Guinea pigs are amazing little creatures, that love to socialise with each other but also sometimes become friendly towards us humans.
If you’re wondering whether your guinea pig likes you, there are several signs to watch for. One key way to tell if your guinea pig loves you is through their behavior; signs like gentle nibbles or excited squeaks show they trust you and feel safe around you.
As you bond with your cavy, observe how they interact with you. Guinea pigs often express affection by licking or nudging your hand, which indicates a level of comfort and love.
Building a strong relationship takes time, and some guinea pigs take longer than others to become comfortable around humans. By by recognizing the signs of affection from your guinea pig, you can improve upon methods you’re using to encourage them to get more used to you.
Plus if they likes you, it’s a sign that your guinea pig is happy and feels safe around you.
Table of Contents
BEhaviourrs to look out for
How they react when socialising
Guinea pigs thrive in social settings and often express their feelings through sounds and actions. When they wheek, it can indicate excitement, especially when they see snacks or fellow guinea pigs. Licking you can show affection, similar to how they interact with other pigs.
If a guinea pig nuzzles your hand, it’s a sign of trust. They may engage in playful behavior, like running laps or popcorning, which shows happiness. Watching their play can help you tell how comfortable they feel around you.
How they react to new sounds
Being prey animals means guinea pigs have strong survival instincts. Signs of fear include freezing, hissing, or even shrieking. If your guinea pig exhibits these behaviors, they may feel threatened or uncomfortable.
Pay attention to how they react to new sounds or movements. If they seem startled and freeze, it’s a good idea to give them some space. Over time, as they build confidence and get used to you, they’ll become less likely to react in such a way.
How guinea pigs show affection
Guinea pigs show their feelings in various ways, mostly through sounds but also physical actions that show affection. You can learn to recognize these behaviours, so you will know whether they feel comfortable around you.
Coming over to you
When your guinea pig likes you and is used to you, they’re more likely to come out of hiding when you approach their cage. If your guinea pigs free roam or when they have floor time, they’re more likely to run over to you and want to sit with you.
Signs of closeness include:
- Huddling: When they’re outside of the cage, and they choose to snuggle up with you rather than running away that’s a sign they like you.
- Sitting in your lap: If your guinea pig chooses to sit on your lap, it shows that it enjoys your presence.
- Following you: A curious guinea pig may follow you around during floor time or when fre roaming, eager for your attention.
Sounds and Vocalizations
Guinea pigs communicate through a variety of sounds. These vocalizations can reveal how they feel about you.
Key sounds to listen for:
- Purring: This soft sound often signifies contentment. If your guinea pig purrs when you hold it, it shows affection.
- Wheeking: A loud, excited noise usually made when they see you or anticipate food. This is a clear sign your guinea pig loves being around you.
- Chirping: A less common sound, but it can indicate happiness.
Click play on the video below to hear a guinea pig wheeking.
Positive Physical Interactions
When you spend time with your guinea pig, pay attention to their physical responses. Positive interactions like petting or grooming help strengthen your bond.
Responding to Petting and Handling
When you pet your guinea pig, observe how they respond. If they lean into your hand or nuzzle against you, that’s a good sign they enjoy the contact. Many guinea pigs will purr softly when being petted. This sound indicates happiness and comfort.
During handling, your guinea pig should feel relaxed. If they resist or try to escape, it may mean they are not ready for close contact.
Gentle handling is key. Here’s some tips on how to handle and stroke your guinea pig:
- Always support their body well, as this makes them feel safe.
- Never put your guinea pig on their back as this makes them feel unsafe, and hurts them.
- Don’t rub their stomach or bottom, as this resembles predator behaviour and they are more likely to become scared of you.
Grooming and Licking Behaviors
Grooming is another way guinea pigs express affection. When your pet allows you to groom them, it shows they trust you. Use a soft brush to keep their coat clean and healthy.
Licking is a strong sign of affection. If your guinea pig gently licks your hand, they are showing love. It’s similar to how they groom each other. You might also experience quick nibbles, which indicate curiosity and affection. These behaviors highlight a positive bond between you and your guinea pig.
Signs your guinea pig trusts you
Your guinea pig shows trust and enjoyment in different ways. Two main indicators are playful actions, like popcorning, and their tendency to follow or nibble on you.
Popcorning and Playing
Popcorning is a joyful behavior many guinea pigs display. This involves jumping into the air and doing playful flips, almost like they’re popping like popcorn. If your guinea pig pops around you, it shows they’re happy and excited in your presence.
Engaging your guinea pig in playtime can strengthen your bond.
To encourage play, try these activities:
- Use small balls or soft toys for them to push.
- Create tunnels for them to explore.
- Be sure to get down on their level, so they feel comfortable.
Nibbling
Nibbling is a sign of affection. When they gently nibble on your fingers or clothes, they may be grooming you or showing interest. This behavior mimics how they interact with other guinea pigs.
To encourage this, let your guinea pig approach you. Offer a treat and observe their reaction. If they happily nibble or come close, it means they like you!
Bonding with your guinea pig
To strengthen your relationship with your guinea pig, focus on effective communication and consistent handling. Training them with patience can help build trust and companionship.
Effective Communication and Handling
Building a bond starts with how you communicate with your guinea pig. Speak softly and use their name often. This creates a sense of familiarity and safety.
If you want your guinea pig to learn their name, call their name and when they react, give them a treat. Overtime, they will learn to react to their name and come over when called.
When handling your guinea pig, always support their body. Use both hands: place one under their front legs and the other under their back. Avoid sudden movements, as these can scare them.
Spend time with your hand resting in their cage, keeping still. This encourages them to approach you on their own. You can also use gentle strokes or let them sniff your hand. This shows you are friendly and helps them feel secure.
Training for Trust and Companionship
Training is a great way to build trust. Start with simple commands, like “come”. Use treats they love as rewards. This encourages them to interact with you.
Consistency is key. Try to spend time with your guinea pig every day. This helps them know they can rely on you.
Monitor their reactions. If they seem nervous or scared, take a step back. Let them get used to your presence before progressing. Over time, as you train, you will see signs that they like you, such as licking or cuddling. These actions show they are comfortable and trust you.
How long will it take for my guinea pig to get used to me?
As with any animal (especially prey animals), it can take time for guinea pigs to get used to humans and feel safe around us. There’s not any real time frame on when this will be. Just remember to take your time, and don’t rush. Give your guinea pig gentle encouragement, but make sure it feels safe and don’t try to force it into liking you.
If your guinea pig was adopted from a pet store, it’s less likely to be as used to humans as a pet from a trusted breeder. Guinea pigs need to be handled a lot, but sadly pet stores tend to get their guinea pigs from pet mills. These breed out tons and tons of animals, with little to no handling. Once at the pet store, they’re once again rarely handled by anyone except when being cleaned out.
If you rescued your guinea pig, there might have been issues with neglect in their background and a lack of handling. So sadly, some rescued piggys will take a bit longer to get used to you. But they still deserve all the love in the world and a forever home. So why not check out our rescue finder and look for a local piggy to adopt?
