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02/06/2019 Guinea pigs are sensitive to changes in voice intonation.
They are able to recognize when the owner is angry or when he wants to play with him. Pets have excellent hearing and are able to express emotions and desires using a range of sounds. You don't need to be a wizard to understand what guinea pigs are talking about. It is enough to listen carefully to your pet.
Hums
Rumbling sounds can have a variety of meanings, depending on the position you are currently occupying. If the pig is currently feeling content and happy, then it will emit a guttural rumbling against the background of absolute relaxation and ease. However, if the rumbling sounds have a higher pitch, then the animal is most likely irritated by something. Tension in movements will also indicate this. If you take a closer look at the pet, you can see that it trembles while purring. But abrupt rumbling sounds clearly indicate that your pig is scared or feels uncomfortable.
Chirps/Tweets
A guinea pig chirping is a rare occurrence. Not all rodents make such sounds. It really is very reminiscent of birds chirping.
Chirping pets exhibit strange behavior, similar to a state of trance. Typically, a guinea pig sings for no more than 20 minutes, after which it returns to its business.
Decoding behavior
Scientists who observed animals came to the conclusion that the guinea pig chirps:
- in a state of strong excitement;
- under stress;
- after a quarrel with relatives or being socially overloaded.
Squeals or whines
A squeal is a high-pitched squeak that unmistakably signals that your pet is feeling unwell and is overcome by fear and pain. If you hear this sound, be sure to check on your pets to make sure they are okay and no one was hurt. By whining or moaning, guinea pigs want to tell their owners about their irritation or dislike for something or someone, for example, their brothers.
Squeaks
Why does a guinea pig squeak? There are several reasons why she does this.
In their natural environment, frightened pigs squeak. A newborn animal tells its mother about its concern by squeaking. Males use this method of communication during courtship. The animal also squeaks when it is in pain.
Tamed animals use this sound to evoke pity from the owner and to attract attention. It could be a protest. For example, if an animal sat calmly on the owner’s lap and enjoyed stroking, and then it was abruptly put in a cage and deprived of pleasant communication.
Begging may also be accompanied by squeaking. Breeders who have a cage with a pet in their kitchen eventually notice that every time they open the refrigerator, the guinea pig screams.
Om-Nom-nom! Yummy!
A squeak when the owner appears can express joy from a long-awaited meeting and anticipation of a traditional tasty treat.
A hungry pet squeaks to inform the breeder of its desire for food.
It is important to learn to understand your ward and not attribute all his calls to whims. The animal may really need help, even medical help.
Language of the body
Guinea pigs can also communicate through body language. If you understand this language, you will receive the keys to understanding what is happening to your pet.
When juveniles are particularly happy, excited, or in a playful mood, they like to jump up and down. Although this behavior is also typical for older representatives of the species. However, they don't jump that high.
Numbness often occurs at a moment of great surprise or doubt about something. Then she will stand still.
Sniffing is a way for guinea pigs to assess what is happening around them. In addition, this is how they recognize each other by sniffing the area around the nose, chin, ears or backside. And if they want to greet their brother in a friendly way, then they touch each other’s noses.
Showing aggression, a guinea pig tries to rise above its opponent, raising its head and standing on stiff legs. In addition, they sway menacingly from side to side, their fur stands up, and their mouth distorts into a grin. To enhance the effect, rodents can also hiss and grind their teeth. If you notice this behavior in your pets, be on the lookout. You may have to intervene in their relationship to prevent a fight.
If an animal swaggers, sways from side to side on stiff legs, and even grinds its teeth, this may be a sign of aggression. Although during the mating season, pompous behavior towards an individual of the opposite sex is an element of courtship.
Guinea pigs love to mark their territory. To do this, they rub their chin, neck or backside against the objects they want to get.
The desire to rise up manifests itself either during sexual relations between males and females, or at the moment of the formation of a hierarchy within the social structure of guinea pigs when kept in groups.
