Cavy noises

[Cavy Tamer]

My male cavy is really shy. I hold him, and he gives me this rather terrified look, and tries to look away from me. He makes this noise, that is rather chirp-esque, but it sounds like a Bird in pain or something.... I don't think he's sick... he is just shy. He stops making the noise when I put something over him (like my hat), and he feels safe and protected. Also, my femaly cavy gets lonely very easily. She is a loud wheeker, and wheeks also when I am holding her. It almost sounds like she is yelling, "I WANT TO GO BACK TO MY CAGE NOW!!". Should I take her back to her cage at that point? (I do, but am wondering if this just gives in to the cavy's wishes and allows her to understand that whenever she cries out, she will get her way...)

So, if anyone has a lot of knowledge on cavy noises and what they mean, that'd help me out a lot. Thanks.

 

[kat_0521]

How long have you had your piggies? Maybe they're still getting used to you.
When you're holding or picking up your GP, it's good to cover them with a blanket (or your hat) to minimize stress. Make sure you pick up supporting their legs and cute lil piggie butt, and hold them close to your chest. It makes them feel more secure. For some reason, all piggies don't like the sensation of being picked up or carried around. I have a "ferret sleeping bag" (similar to a cozy) that I let my pigs go into, then I'll carefully pick that up-supporting the piggie, then go to the couch or my bed and settle down for some lap time.
You can also try having some veggies like romaine, cilantro or a baby carrot with you so the piggie starts associating lap time with something positive.
As far as the noises go, -loud, high pitched wheeking with looking back at the cage or cagemate is fear. It's a "help, please don't hurt me please don't eat me" noise. If your holding them and it's short little wheeks, like warbling and the piggie doesn't seem stressed, then that's normal 'conversation'.

Hope this helped and good luck!

 

[Dutchie]

Yes I covered Coco in a blanket when I first got her back in january.

 

[Cavy Tamer]

How long have you had your piggies? Maybe they're still getting used to you.
When you're holding or picking up your GP, it's good to cover them with a blanket (or your hat) to minimize stress. Make sure you pick up supporting their legs and cute lil piggie butt, and hold them close to your chest. It makes them feel more secure. For some reason, all piggies don't like the sensation of being picked up or carried around. I have a "ferret sleeping bag" (similar to a cozy) that I let my pigs go into, then I'll carefully pick that up-supporting the piggie, then go to the couch or my bed and settle down for some lap time.
You can also try having some veggies like romaine, cilantro or a baby carrot with you so the piggie starts associating lap time with something positive.
As far as the noises go, -loud, high pitched wheeking with looking back at the cage or cagemate is fear. It's a "help, please don't hurt me please don't eat me" noise. If your holding them and it's short little wheeks, like warbling and the piggie doesn't seem stressed, then that's normal 'conversation'.

Hope this helped and good luck!

Well, I have tried the blanket... and they usually act like I am going to suffocate them, and they really struggle to get out of the blanket... I've also tried the veggie thing on lap... They usually eat it as though eating out of nervousness.. especially the male. It almost seems like they're thinking, "if I just do what he wants, he won't hurt me" And yes, they do look back at each other and cry out for each other when I take them out. It's kind of sweet that they've bonded so well... but it makes me feel bad. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I've handled them plenty everyday, and I've had them for a few weeks now. Though I don't think I did anything that would lead them to believe I'm an enemy.... if I did... how could I go about winning back their trust? The thing is, though... they're not completely scared of me. If I put my hand in the cage, they sometimes come up to sniff it. They also don't terribly mind being pet, while in the cage. It seems they just really like their cage, and despise being handled. They can really sense when I'm going to pick them up, too. Did I just get "bad" pigs?

 

[Cavy Tamer]

Do my cavies simply think, deep down, that I am planning to eat them, and am fattening them up with plenty of good food?

 

[dagwellismypigy]

It takes months to tame guinea pigs sometimes. I've had atticus since december and up till sometime last wheek he would squell when I pet him like I was ripping his fur out. Now he does make some noise but generally happier noises but he always tries to be as close to his cage as possible.

It will get better just be patient.

 

[kat_0521]

Cavies are a natural "prey" animal. Their first instinct is that you're going to eat them. Once they realize that you're there to love and care for them, then it gets better. It takes many owners, myself included, weeks or even months before their piggie warms up to them. I dont think you got "bad piggies" at all.
and when you use the blanket remember to keep their nose and mouth open.
If nothing else, try taking them both out at the same time. Give them some floor time with you close by. And hand feed them food or try to pet them every so often. They'll have each other for support and start to learn that you're nothing to be afraid of.

 

[bromers]

i had romers 3 months before he would stop getting scared when i pick him up. yes im so glad he has stopped running away from the giant hands trying to hold him everyday

 

[Cavy Tamer]

i had romers 3 months before he would stop getting scared when i pick him up. yes im so glad he has stopped running away from the giant hands trying to hold him everyday

Interesting...... I guess I didn't realize it would take this long.....

but wait I shall!

even if it kills me...

