Why do guinea pigs vibrate?

Guinea pigs are extremely social animals who use lots of different ways to communicate how they’re feeling – from vocalisations to body language. One of these is vibrating their furry little bodies, which, to other guinea pigs, can have a number of different meanings.

In fact, very few animals use vibration as a form of communication, and, if you’re a devotee of these fabulous small furries, you’ll want to understand the reasons behind those baffling quivers and shivers.

Here we help you decode the hidden messages behind your guinea pigs’ puzzling pulsations. Plus, check out 6 ways to help your piggies have good (not bad) vibrations!

I’m feeling cold

Guinea pigs are very sensitive to temperature changes and don’t handle extremes of heat or cold very well. For example, if guinea pigs are kept outside all year, they may start vibrating once temperatures dip as a way of trying to stay warm. If guinea pigs feel cold, they will start shivering just like we do when we feel chilled to the bone. In winter, you’ll need to take extra steps to keep your piggies warm and cosy, or ideally, bring them indoors. 

If you’ve ever asked yourself – why is my guinea pig vibrating after a bath? – it’s probably due to the same thing – they’re feeling too cold for comfort. Generally, guinea pigs don’t need bathing as part of their grooming routine, but if you do give your guinea pig a bath, make sure they’re immediately wrapped up in a towel and dried thoroughly as the excess water left on their fur will cause them to lose heat very quickly. A chilly piggy will vibrate and shiver a lot. Brrr!

I’m enjoying your company

When stroking your guinea pigs, you may notice they vibrate in short bursts. This is a response similar to a cat’s purr, that reveals your piggy is feeling super relaxed and is very happy to be petted by you. This type of vibration is often accompanied by a low, burbling noise or high pitched chirping sound, either of which can signal deep contentment. 

Guinea pigs may also give little vibrations of joy when seeing a favourite toy or treat, or when they spot you approaching with some of their guinea pig nuggets, a bundle of yummy feeding hay and a handful of tasty fresh greens in anticipation of goodies on the way!

I’m alarmed by something

When guinea pigs are startled or worried by something – such as a loud, unfamiliar noise, or a nosy dog or cat prowling about outside their enclosure – they may visibly vibrate and hunch up or spread their legs out ready to make a quick getaway. This behaviour may be accompanied by high pitched squeaking or squealing to warn their piggy companions of potential danger.

I’m cross with you

Guinea pigs who combine body vibration with teeth chattering, hissing or even growling are telling you they’re annoyed and want you to back off. Pay close attention when you see and hear this behaviour so you can avoid repeating whatever it was that upset them!

I’m feeling frisky

Known in guinea pig circles as ‘rumble strutting’ and ‘motor-boarding’, male guinea pigs rumble, vibrate and stamp their little feet to attract females. Female piggies also vibrate and make a rumbling sound to let nearby males know they’re in season – or to demonstrate their dominance over another female guinea pig. Yes, even mild-mannered guinea pigs have a pecking order!

I’m not feeling well

Sometimes, a vibrating guinea pig means that there’s an underlying health issue – although as prey animals, they will do their best to hide the fact they’re poorly as this would make them easy pickings for predators in the wild. Look for warning signs such as loss of appetite, drinking noticeably more or less water, weight loss, bald patches, wheezing, sneezing and coughing and discharge from eyes or nose.

If your pet is showing any of these symptoms, then it’s essential to take them to a specialist small animal vet as soon as possible. They will investigate what’s causing the problem and advise you of a suitable treatment plan.

“We can tell so much about our guinea pigs’ health and happiness by watching their behaviours,” advises Burgess in-house vet, Dr Suzanne Moyes. “They are such great little characters and, when they’re feeling safe and secure, they reward us by communicating with us in all sorts of ways. And, while we humans can’t speak guinea pig, the more time we spend with these wonderful animals, the better we can understand how they’re feeling and what makes them happy.”

