Polski
Guinea Pig Language – Sounds, Behavior & Signals Explained
Guinea pigs "talk" all day long: with squeaks, hums, and body language. Knowing what you see and hear can help you quickly assess whether your guinea pigs are comfortable or whether you need to make changes to their habitat, routine, or decor. This page will help you with familiar situations from everyday life.
1) Basics: Context is everything
One sound never tells the whole story. Always pay attention to: posture , location , time , and what just happened . Is it around feeding time? Then "calling" is often enthusiastic. Is it during mating? Then the same sound could be part of a hierarchy.
2) Common sounds (recognizable in the home)
- Loud squeaking/calling (“wheek”): often with food, routine or attention.
- Soft bubbling/contented sound: often associated with rest, feeling safe, or eating.
- Deep growling + parade step: often hierarchy or impression behaviour, especially when pairing up.
- Teeth chattering: a clear "keep your distance" message; give space and observe what happens in the group.
- A sharp scream: This could be fright or pain; immediately observe what's happening and check the animal.
3) Body language: you often see this
- Freeze: The guinea pig feels tension and freezes for a moment. Give it space.
- Blasting away: startle reaction. Stay calm and move predictably.
- Chasing: This can be a ranking issue, especially with new combinations. Watch for a drop.
- Constant hiding: could mean there aren't enough safe places or the group is restless.
4) Peace in the group: this is how you help with the layout
Many “stress sounds” are not solved by paying more attention, but by creating a better environment:
- More hiding places: preferably one extra on top of the number of guinea pigs.
- Multiple feeding stations: double mangers and bowls for a duo or group.
- Foraging: Spreading out food and letting them search for it keeps guinea pigs busy and relaxed.
Useful: houses , tunnels , playing & foraging , hay racks .
- Listen and look: attitude + situation.
- In case of teeth chattering: give space, check clamping points and group dynamics.
- If there is a lot of hiding, add hiding places and create walking routes.
- In case of unrest: offer double the amount of food/water/hay.
- If there is a sharp scream for no apparent reason: check the animal and its surroundings.
Why do they squeak as soon as I walk into the kitchen?
Many guinea pigs associate sounds and routines with food. This "calling" is often an expression of enthusiasm.
Is growling always aggression?
No. It could be a hierarchy or impression behavior, especially when pairing up. Pay attention to whether it subsides and whether everyone can eat.
What do I do about teeth chattering?
Take some distance, observe the situation and ensure there is enough space, hiding places and multiple feeding areas.
Read more: Guinea pig information . Background information: LICG .
Are you having trouble with behavior or sounds? Then check out our service page .
