Guinea pigs are sometimes noisy creatures, depending on the personality of an individual. Some guinea pigs are very noisy and some are quiet. However, if you have a noisy guinea pig and suddenly it turns out quite the next day, it might confuse you. So, do guinea pigs have quiet days? Here is the answer!
Do guinea pigs have quiet days? Yes! Guinea pigs have quiet days! They are moody just like us humans. Guinea pigs can be grumpy and will not allow you to touch them. There are many reasons why guinea pigs are quiet. Sometimes they are quiet because they feel ill and sometimes because they just don’t feel like playing with you.
There are many reasons why your guinea pig is quiet. Some are not usual and some are innate. If your guinea pig is quiet because it feels ill, the best approach is to bring your guinea pig to the vet for a proper checkup. But if it seems they are quiet because they just don’t feel like playing or interacting with you, it is fine.
However, you don’t have to be confused if your noisy guinea pig suddenly becomes quiet because today, I will tell you different reasons why your guinea pig is quiet. You should check these reasons on your guinea pig so that you can execute a proper approach if needed. If you are ready, let us move on!
What Are The Reasons Why Guinea Pigs Are Quiet?
Below are the different reasons why guinea pigs are quiet. Let us check them out!
Injury Or Sickness
The first reason why your guinea pig is quiet is that it has injuries or sickness.
All injuries and illnesses prevent your guinea pig from making noise. That is why you have to make sure to bring your guinea pig to the vet if they are displaying behavioral changes. Lymphadenitis and vocal cord damage are the two usual reasons why your guinea pig is quiet.
Lymph nodes are part of the immune system of your guinea pigs. They filter pathogens and disease out of the blood. It is located in the head, neck, and throughout the rest of the body. When lymph gets infected, the immune system of your guinea pig is in danger. If the infection hits the neck, it could affect the throat of your guinea pig.
The infection in the lymph nodes can be hard to detect. However, there are few signs you can look out for. If you see one of these signs, bring your guinea pig immediately to the vet!
The signs are:
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Tilting head
- Internal organ inflammation
- Difficulty breathing
- Urine is bloody
- Skin becomes pale
The cause of lymphadenitis is bacteria. That bacteria can come from different places. It can come from food, dirty cage, or overgrown teeth and being unable to close their mouth fully. Also, if you have multiple guinea pigs and one has lymphadenitis, it can spread.
The best treatment for lymphadenitis is antibiotics. Make sure that you bring your guinea pig to the vet first to make sure that it is lymphadenitis. Don’t buy medicines immediately! Bring your guinea pig to the vet first!
Vocal Cord Damage
The next reason why your guinea pig is quiet is that your guinea pig has vocal cord damage. Yes! This could be from lymphadenitis too, but it can also be from injury to your guinea pig’s throat.
Vocal cord damage makes your guinea pig’s sound strained, and worse, stop. There is no cure when it comes to vocal cord damage. It is best to remove their vocal cord if it seems to be causing pain to your guinea pig.
Food Boredom
If your guinea pig seems to squeal when you give it food and suddenly becomes quiet in the next couple of days when you give it food, it means that your guinea pig is tired of the same food you give.
Your guinea pig will squeal very loud if you give it food. This is a sign of excitement! However, if your guinea pig stops squealing every time you give it food, they find the food boring! You must try another food!
The best way to help your guinea pig stay excited about their food is to offer them different varieties. You can change the kind of hay or pellets you give to your guinea pig.
You might also want to give your guinea pig some fruits or veggies. Almost all pet stores sell treats for guinea pigs. You can try giving your guinea pig treats too!
Shy
The next reason why your guinea pig is quiet is that it is shy. This is normal, especially for guinea pigs that are new to the house. Sometimes, even if a guinea pig is already in the house for a year, it can still be quiet because being quiet is in their repertoire.
If your guinea pig is new to the house, give it time to become comfortable. Don’t force your guinea pig to squeal or make noise because forcing your guinea may stress your guinea pig. Be patient! But if your guinea pig has a quiet personality, there is nothing you can do about it since it is innate.