6 WAYS TO HELP YOUR GUINEA PIGS HAVE GOOD VIBRATIONS!

• GIVE THEM ACCESS TO EVERYTHING THEY NEED Guinea pigs are awake for up to 20 hours of the day. This means their environment needs to enable them to have constant access to food, water, companion guinea pigs, safe hiding places, a run, and plenty of things to do to keep them occupied.
• PROVIDE SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION A hutch does not provide the space guinea pigs need to behave normally and should just be viewed as your guinea pigs’ ‘bedroom’. It should be permanently attached to a much larger guinea pig run where they can exercise freely at any point in the day or night. This can be a safe guinea pig-proofed room indoors or a large run outdoors that’s predator-proof,  with places to hide and lots of  high-quality hay and soft paper bedding to tunnel in to help them feel safe.
• PROVIDE COMPANIONSHIP Although they can form strong bond with their human, guinea pigs can only be truly happy if they have another cavy to chat to, as one of a pair or as part of a small group. The best mixes are ideally littermates – two females or a neutered male with one or more females. Be aware that introducing a new guinea pig friend has to be done very carefully!
• DISH OUT THE CORRECT DIET To keep healthy, guinea pigs need to keep their digestive systems busy with a mix of two kinds of fibre (called digestible and indigestible fibre) moving through the gut at all times. They can get this from eating good quality feeding hay, which also keeps their continually growing teeth in check. Like humans, they also need a daily dose of Vitamin C. Feeding high quality guinea pig nuggets, which are high in fibre and contain Vitamin C, along with a small handful of leafy greens, will ensure they’re getting everything they need. 
• PROVIDE ENRICHMENT Foraging behaviour is second nature to piggies, and you can encourage this by scattering a portion of guinea pig nuggets in different places around their accommodation, hiding it in cardboard egg cups, or mixing it with feeding hay. A few tasty Nature Snacks will add to the fun. This will keep them happily busy, which is really important, as not having enough to do is not good for their health and wellbeing.
• KEEP A CLOSE EYE OH THEIR HEALTH Because guinea pigs don’t require a yearly vaccination, they’re often never taken to the vets for regular check-ups. That’s why it’s really important to give your piggies a weekly health check of their eyes, ears, nose, mouth and teeth, fur, skin, feet, nails and bottom yourself. Spotting problems early and taking your pet straight to your vet can make all the difference to your guinea pigs enjoying a speedy recovery or becoming very ill.

GUINEA PIG AWARENESS WEEK – DID YOU KNOW BURGESS PET CARE IS ON A MISSION TO CREATE A SAFER AND MORE LOVING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL GUINEA PIGS?

Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW) is the UK’s largest welfare initiative dedicated to guinea pigs. It’s led by small pet experts Burgess Pet Care in partnership with leading UK animal charities – the RSPCA, Blue Cross, Woodgreen and Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, who come together each year to support guinea pig welfare. 

Burgess in-house vet and deputy managing director, Dr Suzanne Moyes, says: “Despite their popularity, guinea pigs are among the most misunderstood pets in the UK. A lack of knowledge means that their very specific welfare needs can be overlooked. We’re on a mission to inform and educate guinea pig lovers everywhere so that these much-loved pets have everything they need to be healthy and happy. Together we can create a safer and more loving environment for all guinea pigs.”

• SIGN UP to get involved in GPAW 2026 and to receive your FREE pack filled with loads of guinea pig fun and information here >>
• JOIN our Excel guinea pigs Berry and Bramble on the GPAW Facebook page and on Instagram @GuineaPigAwarenessWeek 
• CARE MORE Discover more about meeting the needs of your guinea pigs with our Guinea Pig Care Guide >>

They don’t come from Guinea, are not related to pigs, and they have an odd number of toes. Discover 12 fun facts about gorgeous guinea pigs >>

*  While it’s lovely for children to enjoy the company of guinea pigs, the responsibility for any animal’s wellbeing lies with adults. Small animals are often more complex to feed and care for than a cat or dog and require more looking after than a child can offer.

SERVE UP ONLY THE VERY BEST DINNER FOR YOUR GORGEOUS GUINEA PIGS!

Our small pets deserve a high-quality diet that’s created just for them. At Burgess, all our food for guinea pigs is made at our factory in the heart of Yorkshire, using only ingredients that meet our stringent specifications.

With a long tradition of supporting British farmers, we actively source all our ingredients as close to our mill as possible and have launched many innovations. These include the world’s first indoor guinea pig nuggets, which are made with a calm formula.

*It’s no surprise that 92% of UK vets recommend our Burgess Excel small pets range!*

And, with a whole host of five-star reviews, Burgess Excel customers who have purchased our guinea pig nuggets and hay have told us: 

* “Our guinea pigs love this hay!” * “My guinea girls love to munch on this every day. I love their little squeaks of delight when it is given to them and their excited hops around it to find the best bits to eat first!” * “First time using this hay, and my 4 guinea pigs absolutely love it. They have hay in a tray that they are able to graze in, but they love this hay in their hay rack.” * “This herbage is clearly high quality, with lovely whole pieces of dandelion and marigold. A fantastic product for small pets.” * “I've tried other mixes, but this one is the best in terms of quality and how much my small animals enjoy it.” * Great product my guinea pigs love this and won’t eat any other pellets now. * My guinea pigs love this – Burgess is such a good brand and made in the UK which is another benefit. * “My guineas love the blackcurrant version.” * “My guinea pigs prefer these to anything else. I supplement them with greens and hay, but they can’t get enough of these nuggets.” * “Although I haven't tasted these myself, I can say that my guinea pigs seem to find these very tasty!” *

NEED SOME EXPERT GUINEA PIG FEEDING TIPS?

If you are at all unsure about the best way of feeding your guinea pigs or have any concerns about specific nutritional requirements, ask your local veterinary practice for advice. You can also call our expert team on 44 (0)0800 413 969, who’ll be happy to help. They’re available 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, use our online form to get in touch.

Join the Burgess Pet Club for exclusive offers, competitions and expert advice from our in-house vet, Dr Suzanne Moyes.