1 year old - no noises

[ycul_0606]

Hello, I was wondering if I could get some advice please. I have two male guinea pigs and they are nearly 18 months old.
Apart from once, I have never heard any noises from them. Is this normal?
I remember my guinea pigs when I was a child always asking for food etc.

To give you an idea of our set up, they are in an outside two level hutch.
In the morning my daughter does their hay and dried food. After school she does their veggies (they seem pretty fussy but I give a variation of carrot, kale, lettuce, green beans, strawberry leafy tops).
They eat well and have a great relationship with each other but just concerned if they are happy.
If anyone could let me know if there is a way to encourage noises and if there’s anything I can do to make them happier (if my set up is wrong) I’d really appreciate it.

On their top level the bedding area has two cuddle cups and hay.
Downstairs they have a hidy space and a forage tray with hay and mixture of dried foods.
They have a large run they use in the day but it’s been so wet they haven’t been out in a while.

Thanks in advance
Lucy

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum

Some are more vocal than others; some never make sounds. But sounds or lack thereof is not an indication of their happiness. Provided they have a good bond with each other and their weight is stable at every weekly weight check, then there is not a concern about them being unhappy.

It’s also very normal for them to not be able to go out into a run at this time of year. Outdoor run time season only runs from around April until September/early October. So providing mental stimulation in the hutch over the winter months is key - providing foraging opportunities is a fantastic way to do that

Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

Do note they carrot shouldn’t be given more than a tiny piece once a week due to the sugars; and that kale is too high in calcium so should be fed very sparingly and no more than once a week.

I would just say that we do not recommend the use of any fabric bedding items for outdoor piggies (particularly in winter or a wet summer) due to moisture wicking.

 

[Claire W]

I can’t add to the excellent advice above but just wanted to welcome you to the forum.

I’ve had both indoor and outdoor piggies and there were piggies in both setups who made very little noise and some were super loud. Please do not worry as sound is not an indicator of whether they are happy or not and so long as they have a good bond and each other for company and are not losing weight, they will be happy x

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
As has been said not all piggies are talkative.
My Ruth never stopped talking, Merab had a whisper instead of a wheek and my current pair don’t chatter very much at all.

We look forward to getting to know you.

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum

 

[Betsy]

My Rainbow Piggy Cutey Pie Dennis hardly wheeked from the day he was born (he was the result of a shop pregnancy along with his bother Christian and sister Meg - I am not a breeder) until the day he died 5 years later. He had a wifelet that wheeked for both of them so I guess he didn't feel the need and before he married, his sister wheeked for everypig!

 

[Truffolo]

Truffle wheeks but will wheek quietly, he seems to know exactly how loud he can wheek without risking being heard by the neighbours. I don't think I've heard Polo wheek, and on the odd occasion he has rumbled, it has been quite a deep, low pitched rumble. I have heard him squeal, once when Truffle was bothering him and once when he saw Socks the hamster in his hamster play pen nearby ❤

 

[Zanzan]

I had my Pepper from around four months old until she was six and in all that time she never made one sound. Not a wheek or a grumble. But she was perfectly happy and healthy all of her life.

 

[ycul_0606]

Thank you everyone I really appreciate all your help.
Both my beasties seem happy and I’ve never seen them fighting etc so I’m glad to know that silence is not an indication of unhappiness!
Was so glad to have some nicer weather and finally get them out in the run!
Thanks all

 

[ycul_0606]

In terms of food I am glad to know about the kale and carrot. I was giving carrot and kale every other day because that’s their FAVOURITEEEE. I didn’t realise it should be fed in moderation.
I also do cucumber, green beans, romaine lettuce and coriander.
I’ve tried my pigs with cauliflower, broccoli, leek, cabbage, pepper & sprouts and they don’t touch it
Fussy beasties
They seem like a healthy size and not noticed as issues with feeding/pooing etc so just really hoping they are happy!

 

[Piggies&buns]

They should never be given leeks, garlic or any member of the onion family

It can take them a lot of tries before they start to eat a new type of veg - just keep trying!

Members of the brassica family (so broccoli, sprouts etc) can cause bloat so if they do start to eat it, then make sure it is only in small amounts

I’ve added some diet guides below

Edible And Forbidden Veg And Fruit List With Vitamin C Grading
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

The only way to know they are eating enough hay (which makes three quarters of their daily food intake) is by the weekly weight checks you should carry out

Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support Levels

Do remember that access to grass must be built up very slowly every year. Grass, particularly new spring grass, if given too much too quickly on unprepared digestive system can cause bloat which can lead to deaths.
Handpick very small amounts of grass and feed it to them in their cage. Build that amount up gradually in the weeks leading up to nicer weather. By the time it is warm and dry enough for them to be able to go out, their gut will be adjusted to fresh grass.
Don’t forget that the guide is you have to be able to stand on the grass with bare feet for five minutes without feeling damp or cold on your feet before the piggies can go on it.

I have started handpicking grass in the last week or so (for my piggies who live in a shed) ready for them to have access into the run from around April time

Fresh Grass and Lawn Time - Tips for Avoiding Spring Time Deaths
Fresh Grass and Lawn Time Spring Alert - Please Read

 

[ycul_0606]

Thanks for your help, much appreciated xx

 

[Merab]

Don’t worry if you think your piggies have a limited variety of veggies.
I have found over the years that some are very happy just to have their favourites.
Priscilla would have eaten nothing but cucumber if she could.
My current pair are very partial to red leaves then green leaves. Everything else is only eaten when there’s no leaves left.
They would eat carrot and apple in vast quantities if I let them.