Guinea pig body language
Guinea pigs are small rodents that live in herds. It has been proven that they can communicate with each other both by means of sounds and by means of body language. Guinea pig owners can also learn to understand them.
It is easy to recognize when the guinea pig is afraid. Due to their small size and the lack of appropriate skills, they cannot defend themselves. However, they have learned to react differently to the threat. The frightened guinea pig freezes, straining its eyes. Her little heart beats very quickly. When the stress is really strong, she tries to pretend to be dead, hoping to avoid contact with the attacker. If the threat lasts longer, we can observe loss of appetite, weight loss and lethargy.
It is just as easy to recognize when the piggy is happy. In a moment of joy, the guinea pigs jump in all directions, showing how happy they are.
A relaxed guinea pig lies on its side and holds out its hind legs. If he allows us to touch his delicate belly while squinting at the same time, we can assume that he fully trusts us. If the piggy stretched out in this way does not even twitch when we pass it, it means that we do not arouse even the slightest fear in it.
Guinea pigs can also be curious. When something interests them, at first they will smell it thoroughly, raising their nose. If they do not sense the threat, they can gently bite the object of interest. When this one does not turn out to be tasty, they will most likely head in a different direction, waiting for new places to play.
There are a few more behaviors that will tell us a lot about our pigs. For example, a backward-walking piggy will usually look for a suitable place to defecate. Pigs are also very clean, they clean their fur regularly. If they scratch it means that they are itchy. In such a situation, it is good to observe the mumps. It can be a haystalk, but also a sign of illness. Yawning, as in humans, is a sign of tiredness or boredom.
Guinea pigs, like most animals, do not attack for nothing. However, if you happen to be bitten by a pig, don’t be angry with her. It usually just means that they don’t feel like having fun at the moment. On the other hand, a pig gnawing on the bars of its cage may be hungry, although this is often the way it attracts our attention. This is how she communicates to us that she wants you to play with her.
Knowing the basic behavior of a guinea pig, you can look after it well. Take care of her and she will certainly repay you with many joyful jumps and a belly exposed to caresses. This is how guinea pigs show love – or at least the desire to stroke them;)
