We’ve all heard our guinea pigs squeak once we rustle plastic luggage, open the fridge, and even stroll into the room. It’s fairly straightforward to see that this sound means they need one thing–often meals. However what does it imply when guinea pigs purr?
Guinea pigs purr once they’re excited, afraid, blissful, or displaying dominance over one other pig. Purring when pet can point out both discomfort or contentment, relying in your guinea pig’s different physique language.
On this article, we’ll speak concerning the numerous sorts of purring in guinea pigs and what each means. We’ll additionally focus on different physique language so you may differentiate between blissful and sad purrs.
Why Do Guinea Pigs Purr?
Guinea pigs purr for a plethora of causes: happiness, pleasure, concern, discomfort, and dominance. Let’s dig into some completely different conditions in an effort to see which most closely fits your piggy’s habits.
Brief Purrs Whereas Being Pet
In case your guinea pig purrs if you pet them, it might imply one in every of two issues.
Brief purrs sometimes point out discomfort at being pet. You could be petting an space they don’t need touched, similar to their again or rear. Or, you could be petting them towards the grain of their fur, which most piggies don’t like.
It’s additionally potential you’re petting them too roughly, or your piggy isn’t snug with pets in any respect.
Uncomfortable guinea pigs could keep nonetheless, not leaning into the pets or exposing themselves extra absolutely to your attain. Their eyes may appear giant and fearful, and so they seemingly aren’t going to get cozy in your lap however as a substitute will simply stand there.
Lengthy Purrs Whereas Being Pet
Alternatively, a piggy who’s giving lengthy purrs is probably going having fun with the pets. They could shut their eyes, lean into your hand, or provide up delicate areas (similar to lifting their head for chin scratches).
They could soften into your lap or flop to their aspect in a present of consolation and belief.
Purring Whereas Operating Across the Cage
This generally occurs round mealtimes or when different thrilling issues are occurring. Your piggy could run round, popcorn, squeak, or stand on two legs to attempt to attain the goodies!
That is clearly an excited habits and means your piggies are trying ahead to dinner, having fun with flooring time, or possibly even very blissful of their cage.
Lengthy Purrs Towards Different Guinea Pigs
That is also referred to as rumble strutting and is a show of dominance. Piggies will shift their weight forwards and backwards, their our bodies shaking as they rumble. A rumble appears like a purr, however is a bit deeper in pitch.
Rumble strutting is most typical in males throughout bonding, however can proceed even in piggies who’ve lived collectively for ages. Females additionally rumble strut.
It could additionally happen when a male piggy reveals curiosity in a feminine or a feminine is in warmth. Please keep in mind to maintain intact female and male guinea pigs housed individually with a strong barrier between their cages to stop mating.
Brief, Random Purr
A brief purr out of the blue, after a loud noise, or when the canine approaches the cage signifies concern. Your guinea pig would possibly freeze up or run to huddle beneath their hides.
You may even see their cage mates reply in sort, hiding or freezing as they, too, attempt to determine the place the hazard is.
This must be an rare noise for piggies. If it’s occurring typically, attempt taking away no matter’s scaring them. For example, you would possibly must be extra quiet round them or maintain different pets out of the room the place the piggies are housed.
Is My Guinea Pig Growling or Purring?
Growling is way decrease in pitch than purring and even rumbling. It’s also possible to inform the distinction from context.
Guinea pigs hardly ever growl, so in the event that they do they’re seemingly very irritated. They’ll seemingly present different indicators of unhappiness similar to baring their enamel, freezing in place, or vast, fearful eyes.
Growling could be paired with enamel grinding and is usually adopted by a chew in case your piggy’s boundaries aren’t revered. In case your guinea pig growls at you, please cease what you’re doing and possibly even put them of their cage to decompress.
How Do I Know if My Guinea Pig is Comfortable?
It could take time to study what guinea pig sounds and physique language imply, particularly when you’re new to them. Some methods guinea pigs present happiness are:
- Popcorning – when a guinea pig leaps into the air out of pleasure
- Zoomies – operating round their cage or the ground
- Positions that reveal their neck or tummy – these are a weak positions and present that your piggy trusts you
- Leaning into your hand – this implies, “extra pets, please!”
- Closed eyes or sleeping throughout pets – your piggy may be very relaxed and having fun with the eye
- Willingly strolling as much as you – whether or not within the cage or throughout flooring time, it’s an excellent signal in case your piggy is opting into your interactions
Keep in mind that your guinea pig isn’t essentially blissful simply because they aren’t operating away. They’ll freeze out of concern, or tolerate issues as a result of they assume they must.
For example, a guinea pig pressured to be held is probably not pleased with how they’re being pet. They could simply know that they will’t get away or be too afraid to try it.
Alternatively, when you had been to take a seat on the bottom along with your piggy and so they run over to you or crawl into your lap themselves, you recognize that is what they need.
Or, they may calm down into your maintain and flop onto their aspect exposing their tummy–displaying whole rest and belief.
Different Guinea Pig Noises
Different guinea pig noises embrace:
- Squeaking: This implies your piggies are excited, and sure that they need one thing. The most typical time for guinea pigs to squeak is once they’re about to be fed!
- Chirping: A high-pitched chirping sound, nearly like a chicken, signifies concern.
- Screeching: A loud, high-pitched noise of misery. Your guinea pig could also be very afraid or in ache. Both manner, the issue must be addressed instantly.
- Cooing: Mama piggies will coo softly at their infants. Guinea pigs may additionally coo at individuals or different piggies to point out affection.
- Tooth chattering: An offended sound that’s typically heard throughout bonding or when cage mates are having an argument. They don’t essentially must be separated, however do keep watch over them–particularly in the event that they’re newly bonded.
- Hissing: This can be a rarer sound which suggests your guinea pig may be very offended! Give them area.
- Sneezing: Sneezing sometimes means your guinea pig ought to see a veterinarian. It could point out an upper respiratory infection (URI), which might progress in a short time with out remedy. In case your guinea pig is sneezing constantly (slightly than only a single sneeze) or reveals different indicators of URI, they need to see a vet in a short time.
Guinea pigs could be robust to learn if you’re used to protecting predator animals as pets, or if you haven’t had a pet earlier than in any respect! I hope this text has helped you higher perceive your piggies’ sounds, physique language, and what it means once they purr.
Keep in mind that purring can point out each happiness and discomfort, so the context and their physique language make a giant distinction.
