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Sometimes guinea pigs show unusual behavior, which may leave us wondering. One of the common questions about guinea pigs is, “Why do guinea pigs make noise?”
Guinea pigs make certain kinds of noise, which depend on the way they feel. As they cannot talk like humans, different noises are a way of communicating.
But, how do you understand what your guinea pig wants to express with a certain kind of noise?
Reasons For Guinea Pig Noises
Here are all the reasons for the noises of guinea pigs.
1. Happiness
Guinea pigs make different kinds of noises when happy. Some of them are:
Bubbling
Bubbling is a low sound made by guinea pigs, and most commonly, you won’t hear it.
When our guinea pigs are happy, they will produce a bubbling sound. According to experts, this sound is associated with the relaxed and comfortable feeling when we start “pancaking” our guinea pigs.
They may lie flat on our laps with their eyes closed and feel calm and safe.
Guinea pigs living in cages also make the bubbling sound when they see each other. They feel relaxed and happy about meeting their mates.
Purring
The purring of guinea pigs is the same as cats. But, purring in a guinea pig can indicate several kinds of emotions, depending on the situation.
In general, a guinea pig purrs when it is happy. When we pet our guinea pigs, they feel calm and content, which causes them to purr. Contented guinea pigs and those used for courting also make the purring sounds to express happiness.
Chutting
The chutting noise of a guinea pig is a positive one. The guinea pigs make this noise when they feel safe and happy in their surroundings.
According to pet owners, this noise is common in guinea pigs. Although the guinea pigs make this noise in their home, some also make the chutting noise when they are outside exploring the world. They like having fun and feel contented.
Some people also refer to it as the “clicking” sound.
2. Anxiety
Growling
Anxiety and distress are the most common causes of the growling noise by a guinea pig.
If you change the environment of your guinea pigs, they might not like it. They will get scared and feel unsafe. It will cause them to make a growling noise.
If you see your guinea pig growling, a few pats by your gentle hands will make it calm and relaxed.
Chattering
Chattering occurs when the guinea pig will clatter its teeth.
This sound is associated with anxiety and disturbance. When the guinea pig is angry or not feeling good about something, you will likely hear a chattering sound.
3. Anger
Screaming
Guinea pigs will scream when they get into a fight inside the cage. If you hear the scream of your guinea pigs, make sure to stop the fight immediately.
Purring
Some guinea pigs might purr when angry. This kind of purr is a high-pitched sound, with some vibration of the guinea pig as well. The purring sound may also increase at the end, making it a sign that your pet is angry.
4. Relief
Tweeting
The tweeting sound is typical in younger guinea pigs. They make this sound after nursing and when they feel relieved.
The tweeting sound is only common in younger guinea pigs, and you won’t hear it as your piggy grows into an adult.
Purring
Contented guinea pigs often make the purring sound. It means that they feel relieved and are relaxed.
5. Fear
Rumbling
In some cases, the rumbling of a guinea pig indicates fear. As guinea pigs are prey species, they get frightened on seeing a stranger and try to hide. This kind of rumbling will be accompanied by wide-open eyes and a freeze.
The guinea pigs will also make a rumbling noise when they are unaware of their surroundings and feel insecure.
Shrieking
The shrieking sound of the guinea pig is perhaps the loudest noise it makes out of pain or fear. Some people might also confuse it with wheeking or squealing.
If you hear this sound from your guinea pig, your piggy needs special care!
Chirping
The chirping of a guinea pig is the same sound as birds.
It is a mysterious and unusual sound in guinea pigs, and when you hear it, it means something is not right. Many people are still confused about this sound and its meaning.
According to experts, guinea pigs chirp when afraid or upset. This sound indicates that the guinea pig is deeply concerned about something. Many guinea pigs chirp at night.
Purring
In some cases, your guinea pig will purr when frightened. This sort of purring is short, of a few seconds, and you will see your guinea pig completely motionless.
6. Dominance
Chattering
Most commonly, guinea pigs make a chattering sound when you introduce them to each other, especially inside a cage.
The chattering sound will mean that they are alert and ready to attack each other and show their dominance. If you hear this sound, make sure to separate them immediately, or it may result in a fight.
