Guinea Pigs can communicate in a variety of ways, using over five different noises. They’re known to be very social, and from weeks to chutes and whistles to grunts, each sound has its own meaning. Like other animals, body language can also help a guinea pig get their thoughts across.

One common sound that a guinea pig makes is called “chutting” and is a series of gurgling sounds when they are exploring something new in their enclosure or when they feel content. Guinea pigs use this sound most often since it’s a sound that means they are simply happy, but not extremely excited. Wheeking is when a guinea pig emits a loud series of screams that sound like they’re saying “Wheek! Wheek! Wheek!” This is the sound that means a guinea pig is excited and usually happens when they’re going to get food. Guinea pigs may wheek when they hear a sound that means they could get food, like the fridge opening or even their owners coming into the room.

A behavior that can accompany wheeking is popcorning. The name for this behavior comes from how guinea pigs will jump up into the air to show their excitement, similar to popcorn kernels popping. Guinea pigs may popcorn because they’re being given fresh hay, a new toy, or anything else that could make them excited.

Bubbling can be accompanied by a guinea pig lying down and looking flat and relaxed. Guinea pigs can bubble to other guinea pigs, or when they feel very laid back and peaceful.

Rumbling sounds like a low, repetitive purring sound, and can have different meanings depending on what the guinea pig is doing while rumbling. The first way is where a guinea sways as it walks around with its fur puffed up to make itself look larger. This means the guinea pig is trying to display dominance or find a mate. The second way is when a guinea pig is standing still, sometimes with some white showing in their eyes. A guinea pig may look motionless while rumbling, commonly when something scares them, like a siren or other loud noise.

Speaking of dominance, head raising is also a way that guinea pigs show dominance. Two guinea pigs may try to raise their heads higher to find out who is the dominant one. When a guinea pig is annoyed, they will make a sound similar to a “ts-ts-ts-ts-ts” very quickly. Guinea pigs may chatter their teeth if they feel they’re waiting too long to be fed or don’t like what’s happening around them.

To sum it up, guinea pigs have many ways to express themselves. When they’re happy, they will wheek and popcorn. And when they’re annoyed, they will chatter their teeth. But whether they’re angry or sad, they’ll always be doing it in the cutest way possible!