Guinea Pig Sounds
Ever wondered what all those squeaks, wheeks and purring noises
mean? Guinea pigs exhibit a vast variety of behaviour and sounds
which allows them to communicate their wants, needs and feelings to
each other and you as a cavy carer. Guinea pigs are very vocal
animals and should be encouraged with a large environment and
another guinea pig to talk to, which will allow them to express
themselves at all times.
Sounds
Guinea pigs exhibit a myriad of sounds which are defined below:
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Name
Sound
Description
Meaning
Example
Wheek
Hunger - I would like food:
Usually a guinea pig will wheek
when they hear a plastic bag
rustle or a door open as this
usually signifies feeding time.
“Wheeek”
A long, loud squeeking
sound. A guinea pig
may move its ears up
and down whilst
wheeking
Video by Jamienov81
Purring
“Purrrrrr”
A deep rumble in the
back of the throat. A
guinea pigs pur will be
prolong and not a short
“brr” like a growl.
Enjoyment/Pleasure: A guinea
pig usually makes this noise
when they are being stroked or
petted. Guinea pigs enjoy
being rubbed behind the ears
and some guinea pigs under
the chin.
Video by Soph7133
Growl
“Drr”
A short, abrupt growl.
Similar to a purr but
shorter. It sometimes
sounds like a “drrr”
sound.
I do not like this/scared:
Guinea Pigs usually growl
when they hear a noise they
do not like or feel threatened.
Gently pet your guinea pig
should they feel scared, or
place them in a safe, familar
environment such as back in
their cage.
Click to hear me Growl
Sound Courtesy of Beanmakers.com
Rumble
“Brrr”
A low deep rumbling
sound. Usually a
guinea pig will sway
its hips back and forth
or may rumble whilst
patrolling the cage or
expressing dominance
over another guinea
pig.
Dominance/Mating: A guinea
pig may rumble around
another guinea pig in a mating
dance. Cavies can also rumble
after a cage clean to show their
dominance over an area, or
to show another guinea pig
they are “boss”
Video by Pigs003
Chatter
“ChCh”
A guinea pig will move
it’s teeth rapidly with
the jaw moving side to
side.
Anger/Annoyance: A guinea
pig will teeth chatter when
they are expressing annoyance
or anger. A guinea pig can
teeth chatter if they don’t like
a noise, being petted in a
certain way or if they are
expressing dominant behaviour.
Cavies will chatter at each
other to help decide who will
be the dominant guinea pig in
a herd. This may also
accompany yawning (showing
their teeth)
Video by 0LoLis0
Shrieking
“EEEEE”
A very loud, high
pitched shriek.
Danger/Pain/Fear: A guinea
pig may shriek for a number
or reasons.
The first could be danger. If
they feel threatened they will
shriek to warn other guinea
pigs in their herd to be on alert.
A guinea pig may also shriek
if they are in pain. A cage mate
may nip another cavy causing
pain which will cause a cavy
to shriek, or a guinea pig
may get an injection at the vets
causing pain.
Baby guinea pigs will usually
shriek if they are afraid or
are unable to see other guinea
pigs. Some babies do not like
to be separated from their
herd and will shriek as they
may feel afraid/insecure.
Video by MrSonance
Chut
“Chh”
Chutting may sound
like a mumble or a
series of low, consistent
wheeks, chuts and
grunts.
Happiness/exploring: A
guinea pig may chut whilst
exploring a new area. It may
seem like they are happily
chatting to themselves.
Video by bosengel
Whinging
“weeeek”
A long, wheek which
starts off softer and
may become louder.
Complaining: A guinea pig
may be annoyed if they
are being petted incorrectly,
they are uncomfortable or have
been disturbed. A guinea pig
will let you know if they are
annoyed by moaning and
whining.
Video by cetd27
Chirping
“tweet”
A sound which closely
resembles a birds
twitter. A quick
succession of chirps.
Unknown: To date there is no
definitive explanation for
why a guinea pig may chirp.
Some cavy owners believe
their guinea pigs are “singing”
or calling the mothership!
Chirping is very rare and many
cavy owners may never witness
their guinea pig making this
wonderful sound.
Many other guinea pigs will
stand still and listen intently to
the guinea pig chirping.
Video by linuteko
