Why Do Guinea Pigs Squeak?

You definitely won’t find a guinea pig on a list of quiet pets. These furry, cuddly rodents like to express themselves with their voices. This is true whether someone owns one guinea pig or ten. If you sit and observe a guinea pig, you’ll notice that these little animals make a variety of vocalizations. Over time, guinea pig enthusiasts have figured out the meaning behind these sounds. If you own a guinea pig, it’s helpful to know what their vocalizations mean. So why does a guinea pig squeak? Keep reading to find out.

What Does It Mean When a Guinea Pig Squeaks?

Guinea pigs squeak for several reasons. Your guinea pig may squeak because it feels surprised or excited. Guinea pigs also squeak when they want to get your attention. Squeaking is a way to communicate with other guinea pigs as well. A guinea pig squeaks when it is scared or hurt. Because guinea pigs squeak for many reasons, owners need to consider the context when trying to understand what a guinea pig’s squeak means.

Surprise

For instance, a guinea pig may squeak in response to being startled. If you stick your hand in a guinea pig’s cage while your pet is eating or otherwise occupied, it’s likely to let out a squeak. So, it’s always a good idea to talk to it before opening the cage to put your hand inside. Let your pet know you’re there so it is not surprised.

Excitement or Hunger

Another type of squeak is known as a wheek. It earned its name because it sounds similar to the word “week.” A guinea pig may wheek out of excitement or because it is hungry. There is often a lot of wheeking at feeding time or when a treat is placed in the cage. Some guinea pigs wheek when they hear their owner opening a bag or container of food. Over time, these little pets connect certain noises with feeding time. When one guinea pig lets out a wheek, it often triggers a chain reaction, causing the others in the cage to wheek as well.

Attention Seeking

Your guinea pig will also squeak when it wants to get your attention. If they want you to pet them or play with them, your guinea pig will squeak to let you know they want to interact with you. If you only have one guinea pig, it may squeak because it is lonely and wants to be comforted.

Communicating with Other Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs sometimes use squeaking as a way to call each other. For example, if you own two guinea pigs, you may take one out to let it exercise on the floor while leaving the other one in its cage. One guinea pig may begin squeaking to ensure the other one is safe. Guinea pigs are social animals, so they do better when they can exercise, eat, and sleep together.

Fear, Pain, or Distress

A loud, prolonged, high-pitched squeaking sound can also mean a guinea pig has been scared or hurt. If a cat or dog walks by their cage, they may squeak out of fear. When one guinea pig nips another one, the injured guinea pig is going to squeak in pain. If you hear your guinea pig make this sound, observe their body language and assess the situation. If you see other signs that it is in distress, take your guinea pig to the veterinarian.

The Importance of Pitch and Tone in Guinea Pig Squeaks

Pitch and tone play an important role in helping you figure out your guinea pig’s emotions. High-pitched sounds are associated with urgency. High-pitched squeaks indicate they are excited, surprised, hungry, or that they need something from you. Sharp, piercing squeaks typically indicate distress or pain.

Lower-pitched squeaks may sound more like complaining. A longer, more drawn-out sound could indicate a request for attention. It may also mean they are uncomfortable with something that is happening, such as you cleaning the cage or a territorial issue between guinea pigs. It’s important to observe what is happening when the sounds are made so you can determine the context. If the squeaking is persistent and you cannot figure out the cause, take your pet to the veterinarian.