Guinea pigs are one of the most emotional pets that you will not regret owning. However, to bond with the pet, you must be able to interpret all their communications that may include different body gestures accompanied by varying sounds. It is normal for their squeaks to not be loud enough to disturb their neighbors, but what could cause constant squeaks?
Nonstop squeaking from your guinea pig may be a result of body injuries, health problems, a hostile cage mate, or loneliness. Therefore, there needs to be an immediate response as soon as the pet squeaks constantly. Other situations could be so fatal if neglected.
Read ahead for detailed information on understanding your guinea pig pet better. You will also learn how to build a stronger friendship with the pet; all in this article.
Why Do Guinea Pigs Squeak?
Despite their small bodies, guinea pigs enjoy attention and company from humans and other cage mates. These pets squeak and make different sounds whenever they are passing information about something as well as when communicating with each other.
The squeaks however vary from cat purrs to painful growls, or happy whistles depending on the pet’s immediate mood. Some of the reasons behind your guinea pig’s squeaks are:
- Need for socializing
Guinea pigs have a special feel on interaction. They will always want to interact and have fun with others of their own as well as with anyone taking care of them. If neglected the guinea pig may get depressions.
- Signs of Excitement
Once you make it in building a friendly zone with your guinea pigs, they will always love to express out their feelings to you from time to time. Usually, guinea pigs jumping up and down rapidly, and rubbing noses together accompany such exciting sounds.
- Physical communication
Pet guinea pigs have different needs that will need your occasional attention. Some of these needs may include the need to pee, hunger, anxiety, or pain in their bodies. Most of these sounds may seem non –verbal but full of several gestures depending on the intensity of the need at hand.
However, this physical communication may not be easy to understand but the more you build your relationship with the pet, the better chances you stand to interpret their needs.
- Signs of Anxiety/Stress
There are moments when your pet is going through emotional pain from the loss of a partner, or because of irritation, or resulting from aggressiveness. These sounds often include different body behaviors such as fidgeting, tossing, and teeth chattering.
What Are the Different Sounds Guinea Pigs Make?
Guinea pigs make the following noises based on their immediate feelings in various environments or when relating with their partners.
- Whistle-like Sounds: – This is a show of excitement, mostly during play or feeding time.
- Hissing:- Guinea pigs most probably produce this sound because they are angry about something. It may also sound like teeth chattering
- Purring: – this cat-like sound may mean your guinea pig is contented and relaxed. However, short purrs could be signs of fear, accompanied by uneasy shrieks.
- Chirping: – Guinea pigs in deep physical or emotional pain such as the loss of a partner make this sound.
- Growling: – When in distress, your guinea pig may make this sound, along with excessive pacing around the room. You may need to pat or cuddle your pet to reassure him that everything is alright.
- Wheeking: – this is a hunger-related sound. You may tell this sound from other sounds because your pet makes it as soon as it spots you walking around or towards him.
- Chutting: – Some guinea pigs make this sound when they are happy. The sound is however not limited to specific breeds of guinea pig, it may often sound like purring and is entirely dependent on the pet.
Why Won’t My Guinea Pig Stop Squeaking?
Guinea pigs normally squeak to get the attention of their owners or to notify them of something they need. Nevertheless, when the squeaks begin to bother your neighbors, you might want to look into the following.
- Check for Any Injuries on Your Pet
While jumping up and down in excitement, the guinea pig might have jumped out of your arms and got injured. This may also result from dropping the pet or any other accidents.
- Stuck in the Cage
Guinea pig cages generally have netting or mesh walls and floors, which may trap the animals at times. So if your pet continually squeaks, you may need to check its immediate location. It may be stuck between two pillars, making it uncomfortable or in pain.
- Hostile Cage Mate
Guinea pigs can be very particular about their territories. In this case, it may be wise to check on your guinea pigs if they have a new partner, as either one may be overpowering the other. Male guinea pigs often struggle with this, so if you have two, consider splitting them up into separate cages.
- Need for a Bath
Naturally, guinea pigs are self-cleaning pets, but they need actual bathing at least twice a year. For instance, longhaired guinea pigs are more likely to be lice-infested, which is even more uncomfortable for the animal, thus the constant squeaks.
- Loneliness
Guinea pigs are social animals that when lonely, may get depressed and squeal constantly to attract attention. So you may need to cuddle the pet reassuringly or find a partner to keep him/her company. In either case, if you are looking for a mate for your guinea pig, make sure you are not getting an adult mate unless they are of the opposite sex. Since that could also spark a fight between them.
- Health Problems
A pet may experience depression and pain due to fecal impaction or any other health issue. Fecal impaction causes the pet to have difficulty defecating, so it could experience painful moments enough to make him squeal louder than normal.
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