Care guide · Guinea pigs

Guinea pig sounds and what they mean

Checked against Burgess Pet Care: Why do guinea pigs vibrate?, Chewy, MSD Veterinary Manual: Description and physical characteristics of guinea pigs and 5 more on

Guinea pigs have a sound for most moods. A loud, whistling wheek means they are excited, usually about food. A soft purr while you stroke them means content. A deep rumble, often with a slow sway, is about rank or romance. Teeth chattering and hissing mean back off, and a sudden high shriek means fear or pain, so check on them straight away.

What sounds do guinea pigs make and what do they mean?

Guinea pigs are chatty animals. The MSD Vet Manual notes they make many sounds, including squeaks and chirps, and Purdue's vet school says one explanation for the "pig" in their name is that they grunt and squeal like one. The meaning of each sound depends on what the body is doing at the same time, so listen and look together.

Sound What it sounds like What it usually means What to do
Wheek Loud, long, high whistle Excited, expecting food or a favourite person Nothing; enjoy it
Purr Soft, low, short burble Content, often while stroked Keep doing what you are doing
Rumble Deep, buzzing purr with a sway Dominance, courting, or a sow in season Watch; normal in small doses
Chut or cluck Quiet, repeated short clucks Curious, exploring, comfortable Nothing
Coo Very soft, low murmur Comfort: mothers to babies, or adults reassuring each other Nothing
Whine Whiny, complaining squeak Unhappy or uneasy, such as during nail trims Pause, then go gently
Drr Short, sharp burr Startled by a sudden noise Keep things calm and quiet
Teeth chatter Rapid clicking of teeth Annoyed or threatened Back off; watch cage mates
Hiss Soft hiss, often with chattering Annoyed, warning Give space
Shriek or scream Loud, piercing, high Fear, pain or alarm Check on them at once
Chirp Bird-like, repeated cheep Not well understood Watch for other signs

The table draws on Burgess and on Chewy's vet-reviewed guide to guinea pig squeaks. Our guide to guinea pig behaviour and body language covers the moves that go with these sounds.

What sounds does a happy guinea pig make?

A happy guinea pig wheeks, purrs softly and chuts. The wheek is the famous one: Chewy's vet-reviewed guide calls it a begging sound made in anticipation of a treat, a person or a companion, and Burgess says guinea pigs do it when they know it is dinner time. Many owners hear it the moment the fridge opens.

A content purr is short, soft and low, with a relaxed body and eyes half closed. Burgess compares the gentle vibration a guinea pig makes while being stroked to a cat's purr, a sign of deep contentment. Chuts, or clucks, are the quiet running commentary of a guinea pig exploring a new box or wandering the playpen. Pair these sounds with popcorning, the sudden jumps the MSD Vet Manual describes, and you have a very happy guinea pig.

Which guinea pig sounds mean fear, stress or pain?

Teeth chattering, hissing, whining, drr-ing and shrieking all mean something is wrong. Burgess says teeth chattering with a vibrating body means the guinea pig is annoyed and wants you to back off, and a high squeal is an alarm call to warn companions of danger. Chewy's vet-reviewed guide describes the shriek or scream as a loud, piercing call of fear, pain or alarm, made with a tense body, and says to check on the guinea pig right away.

Look at the body too. The RSPCA lists hiding most of the time, sitting hunched, reluctance to move, over-grooming and chewing cage bars as signs of stress, boredom or illness. A guinea pig that makes a pained squeak when you touch one spot may be hurt there.

A guinea pig that suddenly goes quiet is as worrying as one that screams. The RSPCA notes that guinea pigs hide pain well, and being quieter than usual is a warning sign. If a normally chatty guinea pig stops wheeking for food, ring a vet the same day.

Why are my guinea pigs chasing each other and squeaking?

Usually they are sorting out who is in charge. Chasing, rumbling, mounting, nose-to-nose standoffs and plenty of squeaks are normal, especially when guinea pigs first meet, when one reaches adulthood, or when a sow comes into season. Burgess explains that males rumble and stamp their feet to attract females, known as rumblestrutting, and that females rumble when in season or to assert dominance over another female.

It has gone too far when you see:

  • Loud teeth chattering and hissing that does not settle.
  • Both guinea pigs rearing up face to face with mouths open.
  • Lunging, biting or clumps of fur pulled out.
  • Any blood, or a guinea pig with a cut or nipped ear.
  • One guinea pig hiding all the time or not reaching the food.

If a real fight starts, slide a towel or a piece of card between them rather than using your hands, and separate them into side-by-side cages. Our guide to guinea pig pairs and introductions explains how to bond them again, and why plenty of space and two of every hide helps.

Why are my guinea pigs purring at each other?

When guinea pigs "purr" at each other, it is almost always the deep rumble, not the soft content purr. The rumbling guinea pig often sways its back end from side to side and walks slowly round the other one. Burgess says this is how boars court sows and how both sexes show rank, so between two cage mates it is a normal part of keeping order. If it comes with teeth chattering or hissing, it is turning into a disagreement; if the other guinea pig simply walks off or flops down, it is settled.

