Why does my guinea pig keep chewing the cage bars?

Short answer: bar chewing usually signals boredom, too little space or attention-seeking — more room, more hay and more interaction typically reduce it.

1. Check the space — two guinea pigs need at least about 0.7 m² (roughly 120 × 60 cm) of floor area.

2. Hay at all times — unmet chewing needs get redirected to bars; keep the rack full of fresh timothy.

3. Daily floor time — at least an hour in a safe pen to burn energy.

4. Enrichment — hideouts, tunnels and wooden or woven-grass chew toys, rearranged regularly.

5. Waiting for food — chewing only when you approach usually means begging; consistent feeding times help.

6. Watch the teeth — prolonged chewing on metal can affect the incisors; see an exotic-pet vet if you notice misalignment or difficulty eating.