Guinea Pig Sounds and What they Mean

Communication between animals is just as important as communication is from person to person and although their method of communication is quite different from ours, it is still for similar reasons.

One little animal we are familiar with is the beloved guinea pig and we all know those little critters make a lot of noises and sounds, from high pitched squeaks to low pitched grunting noises, but we may as ourselves, what do these Guinea pig sounds mean?

Well although not a vast amount of money has been invested into scientific evaluation into these guinea pig sounds, most guinea pig owners will agree on the same or similar meanings of these sounds and sometimes the guinea pig actions following these sounds just emphasises their meanings.

Below I will discuss a few guinea pig sounds and what they mean.

The Rumble sound occurs when a male guinea pig is courting and romancing around a female guinea pig. The Rumble sounds like a very deep purr, almost vibrating and is continuous. The male guinea pig will move his body, especially hips region, from side to side while doing this rumble sound.

Now although this action seems quite cute, if you do not want your male guinea pig to get busy with your female pig, then you will have to separate them.

If your female guinea accepts his offer and is in heat she will let him do his business and will inevitably become pregnant.

If she doesn’t accept this ‘mating dance’, then things can get ugly and the first action she will make is the ‘Teeth Chattering’ sound/action that is mentioned below.

This sound/action will occur as mentioned above, when a female guinea pig does not accept the male guinea pig’s mating call, but it also can happen if two mature male boars are placed in the same vicinity or cage or more generally if one guinea pig dislikes another.

When teeth chattering occurs you will hear a distinct sound of teeth banging off each other rapidly plus you will be able to observe the guinea pigs mouth moving.

Guinea pigs must be separated for a short period of time or indefinitely if this teeth chattering occurs as things will get very ugly soon.

This squeal is a very common and recognizable guinea pig sound and can mean your guinea pig is Uncomfortable, Nervous, Hungry or Lonely.

As the title suggests the sound is high pitched and repeated, sounds familiar to a pig’s squeal and normally happens when you pick up your guinea pig, when your guinea pig gets a fright from some sort of stimuli such as a loud noise and also when your pig is hungry.

I’ve also noticed that this guinea pig noise occurs at first when you separate baby guinea pigs from their mother during weaning. I remember the young pigs constantly made this noise when placed into their new cage during weaning and although this was a very uncomfortable and sad scene to watch, it had to be done.

Guinea pig purring can sound very alike the guinea pig rumble, but is in a higher pitch plus there is no swaying of the body. Your pigs will purr when they are generally happy, comfortable or when they are enjoying you petting and pampering them.

This muttering sound you will hear constantly as your guinea pig is in its cage wandering around. This guinea pig sound seems to be guinea pigs talking to themselves or speaking their thoughts and they generally do it when they are relaxed and happy in their surroundings, or just when they are eating their yummy guinea pig food.

I’ve also noticed guinea pigs making this sound whilst they are in the company of other guinea pigs, maybe they are having conversations amongst themselves.