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Although quiet now, Buttercup (left) is one of the noisiest HappyCavy guinea pigs
As with most pets, communication is key in raising not only a healthy, but also a happy, guinea pig.
Owners, behaviorists and enthusiasts alike have learned that cavies are vocal creatures, producing an array of sounds exclusive to these animals. And although we can’t speak each other’s languages, humans can understand a lot about guinea pigs by interpreting the noises they make.
To help you better understand your fuzzy friend, and what it may trying to tell you, below are the seven most common guinea pig noises, and what they probably mean.
Wheeking
The “wheek” is a high-pitched squeak, which usually means they are excited. In fact, they’ll even signal to get your attention by wheeking louder as you approach them with a treat. But don’t let them fool you into giving them too many treats. It can be fun for an owner to hear their pig wheek out of excitement; however, a proper guinea pig diet is essential for a long life.
Purring
A common misconception is that all “purrs” sound the same, but that is not the case with guinea pigs. Because of the biological structure of their throats, guinea pigs are able to produce a purr that is unique to their species. As opposed to a cat’s high-pitched purr, the guinea pig’s is a deep, consistent sound.
A guinea pig purr usually means they are content or comforted. For example, if you’re petting them gently, you may eventually start to hear some purring. This interesting sound has caught many new owners off guard. Just remember, though, that if you are petting your guinea pig gently, and you hear a purr, it most likely means your cavy is enjoying its time with you.
Chutting
Chutting is when the guinea pig produces a series of short, staccato sounds. Like the purr, chutting is a sound produced in a relaxed or content state.
Chutting is often explained as a noise guinea pigs make when they are happily and comfortably exploring their environment. Keep in mind, your cavy will only chut in a new environment if it feels safe. Providing a safe and clean environment may be the best way to elicit this sound.
Growling
Audio file coursety of of BeanMakers.com
It’s hard to believe that such cute and friendly critters can produce a growl. Although not very intimidating, the growl can be interpreted as the guinea pig feeling threatened or frightened by a stimulus in the environment. The noise can be anywhere from loud to abrupt, “musical-sounding tones.”
Your guinea pig is likely in a vulnerable state when you hear it growling. To calm it, pet it as gently as possible and speak softly to it. In no time, that growl may even turn into a purr.
Rumbling
Many owners have a difficult time differentiating a rumble from a purr, but the rumble is produced in a slightly lower tone. The best way to differentiate these sounds may be to observe the behaviors that appear with each sound.
For example, the rumble is most commonly heard when a male is courting a female. If you hear your male guinea pig pursuing a female while making a low purring noise, that is most likely a rumble. Stick around and you might even get to see the “rumble strut,” which is the mating dance used to woo a female.
Shrieking
A shriek from your pet means that it is in some sort of physical pain. This should be a rare sound to hear if you’re watching over it carefully. However, it can happen from time to time. For example: when taking your guinea pig to the vet, you may hear a shriek when the doctor takes your guinea pig’s temperature. The process isn’t pleasant, thus your cavy will shriek to let you know it is very frightened.
If you hear a shriek while in your home, figure out what caused the shriek so you know how to avoid it next time. Nobody wants his or her pet to be feeling pain or fear.
Teeth Chattering
“Teeth chattering” is a rapid series of squeaks and gnashing of teeth. This is how a guinea pig expresses that he or she is unhappy and/or annoyed. A lot of things can elicit teeth chattering. For instance, if your pet is trying to nap but is being bothered by a cage-mate, teeth chattering will serve as a message that he wants to be left alone. Also, when you introduce two guinea pigs, you may hear this sound in the beginning, as they are likely determining cage dominance.
All types of guinea pigs can express themselves vocally with these various sounds. So, no matter what type of guinea pig you own, these meanings will apply. Taking care of a guinea pig by providing food and water, changing the bedding, grooming and entertaining are all essential in your care routine. But, in order to keep your pet happy, and thus healthy, you first need to know what your pet may be trying to tell you. Learning what these sounds mean is simple, and it’ll take you a long way with developing a strong relationship with your pet.
My guinea pig chirps! She’s only done it 3 or 4 times….sounds like a bird got into my house and began trilling..only she 2 of the times she did it were at night! Great article–very thorough!
Can’t hear the chutting or purring videos? Me or the videos? dk.
