I'm SO new at this..

[kaitlin1494]

So I'm new to guinea owning and to this website as well.. I'm not even sure if I'm posting this in the right spot. Rather frustrating.. Anyway, I have some questions about my little Rosalina and the plethera of sounds she has been making.

I read that they're "purr" means good, but is that always the case? Can they purr when they're mad or scared or even stressed?
She also makes a lot of quiet squeaking noises, not like shes in pain or anything, just kind of like she's talking to me. She does this all the time, but I only notice it when I'm holding her. She just squeaks squeaks squeaks and then she'll have a purr in between when I pet her.

Im just trying to get some clarification on these noises and habbits. I have many more questions as well, seeing as we've only had her for about a week.

She is actually my sisters guinea pig that she got for christmas.. My sister is 7, so I'm the one usually holding her and changing her food. The funny thing is, my sister didnt ask for a guinea pig.. she asked for a Zhu Zhu pet. Pretty much a glorified cat toy. But my aunt breeds dogs and other small animals.. (dont jump down my throat, please) and my grandma thought it would be a good idea to get a real live animal, instead of the $8 Zhu Zhu pet.. now were stuck with little Rosalina, but I love her all the while. Why do they have to be so freakin cute?

[MissMonkey]

If I understand correctly, the noise you are reffering to is called rumbling. They do this when they do like something. Congratulations on your new piggy!

[kaitlin1494]

Well I looked up the different noises they make, and even heard recordings of them.. and I'm pretty sure its a purr, the rumble is a little lower from what I understand. But I couldnt find a recording or definition of the little squeaks she was making, but I think its just her way of talking to me thanks for the input!

[snickers]

If I understand correctly, the noise you are reffering to is called rumbling. They do this when they do like something.

Actually Pigs do not rumble when they like something. Rumbling is an act the pigs do when they are showing dominance, or females do this when they are in heat. It is completely different than purring. When they are rumbling it is a deeper noise than purring and the pigs will actually move there hips/butt side to side infront of the other pigs face.

Pigs do purr when they are enjoying being petted/ enjoy something. It is short and can happen quickly. Rumbling is longer than purring.

[distancel]

My piggie Avril makes the ongoing squeaking 'talking' sound too when she is being held. I've often wondered exactly what it means, my other piggie Buffy does it sometimes but not as much.

Congratulations on your new piggie, was your sister happy to get a real guinea pig? saw those Zhu Zhu toys in the shop yesterday, they are funny little things. I'm not trying to be mean to your grandma, but I find it kind of wrong to give a 7 year old a pet as a present especially when what she wanted was a TOY. This is not your fault of course it just makes me a little sad, but I'm sure you are going to care for Rosalina very well.

Anyway you will find heaps on information on here, be sure to have a look at the threads about diet and nutrition. And maybe you could adopt a friend for Rosalina in the future. Good luck on making the c&c cage if you haven't yet, she will love it!

[kaitlin1494]

Thanks guys
Yea, like I said, I knew it was purring, but I was thrown off by those squeaking noises!
And, I know, an eight dollar zhu zhu pet vs. ongoing guinea expenses. And we've already put in a ton of time, money, and effort into gettting her out of a petstore cage and into her very own C&C cage! And every pet we've had, taken in, adopted, or whatever, has been a family decision! And out of the blue grandma is like "Oh I got her a guinea pig! She'll love it!" Ya, thanks grandma! Haha, but we all love Rosalina, but we're just a little peeved at gma.
Also, we bought a second set of grids last night to make the stand for the cage, and we got it half way up last night! We plan on finishing the cage construction today/tomorrow, and hope to get some fleece tomorrow, and coroplast in the upcoming week!
We bought a shower soap holder, one that sticks to the wall- we removed the suction cups and now we have an awesome hay rack!
And we bought a "under shelf rack" thing, one that just hooks onto a rack and hangs for extra storage- and were going to hang that from the top of the cage and so Rosalina can have like a sleep area!
We bought all these at Target

[MissMonkey]

Actually Pigs do not rumble when they like something. Rumbling is an act the pigs do when they are showing dominance, or females do this when they are in heat. It is completely different than purring. When they are rumbling it is a deeper noise than purring and the pigs will actually move there hips/butt side to side infront of the other pigs face.

Pigs do purr when they are enjoying being petted/ enjoy something. It is short and can happen quickly. Rumbling is longer than purring.

Sorry, I meant when the do NOT like something, but I was wrong anyway.

[Sugar&Ellie]

I've sort of watched how my guinea pigs interact in different situations.

Low Whiney 'chatter' - I'm uncomfortable I want to go back into my cage and/or I have to pee. Sugar and Ellie generally make this whiney sound when they're out for lap time or out for free range. They start to make this noise when they've been out for an hour or two and they've become uncomfortable in some way. Once I put them back in their cage I notice an increase in activity and purring. This is why I think they're trying to tell me they're uncomfortable.

Purring - Usually happens when they're being scratched or stroked but does happen when they're playing follow the leader alone in their cage, I think this is because one or both are in heat. When they're in their cages and doing the purr, it's actually Rumbling because it lasts much longer than a purr and they're usually following each other/mounting/anal swiping.

Teeth Chattering - doesnt happen often but has happened during introductions. Is a sign of 'get away from me, I'm warning you' this means they're scared or threatened and are issuing a warning. You may not notice this activity until you add anothing guinea pig (which i suggest you do, but not until you're confident with the piggy you have).

High 'WHEET' - When they're very excited, are calling for each other, being hurt or calling for food. my girls do this when they're hungry and want to wake me up or have heard me come home and are calling for me in general. You'll know what yours is asking for when she does this. If you're feeding her or getting ready to feed her she'll get used to the noises being made that lead up to being fed. If you're coming into the room she'll either hear your voice or see you. And if you accidently hurt her it'll be a short, swift OUCH. And you should know that you just hurt her.

Those are the sounds that are most common. If you notice her whining and not moving. This is a sign of distress and she should be taken to a vet.