If your guinea pig is handled, it may show signs of anxiety and agitation. This may indicate that she wants to go to the toilet or that she is simply tired of playing with you. Be that as it may, you should return your pet, at least for a while, back to the cage.
Throwing back the head can be observed in spoiled guinea pigs at the moment of irritation. This way they can ask their owner to stop.
If a rodent begins to lick its owner, many consider this a sign of love. Maybe that's true, or maybe they just like the taste of salt on your skin.
They also love to be picked up by their owner out of their cage. Although at first the pigs show timidity, this is not at all because they do not want to play with the owner, but because a natural defense mechanism is manifested in them. It won't be long before she wants to cuddle up to you.
Article on the topic: A complete guide to the care and maintenance of a guinea pig
Grinding/chattering of teeth
Why does a guinea pig chatter its teeth? Most often this is a bad sign. A pet can express its dissatisfaction and even anger in this way. If an animal makes hissing sounds by clicking its teeth or shows its teeth, then you can be sure that the animal is aggressive.
Grinding or chattering of teeth can be a warning sign of a fight. If pigs are kept together, they can arrange a division of territory or a showdown. It is better to accustom the animal to the neighborhood gradually. First, give the animals the opportunity to only hear each other. After a couple of weeks, the pigs can be placed in the same room. After some time, the rodents will be ready to live together.
When a pet has no conflicts with its relatives, and there are no obvious reasons for its anger, then it is worth checking the state of its health.
Rodents often chatter their teeth when they have an upset stomach.
A conflict is brewing - maybe growl at him?
Grinding can occur due to overgrowth of teeth, insufficient grinding of them on solid food and toys. A dental defect can cause infection or deterioration. Therefore, you should visit a veterinarian without delay.
What sounds does a guinea pig make?
A guinea pig can:
- grunt;
- squeak;
- hiss;
- wheeze;
- moan;
- coo;
- rumble;
- whistle;
- cluck;
- Twitter;
- growl;
- grumble;
- squeal.
Of course, all these terms are very conventional, but they are the ones that loving owners of funny rodents use to describe the strange and very diverse language of their pets. In order to understand what exactly the animal wants to tell the world with this or that sound, enthusiasts have compiled something like a dictionary or translator, which they are happy to share with everyone.
Sound of communication
The guinea pig is a pack animal. To communicate with its own kind, the rodent makes sounds that vaguely resemble concentrated grunting (hence the associative name of the species). If only one individual is kept as a pet in the house, then the animal communicates with members of the household in the same manner. Thus, grunting is a standard manifestation of communication .
Video: what sounds do guinea pigs make?
Sometimes, upon returning home after a long absence, the owner of a guinea pig hears a loud, piercing squeal coming from the room where the cage is located. Don't be afraid that something bad has happened to your animal. Most likely, the animal, sociable by nature, is simply yearning for solitude and in such a temperamental way expresses its joy at your appearance, an impatient demand to quickly communicate and play, and at the same time indignation due to your absence.
Did you know? Interestingly, the genus of domesticated rodents in question is called pigs in all European languages. So, the British call these animals guinea pig (Guinea pig), the Germans - meerschweinchen (literally translated in the same way as the Russian version), the French - cochon d'Inde (Indian pig).
Surprise or interest
“Whistled in surprise” - this phrase perfectly conveys the characteristic reaction of a person faced with something unusual. Oddly enough, guinea pigs are very similar to humans in this regard. If an animal whistles, it can mean an extreme degree of interest and even intrigue . However, whistling or snoring is also a sign of satisfaction, satiety and a complacent mood, or, on the contrary, maximum concentration on some important activity.
It all depends on the small nuances of the sound, the specific situation, as well as the animal’s behavior at the moment of the “conversation.” But, one way or another, whistling, sniffling and grunting are the sounds that can be heard: an animal makes them at those moments when, on the whole, it is satisfied with its fate and its owners.