Rumbling
In general, the rumbling sound of a guinea pig indicates dominance. When living in a cage with other fellows, one of the guinea pigs will have bossy behavior and think of itself as superior.
Such a guinea pig will also keep its fur puffed up to look large and dominant. Although it isn’t a sign of anger or aggression, the situation might not be good if another guinea pig also wants to show dominance.
Screaming
Some guinea pigs also get into a fight, especially when more than one of them has bossy behavior. They will fight and scream to show their superiority and power.
7. Pain Or Sickness
Whining
A low-pitched version of the whining sound indicates that your guinea pig is sick. If you want to know the exact reason, you need to closely see its behavior and see what the guinea pig is doing when it makes the whining sound.
Chattering
Guinea pigs make the chattering sound when sick or upset. This sound is usually very low and indicates pain. However, this sound is also associated with other emotions.
So, you need to figure out the exact reason and then consult the vet regarding the sickness of your guinea pig.
Squealing
The squeal of a guinea pig indicates pain.
However, like some other sounds, the squeal isn’t always because the guinea pig isn’t feeling well.
Shrieking
Many guinea pigs also make the shrieking sound when they feel ill. This sound is usually very high but may have other meanings too.
So, you need to pay close attention. If the guinea pig is sick, you’ll have to visit a vet.
8. Attention
Chirping
In some cases, a guinea pig might chirp when it needs your attention. When it feels neglected or wants your attention, a few chirrups seem like the best option.
Squealing
Your guinea pig might make the squealing sound because it wants your attention!
If another guinea pig eats its favorite food, your piggy will squeal to get your attention and get its food back.
9. Urge To Mate
Rumbling
A guinea pig will make the rumbling sound when it wants to mate. This mating call is also called a “rumble strut”.
10. Irritation
Chattering
The guinea pig may feel uncomfortable in some situations. One of them includes when the guinea pig is hungry, and you keep petting it instead of feeding some food. In this case, it will make the chattering sound and show discomfort.
Whining
You may hear your guinea pig making the whining sound with variations, all of them having a different meaning according to the situation.
We often associate it with other negative sounds as it feels like a high-pitched moan. The whining of a guinea pig occurs when it doesn’t like what’s happening.
If a fellow guinea pig wakes up another from a nap, the guinea pig will get irritated and start making the whining noise.
In some cases, the guinea pig will make this sound when you try to hold it. It means that your pet doesn’t want to be petted or come into your hands.
11. Craving Something
Wheeking
We can relate the wheeking sound with the begging of the guinea pig. But, it has a positive meaning.
When guinea pigs want food or crave something, they will make the wheeking sound to inform their owners.
According to pet owners, wheeking is the most common sound produced by guinea pigs. Whenever they hear the food bag opening, they will make this sound out of excitement.
The amount of sound the guinea pig makes is different for the specific animals. Some pet owners say that their guinea pigs constantly make the wheeking sound, while some claim their pets make this sound once or twice a day when it’s time for food.
Final Thoughts
Guinea pigs make different noises, and the same sound may indicate different behaviors and situations.
If you are worried about the unusual noises of your guinea pig, don’t worry! Our complete information about the guinea pig noises will help you understand the situation and take measures.
After all, the health and well-being of our pets are always our priority!
A passionate content creator on pet behavior, nutrition choices, and health, Mike is an experienced pet expert. He has been writing on multiple websites to compensate for his passion for cats. Mike grieves around plenty of pets in his parents’ house. At the start of his career, he had a sturdy intention to be a part of pet care by any means.
With his affiliation to Purrfect n’ Pawesome, he found a way to satiate his craving to participate in pet health, wellness, and behavior analysis. He has been a significant part of our team and a major contributor in equipping our site with useful, authentic, and research-backed articles.
“I love pets as much as I love to travel to explore multiple places and lifestyles. I have been attached to this pawsome platform for many years, and my experience regarding pets has enhanced significantly by using various devices to write articles. I believe in writing my thoughts and experiences, so I try to write down the experience and learnings for my readers no matter where I am and what my mood is.”
