Mixed Signals

[Bliss]

Hi there,
I've recently got a new guinea pig and have been handling him since the second day as he had a respiratory infection when I got him. He seemed to really enjoy being stroked and cuddled....or so I thought. He's become more confident now and has started bweeping a little when excited. But he's also started constantly making little soft squeaky noises when I'm stroking him. I've read up and listened to so many clips trying to distinguish whether these are happy content squeaks or if he's whining at me. Trouble is, is his body language is telling me he likes it. He stretches out and yawns on my lap and will quite happily sit there while I stroke him. He even licked me the other day. I'm really worried I'm not getting the message that he wants me to though because last couple of mornings he's chattered his teeth a little while still laying stretched out on my lap making squeaky noises. I did have to get him out from his bed to give him his medications so don't know if that had anything to do with it. I really want to understand my piggy so any advice or experience would me greatly appreciated. I'm so confused!

Becky

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

The fact that he is talking to you is a very good sign. He is now telling you what he likes or not and when he's had enough of something or wants to go home. You can work out a kind of "trade language" with him by trial and error.
Make sure that you also create sounds/expressions for joy or disappointment that he can learn to understand.

 

[Bliss]

Hi, thank you for your reply.

I'm just trying to work out whether they are happy squeaks or squeaks telling me he doesn't like it. It's very confusing. I've read some other people have had this problem and that it really depends on the guinea pig. Some chatter their teeth as a warning, other do it when they're enjoying something. Is there any way to tell? Does the fact he stretches out on my lap and doesn't try to run away mean he's happy? Or is he just a guinea pig that doesn't struggle?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, thank you for your reply.

I'm just trying to work out whether they are happy squeaks or squeaks telling me he doesn't like it. It's very confusing. I've read some other people have had this problem and that it really depends on the guinea pig. Some chatter their teeth as a warning, other do it when they're enjoying something. Is there any way to tell? Does the fact he stretches out on my lap and doesn't try to run away mean he's happy? Or is he just a guinea pig that doesn't struggle?

Teeth chattering is always a sign that a piggy is not happy with something (that can include impatience when waiting for food).

There is no definite guide to squeaking and rumbling because they have to be seen in context with body language and the actual situation. As a guide, the softer any squealing is the, the more relaxed a piggy is, the higher in volume and pitch the more nervous and upset.

 

[Bliss]

OK thank you, it sounds like that my piggy may not be happy when I'm stroking him then. I've had guinea pigs before but none of them have ever done this. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.

 

[Wiebke]

OK thank you, it sounds like that my piggy may not be happy when I'm stroking him then. I've had guinea pigs before but none of them have ever done this. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.

You are not doing anything wrong. Many piggies don't actually enjoy being cuddled. At some stage into your journey of building up trust, they start trusting you enough to tell you what they like and don't like. that is when we get all these threads from new owners on the theme "why does my piggy suddenly hate me?". Of course, it doesn't suddenly hate, it has just decided to trust you more and taken your relationship to the next level.

You may find this thread here helpful in understanding what is going on: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...stincts-and-speak-piggy-body-language.117031/

PS: We have got lots more information at the top of our various CAre guides which you may find interesting.

It would also help us a lot if you please added your country, state or (for the UK) your county, so we can tailor any advice to what is available or possible where you are in terms of brands, access to vets/rescues, climate and general attitudes to pet keeping etc. as we have members from all over he world. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location.

 

[Bliss]

OK I've added my location now, thank you for your help.