June 28, 2024, 3:30 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Guinea pigs communicate with each other through body language, facial expressions, and behavior, but also through smell and spoken language. But what exactly do squeaking, squealing, trilling, and chattering of teeth mean? PETBOOK explains.
Guinea pig owners might have heard a piercing whistle, especially when their pet is in their outdoor enclosure and a bird of prey looms overhead. “Watch out! Danger is imminent!”, is what a guinea pig is communicating in these moments. But these whistle signals can also have other meanings. Guinea pigs are very social, small mammals. They like to cuddle in groups and spend the whole day interacting with one another. But might these small rodents be trying to communicate with us humans as well? PETBOOK explains what the different sounds of guinea pigs mean. If you listen carefully, you will soon be able to understand them much better.
Overview
What do guinea pigs have to say?
When they’re awake, they are often heard grumbling, squeaking, and peeping continuously. In comparison to rabbits, guinea pigs are quite chatty. They make sounds of well-being or of fear and pain. However, many sounds cannot be clearly classified and so need to be discerned precisely. This is so we know which sounds correspond with the mood the guinea pig is in. These sounds are quite unique and are presented below:
Rumbling
This sound is mainly heard by males when they are courting a female. They approach the female sideways while rumbling and swaying their hinds. Occasionally, females also rumble for a short time when they are in heat. However, rumbling is also used to placate in social situations or in the case of rank disputes. Both males and females try to de-escalate tense situations in this way.
Cooing and purring
Like buzzing, cooing is intended to bring calm to stressful situations, but it is much quieter. Guinea pigs try to calm each other down with these sounds. However, it can also mean that they are feeling uncomfortable. For example, when a person cuts its claws or scratches it in places it doesn’t want to be touched. This sound has nothing in common with a cooing pigeon or a cat purring contentedly. Guinea pigs may also purr to make themselves feel good.
Chuckle
When a guinea pig is feeling well, it chuckles happily. Some guinea pigs are so happy that they make these sounds with every step. It can also be heard when they are eating treats and cuddling up together.
Hissing
If a guinea pig hisses like a cat, it is feeling very angry and aggressive. If you hear this sound, you should keep your distance.
Squeaking and squealing
Interpreting squeaking and squealing requires a high level of understanding. You have to pay particular attention to the guinea pig’s volume. If they squeak or squeal very loudly, this can indicate pain, panic, or fear. Guinea pigs also become louder and more shrill when they are fighting. In the lead-up to an argument, they will squeak as a warning before the argument escalates.
Guinea pigs also respond to their surroundings with a loud squeak. For example, when you come into the room and rustle the food bag. This squeaking has nothing to do with hunger like it does with factory-farmed pigs, who are almost constantly hungry. Pigs in the wild, on the other hand, are constantly busy looking for food all day.
Whimpering
A whining or whimpering noise usually means, “I don’t like this”. It can be directed at other guinea pigs or at you as the owner if they are unhappy with something.
Also interesting: Why you shouldn’t buy a hamster for your child
Chirping
Chirping can be thought of as the sonorous chirping of a canary. You may come across a guinea pig sitting motionless in its enclosure, chirping and gazing into the distance. This typically occurs in the evening or at night. Guinea pigs use chirping as a way to alleviate stress, for example, when in the presence of a loud television or radio. However, it can also be caused by rank fights or a death in the group.
Teeth grinding
The teeth of guinea pigs grow for their entire lives. Because of this, they try to keep them short by constantly chewing. However, grinding of the teeth may also indicate that the guinea pig is in pain or feeling insecure.
Chattering of teeth
Chattering of teeth does not mean that the guinea pig is freezing, but rather that there is an imminent threat. They sense danger, so they are warning others to get to safety now. Even when the guinea pig chatters its teeth at its owner, it is signaling, ‘Leave me alone; this is my boundary!’ As the owner, you should respect this, even if it is not really dangerous to you.
By the way, if a guinea pig snores on your lap, it means that they feel comfortable. If it wheezes or its breathing sounds raspy, you should seek veterinary help.
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