 

[pennick]

Well, I have tried the blanket... and they usually act like I am going to suffocate them, and they really struggle to get out of the blanket... I've also tried the veggie thing on lap... They usually eat it as though eating out of nervousness.. especially the male. It almost seems like they're thinking, "if I just do what he wants, he won't hurt me" And yes, they do look back at each other and cry out for each other when I take them out. It's kind of sweet that they've bonded so well... but it makes me feel bad. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I've handled them plenty everyday, and I've had them for a few weeks now. Though I don't think I did anything that would lead them to believe I'm an enemy.... if I did... how could I go about winning back their trust? The thing is, though... they're not completely scared of me. If I put my hand in the cage, they sometimes come up to sniff it. They also don't terribly mind being pet, while in the cage. It seems they just really like their cage, and despise being handled. They can really sense when I'm going to pick them up, too. Did I just get "bad" pigs?

I dont think piggies will eat veggies out of nervousness. If they are eating it at lap time maybe they are not as nervous as you think. In the beginning when I gave each piggy lap time the other one left behind in the cage would wheek for its mate. After approx. 6 - 8 weeks that stopped. Most piggies will always despise being caught. Eventually most will enjoy lap time. It took almost 3 months for one of my piggies to enjoy lap time. Be patient and continue with lap time and socializing with your piggies.

 

[Baby Bears]

I have one who is more interested in exploring on his own than being "cuddled." The other will sit in your lap all day. However, if one it taken out and the other is left behind, the one in the cage will make it very well known that this is completely unfair. It took mine a couple of months to get this way. Give them time and they may beg to get out too!

 

[Baubler]

I only have one GP right now, and I've been handling him since the moment I first got him.

I have to tell you, however, that he really puts up a fuss whenever I try and pick him up and we frequently have a scramble or two when I go to get him (whether he's in his cage or having "floor time") - but once I've picked him up, he immediately starts cuddling up to me and making happy sounds. In fact, once I sit down with him and hold him like a baby against my chest, he pushes his head under my chin and curls up in his blanket.

I think you just have to keep trying to build up their trust, maybe.

I don't think any gp likes being picked-up, really, although petting and cuddling is another thing all together.

A couple of ideas:

1.) I read somewhere that when you pick up a gp from an "above" position - as opposed to scooping them up from an underneath position) they think some animal, like a large bird, is grabbing them up for prey, and they get really frightened. Try the scooping technique and see how they respond.

2.) Try taking both gps out together, putting a big towel in your lap, along with some of their favorite treats, and petting them and speaking softly to them. They also might feel more comfortable if you drape part of the towel over them.

3.) I found that holding my gp really close against my chest, while wrapped in a towel or blanket, really relaxes him. Sometimes I rock him a little bit, just a baby, while I walk around the room.

4.) I think it's probably traumatic for you and the gps when they start making unhappy sounds, but if you just continue to console and comfort them, and don't let them know you're uncomfortable - which they definitely can sense- they'll come around eventually and you'll really start to bond.


Let us know how it goes.

 

[Cavy Tamer]

Hey, what does it mean when you hold your cavy and it starts chomping its teeth?

 

[Cavy Tamer]

Also, what does it mean when you're holding them and they let out this rather annoyed sigh....?

 

[kat_0521]

Usually the teeth chomping is another form of conversation. Sounds like very soft chittering with mouth motions, like they're eating, but nothing is in the mouth. Another form is teeth chattering which is louder-means they're pissed off at you or another pig.
And the sigh? I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but it was just a sigh. It was probably getting tired and ready to settle for a nap.
Not every little noise and breath a piggie makes has been interpreted by humans. We (as humans) are working on it, but there's still a lot to learn.

 

[Piglet]

I think the pigs are at their cutes when they make those mouth motions. It's so cute to see their little mouths wiggling away!

 

[Cavy Tamer]

Usually the teeth chomping is another form of conversation. Sounds like very soft chittering with mouth motions, like they're eating, but nothing is in the mouth. Another form is teeth chattering which is louder-means they're pissed off at you or another pig.
And the sigh? I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but it was just a sigh. It was probably getting tired and ready to settle for a nap.
Not every little noise and breath a piggie makes has been interpreted by humans. We (as humans) are working on it, but there's still a lot to learn.

haha. OK. I just wanted to make sure I'm not getting my pigs to despise me...

This isn't really a noise question... but since I'm here.... How to cut a pig's nails? They get TOO nervous, and its virtually impossible...

 

[pennick]

This isn't really a noise question... but since I'm here.... How to cut a pig's nails? They get TOO nervous, and its virtually impossible...

With one of my piggies its a 2 man job. When my daughter comes over I hold my piggie and she cuts. I'm pretty lucky with my other one. I wrap her up with a towel over her head and I clip away as quickly as I can.

 

[Piglet]

Ok, you can try to put the pig onto a tennis racket, then clip from underneath. Last time I cut my pigs nails, I put them on a table and rested their heads in my elbow. I gave them some food and just clipped away. I also had a lamp shining on the nails, so that I could see the quik better

 

[Michelle28303]

Hey everyone,
I have a neutered male and I want to get a female. Do you guys know how much noise they make together at night?