I have two gorgeous little guinea pigs that I have had for a week now. Both are doing really well and seem to like their new cage, the food I give them etc. I pick them up when they are in their tunnel (like the video thread suggested) but I still don't know what all the noises and movements mean. Lavender seems to be happier to be held but I have noticed that she kind of vibrates when I hold her. She doesn't seems to make any noise that I can hear and she sits quite still. Is this her purring in happiness or is a unhappy vibration? She isn't frozen in shock and I think she likes being held. I have looked at the thread that seems to explain behaviours but I couldn't see a description for Lavenders behaviour!
Vibrating Guinea Pig When On My Lap
- Thread starter Rachsan
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7squeakers.
Adult Guinea Pig
I think what you are referring to is a kind of trembling. It is a fear reaction. Don't worry about it. It is quite normal. You've only had your piggies for a week. You will find that they stop trembling after a while when you have been holding them for half an hour or so. If they make a short churr-ing noise at the same time as trembling, this is their danger signal. Again, it is quite normal when everything is new to them. Keep a bit of parsley or chopped carrot close to hand and give them a bit every now and then. They will associate cuddles with food and look on them as a good thing.
Thanks. I don't think my guinea pig seems scared but I will try to have some food on hand to give her to say well done for letting me handle her. I am only holding her for a few minutes at a time just so she gets used to me and I don't stress her out too much. Thanks for your advice!
You may find that this thread here with cuddling tips helpful: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...stincts-and-speak-piggy-body-language.117031/
Here is a link for a page with a decent interpretation of guinea pig sounds; sadly many of the other places often get it wrong! It can be quite difficult at the beginning because many sounds are quite similar and you have to learn to interpret them together with body language and situational context.
http://www.jackiesguineapiggies.com/guineapigsounds.html
Here is a link for a page with a decent interpretation of guinea pig sounds; sadly many of the other places often get it wrong! It can be quite difficult at the beginning because many sounds are quite similar and you have to learn to interpret them together with body language and situational context.
http://www.jackiesguineapiggies.com/guineapigsounds.html
Thanks Wiebke, it was the first link that you have provided that I couldnt find information about Lavender's vibrations. It gave me other information though!The second link is great! It gave me examples of what each sound means. I can now go and listen to their noises knowing what they are saying! 
Shivvery vibrations can mean fear, but a happy piggy can also vibrate, usually together with a intermittent purr-like sound like a cat, so it can be very tricky to know which is which without seeing the piggy body language going with it, to get the general context of a relaxed or frightened piggy.
I have just had a cuddle with both of them and Willow shuffled around for a bit and then let me stroke her for about 10 minutes and Lavender tried to go round my back and then sat very still. Neither of them wanted to eat any parsley so I couldn't tempt them with food. I notice that they nibble my finger when they have had enough which is good. Lavender didn't vibrate this time, maybe because I put a fleece over my legs so they could hide. The body language and noises are still alien to me but hopefully I will get used to them soon. I just hope that they let my children hold them soon!
It's like learning your baby's cries and body language. Over time you get to recognise your individual piggy's noises and movements. I love the Jackies guinea pigs website for the helpful sound recordings. Have fun getting to know your piggies.
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