What is Guinea Pig Rumble Strutting?

Written by Kayeleen Parsons
Published: December 2, 2022
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Guinea pigs are renowned for being exceptionally chatty little creatures, where they produce different sounds to convey their sentiments. However, have you ever wondered why your Guinea pig makes a rumbling noise? And what does this noise mean?

These rumbling noises are referred to as a type of sound called rumble strutting. When a guinea pig struts, it makes a loud noise that resembles a combination of a snarl or murmur by taking quick breaths in and out. As the guinea pig rumble struts, its back legs will move from side to side while exhibiting a kind of vibrating action.

Guinea pigs essentially show Rumble Strutting as an indication of predominance or when wanting to mate. A guinea pig may infrequently use this sound when exhausted, eager, frightened, or speaking with other guinea pigs while playing.

Animal, Animal Body Part, Animal Hair, Animal Head, Animal Stage

Rumble Strutting is one of the numerous ways cavies express how they feel, and it is regularly not a reason to worry.

©iStock.com/Tatiana Terekhina

Why Do Guinea Pigs Rumble Strut?

Rumble Strutting is one of the numerous ways cavies express how they feel, and it is regularly not a reason to worry. The explanation for this behavior may not be self-evident for guinea pig owners, as this noise doesn’t generally mean your guinea pig is troubled.

A Sign of Dominance

Present guinea pigs will start making rumbling noises as soon as a new member is added to the enclosure. These rumbling noises signify Dominance over the new cavy. Male cavies will then project this high-pitched sound while contending over who will be the crowd chief.

Even while cavies frequently display this type of regional behavior, if the fighting becomes more intense, they may inflict harm on one another.

It is essential to place your guinea pigs in a larger enclosure if they start acting aggressively toward one another so that each animal has its personal space. Cavies tend to grow hostile and fight when cramped together.

Type of Mating Ritual

A male guinea pig will generally mate with any willing female. However, females can be particular about which male they would like to mate with. If the female isn’t intrigued, she won’t be well disposed to the male, and assuming he moves toward her, she will fold her rear under her. Therefore, when a male guinea pig is around females, he will do his mating dance a considerable amount of the time.

The male mating dance includes venturing this way and that from one back foot to the next, sort of swaying the posterior, as though to dazzle others with his solid hindquarters and likely capacity to kick and scratch with the back feet. If the female becomes interested, intercourse will happen immediately, typically at least a few times.

Excitement

If your guinea pig is restless or excited, the tension in a guinea pig’s body causes the force of air in its lungs to increase, and the pressure in its chest causes will release these rumbling noises. Their enthusiasm may drive your guinea pig to project a loud shrieking sound. Quiet your guinea pig by giving it affection and delicious treats to keep it calm and relaxed.

Stressed out or Bored

If your guinea pig is feeling stressed out or not keeping their minds active, your cavy will become exhausted. An exhausted guinea pig might begin rumble strutting noises while standing by or resting more regularly. Delayed pressure will make a cavy crabbier, making your piggie rumble strutting. Stay away from weariness and stress by giving your guinea pig an invigorating climate and permitting some recess outside the enclosure.

Guinea Pig Diet

Ensure that your

guinea pig has plenty of fresh forage and food pellets to eat

, as this can prevent it from strutting its stuff.

©Tomasz Stepien/Shutterstock.com

Hunger

At whatever point there is not much food available, cavies will start to rumble as this is their way of communicating to alert the other guinea pigs of the problematic situation. However, a guinea pig that isn’t not hungry would feed less because its food is processed more slowly. As a result, gas forms in the stomach. The excess gas causes the cavy to make these noises because it vibrates its digestive system.

Ensure that your guinea pig has plenty of fresh forage and food pellets to eat, as this can prevent it from strutting its stuff. Your guinea pig should continuously consume feed, with food pellets and fresh veggies making up the bulk of its diet. You can also feed your cavy special treats, but only in moderation to prevent your pet from gaining weight.

Fear

This approach is a guinea pig’s typical form of defense. It involves shaking its head violently when feeling threatened. The guinea pig will then strut, rumble, and shake its head back and forth to put its fears at ease. Guinea pigs are predatory animals in the wild, and when they can’t tuck away, they may use strutting as a form of protection.

If your guinea pig is unusually quiet and not wanting to communicate, it is vital to find out more to determine whether your pet needs assistance. To lessen your pet’s anxiety, place your cavy’s enclosure in a calm area of your house to distance them from any unexpected noises or activities.

Communication

In response to another cavy, your guinea pig can strut and rumble because Guinea pigs have incredibly strong hearing and can detect low-recurrence sounds. As a result, your cavy can try to mimic any sounds it hears close to the enclosure.

Playing and Exercising

Your guinea pig may develop a rumble strut from playing or exercising. While playing, cavies like to tussle with one another, usually generating these rumbling noises. Therefore, keeping an eye on your guinea pigs at whatever point they play is essential to guarantee they don’t overdo it and inadvertently harm one another.

Oldest Guinea Pig

To calm your guinea pig down for a short while, gently brush its ears and neck or place it somewhere serene.

©Daniel Requena Lambert/Shutterstock.com

How to Prevent Your Guinea Pig from Rumble Strutting?

There is no way to stop your guinea pig from strutting its stuff; this is especially true if your pet is doing it as part of the mating culture. Although this method isn’t inherently dangerous for your cavy, it could indicate that your pet is anxious, excited, hungry, or restless. To calm your guinea pig down for a short while, gently brush its ears and neck or place it somewhere serene.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Galyna0404


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About the Author

Kayeleen Parsons is a writer at A-Z Animals that thoroughly enjoys writing about animals of all types. She has a love for many animals, but her Cocker Spaniel dog holds a special place in her heart. In addition to being a writer, she's also an English teacher, sharing her knowledge to help her students become excellent in the language and literature. When she's not busy writing, Kayeleen enjoys reading and spending quality time with her family in her homeland of Cape Town.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What does rumble strutting mean in guinea pigs?

Guinea pigs essentially show Rumble Strutting as an indication of predominance or when wanting to mate.

Why doe guinea pigs rumble strut?

Rumble Strutting is one of the numerous ways cavies express how they feel.

Can rumble strutting be prevented?

There is no method for preventing your guinea pig from rumble strutting, as this is how they communicate.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. oxbow animal health, Available here: https://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/blog/guinea-pig-sounds-and-their-meanings/
  2. rodent fact, Available here: https://rodentsfact.com/guinea-pig-rumble-strutting-female/
  3. its animal, Available here: https://www.itsanimal.com/guinea-pig-rumble-strutting-meanings-and-reasons-explained/