guinea pigs squealing

Question
QUESTION: I have 2 young females. One is much more outgoing than the other. She's much more calm when I hold her, eats from my hand, etc. But lately, whenever I hold her, she starts squealing (quite loudly I might add) and then the other one joins in. I can't have them both screaming like that because I have neighbors! 1) Why are they doing this? Is it fear? Or do they just want to be together? Does this mean they are bonded? 2) Is there any way to make this stop?
Any help or suggestions would be great! Thank you!

ANSWER: The squeal that I'm thinking you are talking about may mean she is lonely, hurt, or scared.  If the other one joins in, it very well be that they are just trying to communicate with each other.  Your guinea pigs will get used to you (I'm assuming you haven't had them for that long).  I'm also assuming that your guinea pig is not hurt, so it is most likely that she just feels uncomfortable without the other one, because they most likely are bonded.  One suggestion that I will make is to try to hold them together, take both of them out, and set them both on your lap, and pet both of them.  See if this helps.  I expect that the loud squealing will stop when you do this.  You are not doing anything wrong, so don't blame yourself.  

You can go to this link to hear different sounds to pinpoint the exact meaning of the squeal you are hearing..

http://www.aracnet.com/~seagull/Guineas/behavior.html


I hope this helped.  Try my suggestion and let me know if that worked..

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

QUESTION: Hi again,
Yes, you're right, I have only had them for about 3 weeks now so I guess they are still getting used to me. I tried your suggestion- holding them both together- it was unbelievable! What a transformation! They were so cuddly all the sudden. They were all stretched out and laid there for almost an hour. It was adorable! Thank you so much for your help! I noticed that the lick my hands and fingers a lot. I read somewhere that they are trying to get salt. Should I put a salt wheel in their cage? Again, thanks for your help!

Answer
I'm glad my suggestion worked. Eventually you will be able to let one walk around on the floor and hold one at a time, they will definitely get used to it.

I don't recommend salt wheels.  Other people might, but I don't.  The reason for this is because they can get way too much salt if you leave a wheel in their cage.  And that is not healthy for them.  And, guinea pigs do not NEED salt wheels, it is not necessary for their diet or nutrition.  So I wouldn't worry about it.  I have never given my guinea pigs salt wheels, because I do not like the idea of them at all.