Piggy noises... how Guinea Pigs communicate vocally
Guinea Pig Sounds
Guinea Pig is always trying to tell you something. The Cavy is a chatty animal, amusingly interactive and communicative, so you should know what he/she is trying to tell you! In fact, guinea pigs use sounds as a primary means of communication, and since they are herd animals, sounds are also their means of maintaining social rank. Understanding guinea pig sounds is one of the basic prerequisites for understanding what your pet is trying to tell you. Once you master these, you will be able to serve your masters better. You will know where to pet, where you should not touch them, when to give them food and obey them, if you need to take them out to pet them, when they are in danger, if they are having a good time, etc.
Wheeking
Most popular and known sound made by a guinea pig
It is a frequently used vocalization, generally communicating anticipation and excitement, particularly about being fed, or in response to the presence of its owner
Wheeking is considered to be a form of begging, in some cases mostly heard in the morning and the evening (associated with feeding time)
Sometimes it serves as a call for an attention as they frequently call to their human slaves
If all the food in the world is provided, and they are still making this (or similar) noise, then maybe they would like to be petted, or released to some free walking time
One can often hear this sound when owner opens refrigerator or is rustling with plastic bags which guinea pig usually links to food source
At some point in your pet’s life, you will not be able to cut vegetables without this background noise.
Purring
Bubbling or purring can be heard when the cavy is enjoying itself/being happy (e.g. when being petted or held)
Can be also produced when given food, grooming, or crawling around to investigate a new place
NOTE: Beware of the purring pitch and body language which complements this guinea pig sound category and could change original meaning (if the purr is higher pitched toward the end, and your pet seems to vibrate and tense, this could be interpreted as a sound of annoyance which is more Rumbling then purring.
Rumbling
The rumble is similar to the purr, except with a vibrating effect and lower pitch. Owners with a single cavy will most likely not get the opportunity to hear this; however, if you have a male and female, you may hear this frequently.
The male uses this sound when he is wooing the female. In a way, it’s his mating call. He will start to wiggle his hips and walk around the female in a seemingly arbitrary pattern. This is often called the “rumble strut.” It’s really a funny yet fascinating process to watch. And if you ever get the chance to see it, just leave them alone and appreciate this natural occurrence.
When the male isn’t trying to romance the female, the female may use the rumble to signal to the male that she’s in season and ready to mate. So this noise isn't exclusively to male pigs.
Some Guinea Pigs rumble when they are scared or feel threatened. Sounds a bit like purring, only lower pitched (deeper) and accompanied with vibrating.
Also related to dominance within a group
Petting in the wrong spots (for instance, on your pet’s underside) often results in low rumbling sound
Teeth Chattering
Aggressive vocalization: a sign of an agitated or angry cavy
This guinea pig sound is made by rapidly gnashing the teeth
Often accompanied by showing the teeth (looks like a yawn, but more sinister) and raising the head
Freely interpreted as “back off” or “stay away”
It’s common for chattering to occur when you first introduce a guinea pig to another. They are simply warning each other not to interfere with each other’s territory or personal space. If chattering happens, separate the two before they start fighting and slowly reintroduce them after they've calmed down.
Whining
Used to communicate annoyance or dislike (basically complaining) for something an owner or another guinea pig is doing
Can be heard in pursuit situations (both the pursuer and the pursuee)
A guinea pig’s whining sounds like a high-pitched moan. This noise is vocalized when the piggy is being disturbed. If you or a fellow cage mate interrupts his or her nap, you may hear this noise. Just step away, and let them be.
Chirping/ Chutting
Like the purr, chutting /chirping happens when your guinea pig is relaxed, happy or content.
Now, this is a noise that you may or may not hear your guinea pigs make. As for some reason, only certain ones will make such a sound, usually babies.
It often happens when babies are exploring a new home, following mom around or when pigs are grazing
Snoring when sleeping
Sound recorded while guinea pig was sleeping comfortably on the human slave belly, wrapped in the cozy towel
Breathing rhythm on the record does not represent the real breathing rhythm, because some of the parts were cut off so that sounds could be heard as clearly as possible
Do you have snoring problems? This guinea pig is daring any human to beat him in the snoring contest, se feel free to accept the challenge!
Squealing or Shrieking
A high-pitched noise of discontent, pain and/or fear
Response to pain or immediate danger
Hearing a loud shriek may be distressing to both you and your pet. It usually means your guinea pig is sensing immediate danger or is feeling pain and discomfort. If you’re doing a good job keeping an eye on them, this sound should be very rare. But it does happen. For example, if one of your guinea pigs bites another, you will likely hear a shriek. It’s important to immediately attend to the situation and figure out what caused such a sound.
URGENT NOTE: Check on your pet ASAP to make sure everything is okay!
