Growling?

[Craigf]

Hi all,

We've had our two little piggies for about a week now and one has started growling (Steve). Either at a bit of noise or at the other piggie (Alan). It mostly seems to be if Alan runs into the bed where Steve is already laying. If Steve growls as Alan runs in then Alan tends to either stay at the entrance of move back out. Although at other points we still catch them in bed next to each other and there hasn't been any fighting. It seems to be like they both want to be dominant but Steve is slowly starting to be top piggie.

Is this anything to worry about or is it normal? I've read the other threads but not seen much on 'growling'.

Thanks

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Hi all,

We've had our two little piggies for about a week now and one has started growling (Steve). Either at a bit of noise or at the other piggie (Alan). It mostly seems to be if Alan runs into the bed where Steve is already laying. If Steve growls as Alan runs in then Alan tends to either stay at the entrance of move back out. Although at other points we still catch them in bed next to each other and there hasn't been any fighting. It seems to be like they both want to be dominant but Steve is slowly starting to be top piggie.

Is this anything to worry about or is it normal? I've read the other threads but not seen much on 'growling'.

Thanks

Piggies don't really growl, did it sound like a low rumble sound? It's likely two types of noise, a long rumbling sound to his cage mate (often with a bum wiggle!) for dominance and a short rumble for loud noises (or sometimes at his cage mate) which is a general sound of displeasure. 2 of my lot make that noise when keys rattle

What size enclosure do you have? Sometimes it can be brought on a bit more if they're in a smaller space.

It's not a noise that is fighting talk though

 

[Craigf]

Piggies don't really growl, did it sound like a low rumble sound? It's likely two types of noise, a long rumbling sound to his cage mate (often with a bum wiggle!) for dominance and a short rumble for loud noises (or sometimes at his cage mate) which is a general sound of displeasure. 2 of my lot make that noise when keys rattle

What size enclosure do you have? Sometimes it can be brought on a bit more if they're in a smaller space.

It's not a noise that is fighting talk though

Yeah that's probably what it is. The enclosure it 120 x 60 as it was largest right now although they are only 3-4 months old at the moment. I can provide a picture if that'll help?

I'm just wondering why it seems to spook the other piggie a bit and makes him weary to go into the bed. Should I be worried at all?

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Yeah that's probably what it is. The enclosure it 120 x 60 as it was largest right now although they are only 3-4 months old at the moment. I can provide a picture if that'll help?

I'm just wondering why it seems to spook the other piggie a bit and makes him weary to go into the bed. Should I be worried at all?

A picture would definitely help! Have you only got one hide area?

It's likely that the boss piggy is saying "this is my house, go away" and your other piggy is probably quite sad about it

One of my pigs Bella will NEVER let a pig into her house while she's sleeping, she's a grump

 

[Craigf]

Current cage is below. Just went in to find them both together until Alan ran out as you can see in the picture! We've only had them a week so they are potentially still sorting out dominance issues. Not sure how long they were together before that.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

We've had our two little piggies for about a week now and one has started growling (Steve). Either at a bit of noise or at the other piggie (Alan). It mostly seems to be if Alan runs into the bed where Steve is already laying. If Steve growls as Alan runs in then Alan tends to either stay at the entrance of move back out. Although at other points we still catch them in bed next to each other and there hasn't been any fighting. It seems to be like they both want to be dominant but Steve is slowly starting to be top piggie.

Is this anything to worry about or is it normal? I've read the other threads but not seen much on 'growling'.

Thanks

I think what you call growling is what we call rumblestrutting. It is mild dominance behaviour practiced by both genders, but typical for boars. The rumbling is accompanied by shifting the weight from one back foot to the other, which leads to some kind of bum wiggling in more pronounced cases. Boars measure their standing and strength against each other by rumblestrutting.

 

[Craigf]

I think what you call growling is what we call rumblestrutting. It is mild dominance behaviour practiced by both genders, but typical for boars. The rumbling is accompanied by shifting the weight from one back foot to the other, which leads to some kind of bum wiggling in more pronounced cases. Boars measure their standing and strength against each other by rumblestrutting.

Yeah he's done the bum wiggle rumble a few times but quite often he just rumbles without. It may just be he doesn't like Alan running into the bed where he is so gives a little rumble. Apart from that they both like to mount each other so they are potentially still sorting out the dominance. We've not witnessed any standoffs or fights so far so fingers crossed!

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Current cage is below. Just went in to find them both together until Alan ran out as you can see in the picture! We've only had them a week so they are potentially still sorting out dominance issues. Not sure how long they were together before that.

Caught in the act of cuddles!

I'm sure you have nothing to worry about then, just boys being boys! He looks like a cutie pie too!

 

[Wiebke]

Yeah he's done the bum wiggle rumble a few times but quite often he just rumbles without. It may just be he doesn't like Alan running into the bed where he is so gives a little rumble. Apart from that they both like to mount each other so they are potentially still sorting out the dominance. We've not witnessed any standoffs or fights so far so fingers crossed!

A sharp, low rumble is a sign of displeasure.

They all sound very similar to us, but have different meanings. It is difficult to put up a definite guide as you always need to take situational context and body language into account, too.
Here is a fairly correct sound bites guide; many of the ones making the rounds online are anything but: Guinea Pig Sounds

 

[Craigf]

This morning I witnessed one of the low rumbling with a bum wiggle, the other responded by lying low to the floor and putting his head other the others.

A few minutes later the other was bum strutting around so it seems they both still want to be dominant.

 

[SunshinePiggy]

Depending on their age they may be going through puberty also. Another thing if you aren't using the current loft maybe a bit of extra space would help them possibly. I hope your piggy's sort out their Dominance Issues Good Luck!