Many piggy parents have asked me numerous times why their guinea pigs do certain things, and sometimes it can be tricky because all piggies are different. Not only that, but you as a piggy parent, truly knows their own fur baby. However there are some guinea pig gestures that guinea pigs will express to you or their cage mates that do have similar meanings. Maybe this entry can help you discover and know your piggy even better.
Yesterday, as I was filming our recent vlog I was calling out to Tofu and Dumpling. Every so often, when Dumpling is in close proximity of Tofu, Tofu will make a deep rumbling sound. When she makes this sound she is expressing that she is annoyed by Dumpling and wants some space. Sometimes if Dumpling doesn’t respond to that sound, she will slightly raise her head high almost as if she wants to head butt Dumpling. When Tofu displays this sort of gesture, Dumpling usually wanders off away from Tofu. It doesn’t happen too often, but it happens!
When guinea pigs raise their head, it is often a sign of dominance. Sometimes when guinea pigs express dominance, it will be because of change in environment, cage mates, or difference of personality. In this case, Tofu and Dumpling just have completely different personalities. Tofu is very bold and testy, while Dumpling is timid and curious. Sometimes it feels as though they even themselves out as a dynamic, especially when they free roam around the house
When I had my guinea pig Peanut, she used to be the leader of the trio. Ever since Peanut passed away, Tofu seems to have been a lot more direct with how she interacts with Dumpling. Dumpling and Tofu have an interesting dynamic, although they bond in their own way, Tofu still makes it clear that she is the boss amongst them two.
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I have two boys and by the sound of it your girls are much better behaved than mine! Mine grumble and put their heads up, they stomp from side to side swinging their hips to look like big scary guinea pigs (which is really cute from tiny balls of fluff!) and they chase each other, all of this happens four to five times a day, if it isn’t settled then Oreo, who is small but mighty as well as black, white, grey and rosetted, dominates Piggle, who is bigger and your typical guinea pig shape and colours of ginger, brown and white, Oreo gets on Piggles head and jiggles, sometimes eight times in a row! Afterwards you would think Piggle would be subdued but the moment Oreo turns his back Piggle gives him a sharp boop on the behind making Oreo jump in the air! They are just like argumentative siblings! They have plenty of space and things to keep them entertained but they still squabble. They never fight though, also when scared they snuggle together for comfort.
**Please excuse the last comment, it was accidentally posted twice.
@Louise Haha, that does sound like a funny couple! Chelsea has a lot of confidence to stand on your food until she gets her food!
@carole Haha, Hudson sounds like a character! Yes, piggies are very creative when it comes to finding ways to get treats! It’s interesting to see how each one reacts to different stimuli.
@Lynn Yes, they can definitely be complicated little critters! Piggies do best in groups because they are herd animals, but if you see that they are becoming very violent with each other (also make sure to consult with a vet), then it may be time to separate them. Daily rumbles is normal piggy behavior.