Guinea pigs squeak for various reasons, but usually, it means that they’re happy or excited! Piggies will make wheeking sounds when they can hear their veggies being prepped or know that you’re about to refresh their hay pile.
In this article, we’ll discuss why guinea pigs squeak in various situations, and the differences between various squeaking sounds.
Why Do My Guinea Pigs Squeak When They See Me?
It’s common for guinea pigs to squeak when they’re anticipating something. This sound is also known as “wheeking.”
If your guinea pigs squeak when you walk into the room, it means they’re excited to see you. Most likely, they’re expecting you to bring food–that’s the number one reason that guinea pigs wheek!
You might also notice that opening the fridge or rustling a plastic bag also causes a commotion.
Why Do Guinea Pigs Squeak When You Rub Their Backs?
Guinea pigs may squeak when you hold them or rub their backs, and this typically means they’re enjoying being petted. However, guinea pigs may also make a squeaking noise when annoyed or in pain.
To learn more about your guinea pig’s behavior, examine their other body language. Are they headbutting your hand, trying to make you stop petting them? Are they lying peacefully in your lap, or even leaning into your hand?
If your guinea pig seems happy, don’t worry too much that they’re disliking lap time. But if they seem annoyed or even distressed, it’s important to respect their boundaries. They might not want to be petted in that area, or at all. It might even be time for them to go back to their cage.
If you think your guinea pig might be in pain, bring them to the veterinarian for a check-up.
Why Do Guinea Pigs Squeak at Night?
Guinea pigs squeaking in the middle of the night can be troublesome–I can definitely relate! In my case, my guinea pig squeaked early in the morning for veggies, because the rest of the family woke up much earlier than me and he could hear them in the kitchen.
This behavior is called wheeking, and it’s similar to a dog begging for food. There isn’t much you can do, in my experience, except block out their noise or give in and get them a snack.
Some guinea pigs make chirping noises at night because they’re afraid. I’ve heard stories of piggies reacting this way to mice in the house, or to other pets approaching their cage. Keeping other animals out of their space will prevent this, and a nightlight can help piggies who are easily spooked.
Why Do My Guinea Pigs Squeak So Much?
Some guinea pigs are more talkative than others. This can be due to upbringing–if they get a treat each time they wheek, they’re going to continue! Usually, though, it comes down to personality.
In my experience, you can’t really make a guinea pig stop wheeking if all of their needs are met and they’re just being chatty. Feeding them or giving them attention may calm them down for a bit, but they’re likely to go back to it when they want something else.
Please remember that while it can be frustrating, they’re just trying to interact with us in one of the only ways they know how. Don’t deprive your guinea pigs of food and attention because they’re wheeking, and never punish them in any way–they won’t understand why you’re upset.
When to See a Vet
Excessive wheeking or other squeaking noises can also indicate a problem. For instance, maybe your guinea pig is hungry. Make sure they have enough food, especially unlimited access to fresh hay.
It’s also important to ensure your guinea pig isn’t bored in their cage. They should have everything they require–including at least 7.5 square feet of space, a cagemate, chew toys, and hides.
Lastly, if your guinea pig is making a squeaking noise that isn’t wheeking, such as chirping or whimpering, they might be in distress. Chirping is a high-pitched, bird-like sound, while whimpering consists of short, repetitive cries (rather than longer wheeks).
Both can be caused by fear but, if you can’t identify what your piggy might be afraid of, you should see a veterinarian. These sounds can also indicate pain.
Learning about guinea pigs and their sounds can help you to better bond with them and build a solid relationship. I hope this article has helped you learn about squeaking in guinea pigs, what’s normal, and when to be concerned.
Remember that while it’s important to look for signs of distress in your piggies, squeaking is generally a happy noise!