Guinea Pig Sounds: A Guide To Behavioral Patterns

Behavior is common among living species, especially humans and animals. Like all other animals, guinea pig also exhibits different behavioral patterns that a pet owner must understand. It is essential to learn about your pet’s behavior in order for you to recognize their unusual behavior, potential needs and moods that your pet is trying to communicate with you.

Guinea pigs are inquisitive and socially active in nature. Learning your pet’s behavior greatly contribute to a closer relationship with your pet. Every movement and gesture of your pet have its own meaning and interpretations. Below are guidelines that will be a great help for every guinea pig owner.

• Vocal Communication. Guinea pigs often use noises to express themselves. Understanding these is a tool to understand their needs. Consider some of the examples below of guinea pig sounds:

• Whistling. They often let out a high pitch squeal or whistle, this is a manifestation that your pet feels excitement probably because it’s feeding time or play time.


• Purring. A purr sound of a guinea pig seems to be identical with a cat purr. These purrs have different meaning based on the pitch of the sound. A higher pitch is more likely a sound of annoyance while the shorter sounding, apprehensive purr may mean fear. For some, fear can be signalled by a high-pitched squeak or shriek. A deep, relaxed one means your pet is content.


• Hissing. This sounds like chattering teeth, which means that your guinea pig is angry or may exhibit some aggressive feeling. It is often accompanied by bared teeth.


• Chirping. A strange sound that a guinea pig may produce, and one of the strangest guinea pig sounds. Chirping noise is often made when your pet is in a trance-like state. Some guinea pig exhibits such kind of behavior when they have lost their partner. There’s an untold mystery with this behavior which is not fully understood.

• Physical Communication. Guinea pigs can also express themselves through a non-verbal manner. Being able to interpret such behavior is necessary for better understanding of their needs. Here are some instances:

• Signs of happiness/friendliness. If your pet is pleased with you, it will find ways to express and respond to you through varied body language. Rapid hopping up and down, which is similar to popcorn popping is a sign that your pet is happy. Rubbing noses, which guinea pig will often do with each other is a sign of being friendly. Guinea pig also exhibits licking to show a sense of being friendly.


• Sign of anxiety/aggression. Your guinea pig is scared or uncomfortable when it shows freezing and fidgeting, or even throwing his head up in the air. The signs of being aggressive include teeth baring and hissing, hair fluffing and strutting.


• Socializing. Guinea pigs are social creatures. They enjoy playing and interacting with each other. Therefore a lone guinea pig may have behavior problems like stress and depression. So it is best to allow them to play and interact with another guinea pig or with the pet owner.


• Signs of stress and depression. A stressed guinea pig will show signs of irritability and more aggressive displays of behavior, such as tossing, fidgeting or teeth-baring. A depressed guinea pig, on the other hand, will become very listless and shows less energy. If these happen, it’s better to consult a veterinarian to bring back the happiness of your pet. Depression can happen in lone guinea pigs, one that has lost a friend, or when a new guinea pig is introduced. Lots of loving and treats can help.

Guinea Pig Sounds: A Guide To Behavioral Patterns