happy or sad piggy noises?

[sianylou87]

Hi,
I am quite new to all this but have a quick question about my 2 male piggies. They're are both about 4 months old and we have had them for 1 whole week They seem to be sorting out the dominance issues without any aggression so far so fingers crossed! However, one of the them (Guss) is quite shy compared with Tommy and whenever I hold him he seems to sit very still, I am not sure if he is enjoying being sat on my lap or not? also some times he makes a sound very similiar (if not the same) as his rumble when i stroke him. But he doesnt run away, and he seems happy to stay sat in the same place (as he used to try run and hide the whole time).

I am very happy with their happiness the rest of the time... as I type they are charging round like lunatics eating their morning hay! But I just want a bit of advice on how to help my piggy guss relax a bit. I have tried the towel trick too... and he was the same in that.... so is he happy to sit still or scared into a statue?

Thanks loads
Sian

 

[Lady Kelly]

my Bea is very much like that and I think she's just happy, she kind of purrs when you sit stroking her and only starts fidgetting when she needs a wee. As guinea pigs are natures prey I would assume if he was scared he would be trying to run away and hide

 

[flintstones]

A week isn't a huge amount of time, these little animals are 'prey' animals so not the most trusting. There only defence is fight (freeze) or flight. Some people say Guinea Pigs purr I personally don't believe this is the case. Anytime my pigs make the noise you describe is when I am annoying them (ie stroking there fur the wrong way). It indicates to me they aren't keen.

A good indication that a pig is settled in, is when they will happily explore there surroundings despite being on your lap. I would suggest offering there favourite veggies when they are on your lap, so they associate you to 'nice' veggies.

If you have a little Cosy, you could take them out in that. I noticed with my Fred whenever he used to come out he was much happier hiding under something.

Most importantly don't rush them, they will come round in there own time. xx>>>

 

[Mr Audrey & Mr Marilyn]

I had two 4 month old guinea pigs at new year, and whilst one of them very quickly became used to being handled and didn't display signs of fear whilst getting laptime (just sat happily munching on what ever veggies I was bribing him with!), my other pig, Audrey, did display signs of anxiety through the slightly skittish noises he was making and his body language. I've been patient and calm with some gentle stroking, giving him a towel to hide in, not forcing him to have lap time if he seems to be particularly anxious, and now, a few weeks later he is appearing to be enjoying laptime, and is getting the confidence to have a good nose around outside of the towel - at first he was even reluctant to eat on my lap, and now he's got absolutley no problem with that!

It depends exactly what the noise is, I believe I've heard what seems to be purring when they are happy, but I believe that the little spurts of rumbling accompanied by a little vibration (rather than a longer rumblestrut noise) are actually signs of discontent - my guineas do it when my OH starts singing! I've occassionally had this during laptime, and I tend to give them a minute and start stroking again slowly - if it persists I generally don't keep them out too long - they're obviously a bit grumpy!

I think patience is key, It can take time, but it's definately worth it!

 

[sianylou87]

Thanks loads for all the advice. I have loved every second of their company so far, I suppose it just takes time to learn their little quirky ways. Already my two piggies personalities are so so different. But i think I am making positive steps as they both take treats out of my hamds and are happy to have a good explore, I just wasnt sure about the noise, but I think its probably more of a fed up noise as sometimes he doesnt do it and he seems quite content so I just need to listen carefully!

I willl keep you all posted if I have any sudden revelations!

thanks again,
sian