the outside world, there is a chance that your cavy has made its way outside. If this is true, the hunt will be more difficult, but you shouldn’t give up hope straight away. The key to outdoor searching is enlisting the help of others.
7. Speak to Neighbors
Visit your neighbors, and tell them your guinea pig has gone missing. If you have a picture, take that with you so they know what to look for. Otherwise, give as accurate a description as possible. Ask them to have a quick look in gardens and outbuildings and to keep an eye out over the next few days. Local children can prove helpful because they are inquisitive and like to play outdoors.
8. Contact Vets, Shelters, and Rescues
If somebody has found a lost pet, they will usually contact a vet or a local rescue. Even if that organization doesn’t take the lost animal in, they will usually keep the details of the animal itself and the contact information of the people who found it, which could be all you need to be reunited with your pet.
9. Search The Garden Thoroughly
Maybe your guinea pig is familiar with your garden, if they have a secure outdoor play area. Even if they’ve never been outside of the house, it’s important to do a thorough search of the garden area, ideally with a helper. Make sure you stay calm and quiet, as after all, guinea pigs are prey species and are easily startled. Leave some of their favorite treats and place an outdoor pet camera, if one is available. This way, you can monitor the garden without being outside, which could scare the guinea pig.
10. Post on Social Media
Most towns and neighborhoods have their own social media pages. Join the groups, and post details of your lost guinea pig. You will usually find that such posts get shared between neighbors, enabling you to enlist the help of many people in your area without having to visit them all.
11. Canvas the Neighborhood
Print lost leaflets and deliver them through doors. The recipients will be able to clearly remember what your pet looks like if they have a picture, and they will be better able to remember whom to contact if they do see a guinea pig in the streets.
12. Put Up Flyers
Another good use of your best cavy photo is to create flyers or posters. Put them on lampposts around the neighborhood, and ask if you can put them in local shop windows.
Conclusion
Guinea pigs do not go missing as often as many other pets, such as dogs, cats, or even rabbits. Hopefully, if yours has gone missing, they will be in one of the rooms of your house, and you will be able to find them quite quickly. You can use your guinea pig’s appetite to your advantage by putting out their favorite food as bait; then, use a towel to help you get your cavy before they bolt again.
If you do need to expand your search outside the home and garden, enlist the help of neighbors and even your local vets and animal shelters, as they will let you know if there have been any local sightings reported to them.
- You might also like: Can Guinea Pigs Find Their Way Home?
Featured Image Credit: Jumpstory
Contents
- The 12 Tips to Help You Find a Lost Guinea Pig Fast
- In the Home
- 1. Close Doors and Windows
- 2. Check Every Room
- 3. Secure Pets in One Room
- 4. Use Food
- 5. Search Close to Dawn and Dusk
- 6. Use a Towel
- Outside the Home
- 7. Speak to Neighbors
- 8. Contact Vets, Shelters, and Rescues
- 9. Search The Garden Thoroughly
- 10. Post on Social Media
- 11. Canvas the Neighborhood
- 12. Put Up Flyers
- Conclusion
