Is This A Happy Noise?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hayley

Hayley

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jan 18, 2014
Messages
38
Reaction score
25
Points
185
Location
Pinner, Middlesex, UK
Hi everyone!

I have a question about a particular noise that one of my piggies makes during lap time. When I get him out, I keep him snuggled up in a blanket to help him feel secure. He is usually quiet at first, then he starts making a 'chirping' sound that doesn't sound as loud as wheeking, but is quite high pitched. He seems to get louder when I stroke him & give him a tickle behind his ears. He doesn't tend to wriggle about too much & keeps pretty still until he decides he wants to go back to join my other piggy in the run! Is this a good sign, or should I be worried that he's unhappy if he's making this noise? I've tried looking up piggy noises on the internet, but none of them sound like this!

Any advice would be appreciated!

Many thanks,

Hayley x
 
Both my boys make those "chirping" sounds when they are being stroked at lap time, one much louder than the other. In fact after being hand fed some parsley, my Peanut Butter actually lays flat out on the sofa beside me telling me it's time for back stroking. I have never been able to find the exact same sound on the internet either, so I go by body language that accompanies the sound. When they are "chirping" with their back legs stretched out & not moving while I stroke their backs I feel they like it. When I rub behind the ears I feel they don't like it because they both make a deep rumble instead of chirp sound, one butts my finger with his head & the other just gets up & walks further down the sofa. I think your boy likes your stroking & ear tickling!
 
Hi Lilly, thank you so much for your response! I really hope this is a sign that he is enjoying the lap time, as I adore having cuddles with him and want to make sure I'm not being selfish if he doesn't like what I'm doing! I just thought it was more likely that he would purr if he was enjoying himself, as this seems to be what all the guidance suggests. However, the fact that he's not trying to escape from my lap should mean he's comfortable, right?! I've only had my piggies for about a month now, so maybe I'll see some more purring over time! Thanks again for your help & much love to your lovely piggies, Hayley x
 
Yes, I keep hearing about the purring but don't really know what it sounds like. I suspect it is not the same sound as a cat purring. I think my boys' "chirping" is their way of purring. If they don't like where I am touching them they make a deep rumbling sound instead & try to move away. Even though you've only had them for a month, some piggies take to stroking straight away. My Hazelnut, whom I got at 11 weeks, took to having his back stroked immediately & would lay as flat as a pancake in my lap for it. Peanut Butter, on the other hand, whom I got at 4 weeks, took months before he allowed it. At 2 and a half years old now, he is the piggy who lays flat out after lap time parsley waiting to have his back stroked!
 
Hi Lilly, thanks again for your reply! I think that if my boys were unhappy, they wouldn't hesitate to show their displeasure, so I reckon I'm safe in the knowledge that this sound is their way of purring, just like your boys! I know they're still babies and will take time to settle down, so I hope that they'll enjoy stroking as much as your lovely boys do over time. By the way, I couldn't help noticing the cosies that your piggies are snuggled up in on your profile photo - if you don't mind me asking, where did you get them from? They look like a perfect size for my piggies, so if you could let me know where I could purchase them, I'd eternally grateful! Thanks for your help & give your piggies a big stroke from me! ;-) x
 
Hiya, that's excellent, thank you! I'll take a look and see how much they are, I think my piggies will love them! Thanks again for your advice, take care, Hayley xx
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top