Guinea Pig Whistles And Chirps For The Camera

If you ever ask a small child what kind of pet they would want, they will probably answer something along the lines of “kitty” or “puppy”. Our guess is because this is something they can easily interact with - take them out for walks, or hug and cuddle them all day long. But kids are too young to understand the extent of the care necessary for such a pet and it is also probably why parents rarely decide it is a good idea to get their children a pet like that.

If only folks knew how incredibly easy it is to look after a guinea pig. Sure, they are part of the rodent family and when you say “rodent”, folks automatically think of sewer rats. In reality, they are some of the cleanest little rodents out there. Not to mention how incredibly easy it is for kids to take cleaning after their own pet in their own little hands. And without the parents having to do all those hard yards!

Brenda Green from Rancho Palos Verdes, California has two big dogs of her own, Samson and Sebastian the Newfoundlands. The two big little dogs are best buds with her daughter Sienna. But the big family also has one very tiny, squeaky little member - Ginger the Guinea pig. She is equally as friendly and cuddly as the two black dogs, with one exception. She makes far less of a mess than they do. Oh, and she chirps like a birdie whenever she feels content. See if the dogs can chirp like that!

If you ever considered owning one of these adorable little balls of fluff, you should know that communication is crucial with them, as their sense of vision is far worse than humans’, especially in terms of distance. That is why it is crucial to understand the several types of sounds these animals make, in order to ensure a solid understanding with your pet.

Guinea pigs are known to make a total of seven distinct sounds:

A wheek or a whistle, which is a loud expression of general excitement as a response to the presence of their owner. It is directed exclusively towards humans, as scientists have found that guinea pigs never make that sound in the wild. Domesticated individuals have “learned” to make this sound because they depend on their humans for pellets or treats. They might also when lost and in need of assistance.

A guinea pig may also make a purring sound, like when pet or simply held. They might also make this sound when grooming, investigating for new places or when food is given. When super excited, guinea pigs have been known to do a movement adorably named “popcorning” - they make tiny jumps in the air as if they were kernels! How cute is that?

When scared, they make rumbling sounds, while shaking their bodies. It is a sound normally related to dominance within a group. When they look to warn another individual within a group, they will gnash their teeth together, makes a chattering sound, and raise their heads higher.

Baby guinea pigs have been known to chirp when asking for food, a sound they can make for several minutes at a time. In adults, it is a sign of stress or discomfort.