Sounds of mating
For almost all representatives of the animal world, sexual games are one of the most important and responsible rituals. Usually they are accompanied by a “protocol” of behavior formalized to the smallest detail, strictly observed by both the male and the female. In mating games, everything matters - every movement, every sound. And precisely by how characteristic the vocal accompaniment is of the procedure of a male guinea pig flirting with his partner, we can conclude that in these animals, like in humans, women “love with their ears.”
Important! In order to understand your pet, you need to focus not only on sounds, but also on other signals that it sends through its actions.
Having watched their pets mating at least once, guinea pig owners claim that the sound heard most closely resembles the sound of drums . The male, wanting to please his partner, begins to emit a completely unique and almost continuous rattling sound, as if beating out a shot using his vocal cords.
The female, having accepted the courtship favorably, responds to her chosen one with the same “drumbeat”. As the love game progresses to its logical conclusion, communication between the couple may also be accompanied by rumbling and even growling. There is no need to worry about this: all this is also part of the ritual.
Fear and aggression
Aggression is generally not typical for guinea pigs, but often the owners of these cute animals receive quite painful wounds from their sharp and strong teeth. You should not get angry at the animal in such situations. Most likely, it tried to send a warning signal, but it was not deciphered in time.
Important! Guinea pigs bite only for defensive purposes. An animal can defend itself, its offspring, or its territory, which, as it seems to it, someone has encroached on.
That is why it is very useful for the owner of a rodent to know what sounds the animal makes at a moment of fear: fright may be followed by an attack, and after that a deep wound, pain and resentment. Growling, whining or plaintive moans are all sounds with a minus sign . If they are emitted by your pet, you should think about what caused them and immediately correct the error.
This group of signals also includes hissing, a wary rumbling (not to be confused with a satisfied one), as well as a warning clinking of teeth. These are the sounds that males usually make when trying on before an important and responsible battle for a female or territory. In the same way, a domesticated animal tries to scare or, say, warn the owner: “Don’t touch me now, I’m not in a good mood!”
Sharp whistle
In this way, the guinea pig usually communicates that it is time for lunch. A sharp and demanding whistle is produced by a very hungry animal . Having received a portion of the long-awaited food, the animal can continue to whistle for some time, but more calmly and concentratedly - so the same sound, changing timbre and volume, moves from the “minus” category to the “plus” category. In human language, this change from screaming to grumbling can be translated with a phrase like “I wish it had been like this a long time ago!”
Did you know? There are real record holders among guinea pigs. Thus, the highest long jump was made by an animal named Diesel.
—
her result was 20.5 cm, and in the 10 m race the best result was achieved by a certain Flash, running to the finish line in 8.81 seconds.
Sings and chirps like a bird
Some guinea pig owners claim that they have heard sounds from their pets that are extremely similar to birds chirping or singing. It must be said that, unlike whistling, grunting, snorting and rumbling, not all individuals arrange this kind of “concert” for their owners . Moreover, there is a suspicion that household members who adore the animal slightly exaggerate its vocal abilities.
On the other hand, many of us also love to sing in the bathroom when no one hears, but only a few have a voice that can bewitch. Perhaps among guinea pigs there are the same talents worthy of universal recognition, but forced to limit themselves to only a small audience. In any case, if an animal sings like a bird, then everything is fine with it.
Find out if guinea pigs smell.
What does it mean when a pig squeaks?
It is not difficult to understand the meaning of the sounds that the animal makes. When a pet squeaks, there are reasons for this:
- By squeaking, males attract the attention of females during courtship. So this could represent the mating sounds of guinea pigs.
- Newborn babies squeak furiously when they want to eat or something is bothering them.
- When an animal experiences physical pain, it squeaks.
- Pigs are very sociable, they get upset if you don't pay attention to them. He will squeak pitifully to make his owner feel sorry for him.
- Expression of fear, fear. Perhaps a dog or cat came into the animal’s field of vision, with which it had not yet become friends.
- The squeak of a guinea pig can also mean a request to get something. If an animal sees that its owners are eating, it will squeak and beg for food from the table.