Which guinea pig noises mean you should see a vet?

Breathing noises are the ones to act on. Chewy's vet-reviewed guide lists low, muffled or raspy squeaks, and clicking, crackling or wheezing, as sounds to report to a vet. These can be signs of a chest infection, which needs treatment quickly in guinea pigs. Also book a vet if a guinea pig squeals whenever you stroke its rump or neck against the fur, which Chewy's guide links to itching from mites or lice. Our guinea pig health guide lists other signs to watch.

What sounds calm guinea pigs?

A quiet room and a soft, steady human voice do more than anything else. Woodgreen says guinea pigs are easily scared by loud noise and suggests avoiding busy rooms such as the kitchen or playroom. The RSPCA asks for gentle, quiet handling and says never to shout at a guinea pig, as it will only make them more nervous.

We found no welfare charity or vet source showing that "calming music" or recorded guinea pig sounds settle them, so we would not rely on it. What does help:

  1. Pick a quiet spot. Keep the cage away from TVs, speakers, washing machines and slamming doors.
  2. Talk before you touch. Speak softly as you approach so they hear you coming rather than being surprised by a hand.
  3. Keep sounds steady. Low, even sounds are better than sudden ones; the short drr call is how guinea pigs react to a sudden loud noise.
  4. Give cover. A hide each lets them retreat when a noise startles them, and they settle faster.
  5. Use food. Hand-feeding a favourite green while you talk quietly links your voice with good things.

Our guide on how to tame and bond with a guinea pig builds on this, and our complete guinea pig care guide covers the rest of their needs.

Questions owners ask

Why do guinea pigs wheek when I open the fridge?

Because they have learnt the sound means food. A wheek is a loud, high-pitched whistle that Chewy's vet-reviewed guide describes as a begging call, made in anticipation of a favourite treat, person or companion. Guinea pigs quickly link the rustle of a bag, the fridge door or your footsteps at feeding time with fresh veg.

Is guinea pig purring good or bad?

It depends on the tone and the body. A soft, low purr with a relaxed body while you stroke them means contentment, Burgess says. A deeper, louder rumble with a slow sway is usually a guinea pig showing rank or courting. A purr that comes with a tense body, vibrating and chattering teeth means it is annoyed and wants space.

Why does my guinea pig squeak when I pick it up?

Usually because it is nervous. Guinea pigs are prey animals, and being lifted feels like being caught, so many squeal or whine, especially before they trust you. PetMD notes squealing when held is common. A sudden new squeak when you touch one spot, or a squeal when you stroke the rump, can mean pain or skin mites, so check with a vet.

Do guinea pigs make noise at night?

Yes. Guinea pigs are active in short bursts day and night, and Burgess says they are awake up to 20 hours a day, so you will hear munching, rustling, the odd wheek and the occasional rumble after dark. If the noise keeps you awake, move the cage to a quieter room rather than covering it.

What does it mean when a guinea pig hisses?

A hiss means the guinea pig is annoyed or stressed and wants you, or another guinea pig, to back off. Burgess and Chewy's vet-reviewed guide both list it with teeth chattering as a warning sign. Give it space, and if two cage mates are hissing and chattering at each other, watch closely in case it becomes a fight.

Why is my guinea pig chirping?

Chirping is one of the less understood guinea pig sounds. It is a bird-like, repeated cheep that can go on for a while. Burgess links a high chirp during stroking with contentment, while Chewy's vet-reviewed guide lists chirping among sounds worth mentioning to a vet. If a guinea pig chirps and also seems unwell, book a check.

Sources

Read next

Guinea pig behaviour and body language explained

Wheek: excited. Low purr: content. Rumble: dominance or courting. Teeth chatter or hiss: back off. Popcorning: joy. Hiding and hunching: stress or illness.

Do guinea pigs need a friend? Pairs and groups

Yes, guinea pigs need a friend. Two need a cage of at least 1 m² (10.5 sq ft) on one level; two boars need about 1.1 m² (12 sq ft).

How to tame, handle and bond with a guinea pig

Let it settle, talk softly, hand-feed favourite veg, stroke its head, then lift low with one hand under the chest and one under the bottom.

Guinea pig health: signs of illness to watch for

Not eating, fewer droppings, laboured breathing, drooling, hunching or hiding all need a vet fast. Check teeth, nails, coat, bottom and weight weekly.

Guinea pig care: the complete guide

Keep at least two together, give them about 1 m² (10.5 sq ft) or more, unlimited hay, fresh veg and vitamin C every day, and a yearly vet check.

Guinea pig facts: surprising things about guinea pigs

Guinea pigs aren't pigs or from Guinea, can't make their own vitamin C, have 20 teeth that never stop growing, and are born furred with eyes open.