Thanks for letting us know, Ana! We *think* the “Purring” video may work now, but not sure about the “Chutting” video. Can you check it out and let us know? Silly YouTube!
Ana is my Disqus name, this is Little Miss Porcinette and Minou’s mom, actually : )
So, Hammy, you are right, purring works, chutting doesn’t.
I had 2 guniea pigs and whenever I would put the baby next to my older one he was like chitter his teeth i dont know if is that he will bite him or will he not so I was scaird to put them two togther
OK, I will fix as soon as my little paws can. Hello to LMP and Minou. I’m sure they’re classy as always. *wheek!*
I think the guinea pig chutting video is fixed now. 😀
I think my Humans may have fixed the Chutting video. It should have sound now 🙂 *week!*
Is it better for a guinea pig to purr or wheek?
Neither is better or worse. Think of it this way: wheeking = happy, purring = content. 🙂
My guinea pig makes a noise that I cannot identify. It sounds like it’s teeth chattering mostly but it also sounds a bit like purring, he does it when I hold/handle him. What do you think it is?
Piglet and Roo say hi by the way!
also, when making this noise, he sort of vibrates when I touch him.
I just got a couple of piggies this weekend. When I placed Seamus in his new cage, he made a very strange, high pitched squeak. It was really scary for me, because I know that usually that means pain. Could that be excitement too? The C&C cage I built is about double his old home and he has a buddy.
I have a question. My guinea pig always makes a whining or crying sound of some sort when I hold him. And none of the videos really help me identify what he wants. Does anyone have any good websites that I could go to that would help me identify my guinea pigs needs? Thanks.
Probably just purring especially if he likes you. Sometimes they don’t like being held though. He might be rumbling. They do that when they’re annoyed too.
Thank you that’s probably what it is. He has got more comfortable with being handled lately and no longer makes this noise often.
was looking for the share to send to my fb message privately.
how do you tell the diffence from a purr and a growl? i pet mine in a certain spot and it shakes and purrs and stretches out. Could this be a growl?
How funny! I just got 2 new Guinea pigs today, and they both seemed to be sleeping, as it is pretty late. I was reading this blog and listening to the sounds. As soon as I played the “chutting” video, one of my piggies started prancing around the cage making that noise! Awesome! I’m in love!
My pig makes purr sound when i pet him and he also goes on vibrating is it annoying him or he is enjoying??
Based on the videos i really can’t tell the difference between purring and growling. When he’s snacking on his veggies and im petting him he’ll make the purring/growling sound especially when i get down to his bum and give it a light scratch which makes me think it’s a purr so i keep doing it when i feed him his veggies but i really can’t tell. I only just got him 4 days ago and he is my first cavy. He is still very skittish when i come around but he seems overall very happy in his enclosure. Any advice? Thanks in advance! – Jonathan
I FEEL SO BAD!!! I was listening to the shriek while my guinea pig was sleeping and he woke up from his nap, he looked worried and started shrieking too😭 but to make it up to him he got a sliced zucchini
My baby boy has made the noise twice that I’ve heard in the 2.5 weeks I’ve had him
1. My friend walked in while he was out and he ran up me side into my hair by my ear so I heard it
2. We recently clipped his nails for first time and I heard it so I would stop and bribe home with a tear and he would hold still for a little while before wanting more of the treat
mine makes a sound that could be rumbling he doesn’t have a friend or purring but its more like a warble. i was petting. he was tucked up in a towel. he likes towels. I’m wondering if he’s happy? he seemed restless but wouldn’t go in his play tube which is how we safely transport him to and from his cage instead he kept circling around and burying his face in the towel. i let him play on the floor and he made the noise again when cuddling the towel. but he also toothed me when i tried putting him back in his cage. not hard just like a warning bite i think. thats his first signal of aggression. once he was back in his cage he continued making the sound. I’ve had him three days and he’s my first non dog. I’ve listening to soundbites and videos but nothing quite comes close.
try wrapping him in a blanket or towel so your scent isn’t overwhelming and he has the illusion of being in a nest or burrow. calms mine right down. he’s my first though and I’ve owned him three days. he also likes hoodie sweatshirts. so he recognizes the towel and feels more comfortable use the same one as much as possible. or alternate or something when one needs washed.
Thank you so uch for these valuable info! very helpfull!