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QUESTION:   I have noticed that their droppings has changed slightly, from darker brown to lighter brown. Nothing to worry about correct? Also, what would you say "fighting" guinea pigs are. my two gps do not share their space very well, but my mom won't let us get a new cage.  They seem fine and no blood has been drawn but sometimes they will like stick their heads in each other's face. Is that ok? My gp's will make high pitched squeaking noises. They make different noises in fact, but mostly high pitched squeaking. what does the high pitched squeaking mean? Also, I need help entertaining my guinea pigs. They have water, food and a card board box and tunnel, but it doesn't look like they really love their cage. They look bored, but when they are outside on the lawn, they look happier that ever. Is there any home made toys i can make? I  mean i know you can make some, but can you make me a list? thank you,

Tollie"

ANSWER: Hi Tollie,

Guinea pigs are completely driven by their tummies and will always be happiest when they're eating. For them, a run around in the garden is less about exercise and more about being surrounded by food! So, they will always be happiest in this situation. However, it's much nicer to keep your piggies indoors than outside, and if they ran around and ate grass all day everyday, they'd get diarrhoea which wouldn't be nice.

The lighter brown poo is likely due to extra greens in their diet. Whilst nothing to worry about, it is important not to feed piggies too many greens. So try to restrict the cabbage, spring greens and grass you feed them. A couple of cabbage leaves a week, and an hour or two of grass a day - maximum. As long as piggies have solid poos there's no need to panic. If they get loose, feed them extra roughage (hay and dried mix).

The high pitched squeaking is a demand. Whilst I like to think my boys sometimes squeak at me just to say hello, they're usually trying to trick me into giving them something to eat! Guinea pigs make this noise in quick succession when they think it's dinner time, when they hear a fridge open, hear veggies being chopped, or hear a bag of hay being rustled. It will also depend on their routine - my boys squeak like crazy when they see me pick up my bag in the morning as they know I always give them a treat before I go to work. Occasionally they will be alerting you to another problem they have, like their water bottle has fallen off, or they want to come out of their cage.

You're doing all the right things to keep them entertained and it sounds like your piggies have some lovely toys :o) Guinea pigs love tubes, they're probably very similar to the tunnel though. I don't know where you live but in the UK there's a guinea pigs 'Naturals' company and they do a "hay and hide" that's amazing - it's a tube made from vegetable parchment, covered in special hay. My boys popcorn like crazy when they see one of these! It's safe for them to eat the whole thing (which they will!) and they can play in and round it too. You can't really make toys for guinea pigs as they need to be very safe; untreated wood, no plastic, no accessible glue etc so it's tricky. I also have a "bite and roll" for my boys - you can slot it together (don't use the glue!) and fill the holes with their dinner. Takes a while, but keeps them busy! I've also heard that guinea pigs like breeze blocks to jump on and off, but this is probably more of a garden toy.

All piggies (like all humans) will squabble from time to time. As long as no blood is drawn, don't worry. They will often "put their heads in each other's faces" as a challenge - often when there's only one piece of food left. As long as they each win sometimes, it's nothing to worry about. How big is their cage? It's important that piggies have enough room to grow and play ...

Hope this helps, enjoy your pets, and if you have any other questions, just ask!

Jenny.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: can you give me sounds guinea pigs make? a list? My guinea pigs make high pitched squeaking, a drr or a prr and i can't tell the difference between the drr or the purr, can you just give me a list of what they mean? (and instead of drr or purr (since i can't tell the difference)can you add something that might let me tell them apart?
Thank you,
Tollie

Answer
Hi Tollie,

I'll do my best! Bit of a tricky one though, to describe the sounds.

High pitched squeaking, on a rising note - Guinea pigs want something! Probably food.

Continuous, fast-paced high pitched squeaking - Guinea pig isn't happy about being separated from another. Usually occurs when you take a baby away from its mother.

Loud rumbling, purring sound. Guinea pig is moving slowly and waggling its bottom - Guinea pig is excited. It's probably greeting another guinea pig or you're stroking it in a place it really likes.

Low-pitched quiet rumble - Guinea pig conversation. Usually heard after guinea pigs have been frightened by something.

Quiet, low-pitched squeaks - Guinea pig conversation. Just having a chat.

Quiet, high-pitched squeaks - Guinea pig conversation. Probably a disagreement so you may see them separate soon after.

Yelp - Guinea pig is hurt. One could have accidentally stood on the other, you might have been a bit rough, or it could be poorly. Head to the cage and investigate!

Hope this helps and let me know if you need anything else.

Best wishes,
Jenny