- By squeaking, the pet expresses indignation at the situation. For example, if his favorite toy was taken away or there is no water in the drinking bowl.
- A joyful squeak also happens: when a pet meets its owner or is picked up.
- A barely audible, plaintive voice may mean that the rodent wants to eat.
Thus, the squeak expresses a wide range of feelings depending on the circumstances. It is imperative to respond to the voice of a guinea pig. It is important for an animal to be understood.
Anxiety, fear and aggression
A short, high-pitched “brrr” will indicate that your pet is irritated or frightened. This is how the animal will react to loud voices and sounds that appear unexpectedly. If your pet whines or moans, then he is irritated . Also, the rodent is not happy with its fellow who is nearby. You will know about fear or an incipient fight when you hear teeth clicking and tapping. The pig is hostile and ready to attack. This situation occurs when two males are nearby.
Teeth chattering also symbolizes anger and dissatisfaction. It is worth eliminating the object or subject of aggression so that the rodent does not become nervous. Hissing has a similar interpretation.
When to worry
Unfortunately, a pet's restless behavior is not always caused by positive reasons. There is a certain number of negative factors due to which a rodent behaves as if it were popcorning, these could be:
- blood-sucking insects;
- worms;
- dental problems.
Parasites
If an animal gets parasites, it begins to itch and chew its fur. This occurs because harmful organisms cause severe itching in different parts of the pig's body.
They can be divided into two main types:
- worms;
- skin insects.
If you identify one of these problems, you should definitely contact your veterinarian and take immediate action to combat them.
Expressing interest or pleasure
Guinea pigs are distinguished by their emotionality and its manifestations. Have you noticed that the animal is quietly squealing or whistling gently? Rest assured: the pet is satisfied with its life .
Rumbling, accompanied by vibration, signals the rodent's calmness and satiety; it often occurs when petting the animal. This means he is happy.
Snorting also reflects a similar emotion. This sound can also indicate interest. A guinea pig making these sounds will be intently watching something or working hard on something.
Listen to an example of such sounds to better understand your pet.
Why does my pet whistle?
Often, when returning home, owners notice that their pet has risen on its hind legs and is whistling loudly. This is how the animal shows that it missed its owner and is glad to see him. Rodents also whistle when it's time for a snack. A hungry pig whistles when it sees a treat in its owner's hand or when it notices that the feeder is already empty. Owners who are annoyed by the constant whistling of a rodent are advised to put more food in the feeder so that the pet remains full longer and does not require supplements.
Sniffles/wheezes/whistles
A satisfied pet often sniffles, and a well-fed pet whistles. While waiting for a treat, the animal may begin to sniffle and gradually switch to whistling. This situation can occur when opening the refrigerator.
If the owner does not get a treat, the pet can also whistle to attract attention to his person and get something tasty.
A prolonged whistle or a whistle repeated after a few seconds by animals can serve as a greeting or signal that they are hungry.
If your guinea pig wheezes when he breathes, he needs to be seen by a veterinarian.
Listen to examples
Next, you can listen to a few more sounds made by guinea pigs. This will make it easier in the future to recognize what the animal is trying to tell us.
During pregnancy.
A strange sound, the meaning of which is that the animal is scared or sad when alone.
The animal is outraged.
Such a sociable pet is a real find. Learn to recognize the sounds it makes, and understanding your pet will become extremely easy. This will make it easier to care for the animal, and it will live a long, rich and fulfilling life.
When communicating
If an animal grunts when surrounded by its own kind, then in this way it greets its relatives and shows a friendly attitude. Purring or rumbling is a sign of sympathy that an animal experiences when being near its owner or another pet. The guinea pig is an extremely friendly and sociable animal. Therefore, she manages to experience loneliness extremely poorly.
Don't be alarmed if you hear a loud squeal when you get home.
This is how the pet conveys the joy of the owner’s arrival and invites them to chat soon.
