Rumble Noise

Question
Dear Andy,

I have 2 female guinea pigs.  I have had them for seven weeks now.  I bought them when they were 8 wks old.  Caramel is very friendly and squeaks all the time like she is talking to you.  My other one Toffee is always making a loud vibrating noise, she sits nice and still in her cage for me to lift her and seems to enjoy being on my knee but she always makes that noise. I don't think its a purr as she makes the same noise when I brush her lower back.  

She also spends all day rumble strutting around her cage.  This dosn't seem to bother Caramel as she just gets on with whatever she is doing and ignores her.

I have checked her skin, nails and teeth and she is eating and drinking really well so I don't think she is in any discomfort.  Could you please explain why she seems so moody all the time.

Thanks

Samantha  

Answer
Hi Samantha

The purr of a piggy on your knee and the rumble do sound quite similar. It sounds to me like toffee is just telling caramel that she is going to be the boss of the hutch, but the fact that she isnt bothering caramel at all is great.

The behaviour should stop within a few weeks at the most, but let me know if you have any other concerns.

andy