Satisfied Already
The next reason why your guinea pig is quiet is that it is already satisfied. If your guinea pig is eating at the right time and has water always, it will never make noise.
Usually, guinea pigs will make noise if they are hungry, thirsty, or their cage is messed up. They make sounds to tell you what they need. But if all are good, your guinea pig doesn’t have to waste their voice to reach out to you.
Remember, guinea pigs eat and drink a lot! You have to make sure that they have enough hay and water for the day. Never forget to check the food and water bowl of your guinea pig because it can make loud noises if you forget it.
Stressed
The next reason why your guinea pig is quiet is that it is stressed. If you always have loud noises inside your houses, such as the sound of the television or radio, your guinea pig may get stressed. There are many reasons why guinea pigs are stressed. Whatever the reason, it will a hundred percent make your guinea pig quiet!
Scared
The next reason why your guinea pig is quiet is that it is scared. Guinea pigs can get scared of lots of things! This usually happens when it is the first time your guinea pig comes to their cage or your house. Like I have said above, guinea pigs that are new to your house will be quiet because they are scared. You have to be patient with your new guinea pig!
Aside from that, guinea pigs can also be scared of loud noises, new guinea pigs, and other pets in your house. You have to make sure that your guinea pig is not scared all the time because it can stress them out and stress can kill your guinea pig!
Innate
The next reason why your guinea pig is quiet is that it is naturally quiet. Like I have said, each guinea pig has their personality. There are guinea pigs that are very vocal and some are quiet and shy even if they live with you for years already.
You can’t do something about this because this is innate. If your guinea pig seems to have a quiet personality, respect it and never get discouraged. Love your guinea pig whatever personality it has!
Is It Normal For Guinea Pigs To Be Quiet All Day?
Yes! It is normal for guinea pigs to be quiet all day, especially if they are naturally quiet. However, you must take a proper look at your guinea pig because sometimes their silence means something bad.
It might be a sickness or injuries that prevent your guinea from speaking. If this is the case, you have to bring your guinea pig to the vet for a proper check-up.
However, if there are no signs of illnesses or injuries, your guinea pig is quiet because of something. Check the different reasons why guinea pigs are quiet I have listed above.
Guinea pigs are just like us. They have mood swings. Yes! Guinea pigs have mood swings because they feel emotions too. Sometimes your guinea pig will act grumpy or hostile to you because they just don’t feel it. Many owners around forums said that mood swings are completely normal for your guinea pig.
Is It Normal For Guinea Pigs To Hide?
Yes! It is normal for guinea pigs to hide. However, you should be concerned if your guinea pig seems to have changed behavior or hiding more often than usual. Like being silent, hiding may be caused by bad things. However, if your guinea pig is new to the house, it will surely hide, which is completely normal. If this is the case, make sure to let your guinea pig adjust.
How To Make My Guinea Pig Quiet?
Another problem you might encounter with your guinea pig is being noisy so much. If your guinea pig is more noisy than usual, your guinea pig might have a problem too.
If your guinea pig is making too much noise, check their food and water bowl. If it is empty, they might make too much noise to grasp your attention. Check also if your guinea pig is hurt. Guinea pigs will make noisy sounds if they are hurt.
Never ignore the noise your guinea pigs produce. These noises have a reason! However, if your guinea pig is just playing with another guinea pig, it is normal for both of them to be noisy. But you have to watch out for it too. Because sometimes their noise might be a fighting rage, not a friendly or frenetic noise.
How Noisy Are Guinea Pigs?
Guinea pigs are not overly noisy. It is what most owners say. The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies reports that guinea pigs are quiet animals. That is why humans love to keep them inside their houses. However, guinea pigs are also vocal. If they want food or attention, they will make noise to get your attention.
Final Verdict
Guinea pigs have quiet days! They have emotions too, which is why they are capable of having mood swings. Guinea pigs might act grumpy and hostile towards you even though they are with you for a year or two already. It is completely normal.
However, you have to check your guinea pig for signs of illnesses or injuries because this might also be a reason for your guinea pig to act quiet and shy.
