What Does It Imply When Guinea Pigs Purr?

We’ve all heard our guinea pigs squeak after we rustle plastic baggage, open the fridge, and even stroll into the room. It’s fairly simple 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, comfortable, 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 varied varieties of purring in guinea pigs and what each means. We’ll additionally focus on different physique language so you may differentiate between comfortable 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 totally different conditions so as to see which most closely fits your piggy’s conduct.

Quick Purrs Whereas Being Pet

In case your guinea pig purrs whenever you pet them, it may imply one in every of two issues.

Quick purrs sometimes point out discomfort at being pet. You could be petting an space they don’t need touched, akin to their again or rear. Or, you could be petting them in opposition to the grain of their fur, which most piggies don’t like.

It’s additionally attainable you’re petting them too roughly, or your piggy isn’t snug with pets in any respect.

Uncomfortable guinea pigs might keep nonetheless, not leaning into the pets or exposing themselves extra absolutely to your attain. Their eyes may appear massive and fearful, and so they possible aren’t going to get cozy in your lap however as a substitute will simply stand there.

Lengthy Purrs Whereas Being Pet

Then again, a piggy who’s giving lengthy purrs is probably going having fun with the pets. They might shut their eyes, lean into your hand, or provide up delicate areas (akin to lifting their head for chin scratches).

They might soften into your lap or flop to their aspect in a present of consolation and belief.

Purring Whereas Working Across the Cage

This generally occurs round mealtimes or when different thrilling issues are taking place. Your piggy might run round, popcorn, squeak, or stand on two legs to attempt to attain the goodies!

That is clearly an excited conduct and means your piggies are wanting ahead to dinner, having fun with flooring time, or perhaps even very comfortable 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 backwards and forwards, their our bodies shaking as they rumble. A rumble seems 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 may additionally happen when a male piggy reveals curiosity in a feminine or a feminine is in warmth. Please bear in mind to maintain intact female and male guinea pigs housed individually with a strong barrier between their cages to stop mating.

Quick, 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 may freeze up or run to huddle beneath their hides.

You might even see their cage mates reply in variety, hiding or freezing as they, too, strive to determine the place the hazard is.

This needs to be an rare noise for piggies. If it’s taking place typically, strive taking away no matter’s scaring them. As an example, you may have to 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 far decrease in pitch than purring and even rumbling. You can too inform the distinction from context.

Guinea pigs not often growl, so in the event that they do they’re possible very aggravated. They’ll possible present different indicators of unhappiness akin to baring their tooth, freezing in place, or large, fearful eyes.

Growling will be paired with tooth grinding and is typically 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 perhaps even put them of their cage to decompress.

How Do I Know if My Guinea Pig is Joyful?

It may 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 susceptible 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 could 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 a great signal in case your piggy is opting into your interactions

Keep in mind that your guinea pig isn’t essentially comfortable simply because they aren’t operating away. They’ll freeze out of concern, or tolerate issues as a result of they suppose they must.

As an example, a guinea pig compelled to be held might not be proud of how they’re being pet. They may simply know that they will’t get away or be too afraid to try it.

Then again, when you have been to take a seat on the bottom together with your piggy and so they run over to you or crawl into your lap themselves, you already know that is what they need.

Or, they may loosen up into your maintain and flop onto their aspect exposing their tummy–displaying complete rest and belief.

Different Guinea Pig Noises

Different guinea pig noises embody:

• Squeaking: This implies your piggies are excited, and certain 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 method, the issue needs to be addressed instantly.
• Cooing: Mama piggies will coo softly at their infants. Guinea pigs might also coo at folks or different piggies to point out affection.
• Enamel chattering: An indignant sound that’s typically heard throughout bonding or when cage mates are having an argument. They don’t essentially have to be separated, however do regulate them–particularly in the event that they’re newly bonded.
• Hissing: It is a rarer sound which suggests your guinea pig could be very indignant! Give them area.
• Sneezing: Sneezing sometimes means your guinea pig ought to see a veterinarian. It may point out an higher respiratory an infection (URI), which might progress in a short time with out therapy. In case your guinea pig is sneezing constantly (fairly than only a single sneeze) or reveals different indicators of URI, they need to see a vet in a short time.

Guinea pigs will be robust to learn whenever you’re used to preserving predator animals as pets, or whenever 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.