Guinea pigs make great family pets. They are relatively easy to care for and they have lots of personality. They also make lots of interesting sounds. But do you know what they all mean? We have compiled a list of common guinea pig noises to help you understand what your cute little friend is trying to tell you.
Wheeking
This is a happy sound that your guinea pig makes when they are excited and know something good is on its way, such as dinner, a treat or affection from its owner.
Purring
A low vibrating purr is another happy sound that guinea pigs make. Normally it’s when they are being petted or cuddled and it’s a sign your pet is content, and life couldn’t be better.
Muttering
Guinea pigs mutter to themselves, just like we humans do! It’s a common noise guinea pigs make to themselves and each other. It indicates contentment in their home or surroundings and is commonly heard when they are out of their habitat exploring.
Chirping
Sounds like a bird and possibly the least understood sound as it’s uncommon. Some people say they hear this sound when their guinea pig is particularly happy, others claim it’s when they lose something special. It can also be a way of attracting attention when there is more than one guinea pig in the cage. If you hear your piggy chirping, take a look at their body language to try and work out what they are saying.
Rumbling
A rumbling guinea pig is ready to romance his companion. Normally the male makes the noise, often accompanied by a swagger or strut. Some females also make rumbling noises when in season.
Whining
When your guinea pigs starts to whine, you know they are annoyed. But not with you, rather with another guinea pig near them or something else. They typically don’t want to be bothered when they make this noise.
Chattering
Clacking your teeth together is called chattering. When you hear your cavy chattering, they are warning you they have had enough and are ready to attack. If this happens when you are petting or handling them, they are asking you to stop and give them space.
Hissing
They have passed the point of being annoyed and now getting angry or aggressive. They may also bare their teeth or fluff up their fur to make themselves look more threatening to other guinea pigs. If you notice your guinea pig getting all worked up, you need to separate your cavies immediately.
Squealing
This is your guinea pig’s way of saying “I need help”. Their cage buddy may have invaded their space, or they could be hurt. Its best to check on them quickly before it turns into a shriek.
Shrieking
Hopefully you never hear your cavy shrieking. It happens in rare circumstances and usually means they are hurt or scared. Don’t ignore this noise, especially if you have more than one cavy in the cage. They have most likely had a fight or need to be separated.
Guinea pigs are great conversationalists. They often tell us how they feel and they don’t hold back. Each guinea pig is unique and has their own style of communicating, so it’s up to us to really get to know our pets so we can learn how to take good care of them.