The sound they make when petting their back

H

Hairy

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I have to guinea pigs (brothers) living together. They are very different than the ones I see on youtube. They don't like to be petted or stroked. I have accustomed them to allow me to rub them behind ears, on their scalp and over their shoulders. They are very aware when I stretch my hand, but otherwise they are friendly, eat from hand and come running and screaming for daily veggies.

What I don't understand is, if I pet/stroke them somewhere they don't accept (lower back for example), they will usually make that "purring" sound I see so much of on youtube when others stroke their piggies. But my piggies make that sound because they are annoyed. I know they are annoyed because they will jump and run away. They are also very tense and hostile if the other pig accidentally touches their backs, resulting in flashing of teeth.

I guess different piggies accept different levels of contact, but they also have different meaning with this purring sound?

Just a quick google search gives many examples:

My piggies can behave similarly as the videos above, making the same sound when stroked, but they are NOT happy about it or enjoying it! As a result, I don't stroke them much on their back.
 
All guinea pig noises have to be taken in the context of what you are doing & their behaviour in response. It takes time & patience to get to know what your piggies are saying to you. 62330613-0FD4-4F7D-8346-9B20FE53C87C.webp
Very few piggies will tolerate being stroked on their backs.
Here’s a chart I love which indicates “no go” areas!
 
Haha ok that's a perfect illustration! The guinea pigs I got are a little more restrictive, but follow the same pattern yeah.
 
My piggies love being stroked on their cheeks so much they push their cheeks onto my finger. They have only just let me give them chin rubs recently after over 2 years.
 
Silk does the same thing but we could never tell if it was a like/dislike thing, in the absence of any other clues. We always thought purring was happy!

In contrast, I've started hearing a low warning rumble from her if she's in a hidey and doesn't want Clover to come in - haven't heard that before.
 
My Bill is a bit strange, he actually likes his underneath, behind his front legs stroked. He will arch his tummy up slightly so he can be stroked there? Ted jumps a mile and if at all possible will give your hand a side kick, definitely a no go area. Otherwise both love head area, and behind the ears.
 
Bill & Ted said:
My Bill is a bit strange, he actually likes his underneath, behind his front legs stroked. He will arch his tummy up slightly so he can be stroked there? Ted jumps a mile and if at all possible will give your hand a side kick, definitely a no go area. Otherwise both love head area, and behind the ears.
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That is strange. Silk would bite me if I did that.
 
All of my pigs have made twittering/whistling noises when happy and the purr has always been, "Stop it!" Many pigs dislike being patted on their lower back and prefer pats behind the ears, under the chin, around the shoulder blades, and on their noses. Hadley also purrs for noises she doesn't like, including people coughing or sneezing, the phone ringing, or someone dialing the phone.
 
My two boys haven't purred so far, but Oreo makes this weirdly cute 'poc poc' sound. I don't have the faintest idea what it means. I've never seen this sound referenced anywhere. Does anyone relate to this?
 
My piggies purr a lot and daily.
When I pet them they stay in one place and let me pet them as long as I want to. They don't run away they just stay in one place to be petted so I know they love to be petted. Usually there is a treat coming before or after petting though, :tu:.

When others try to pet them, they run away and don't let others touch them.
 
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