Male Guinea Pig Rumblestrutting For No Reason?

[jaimerose]

I just got my first guinea pig about a week ago. He's a male and he's the cutest thing. He seems to be starting to trust me and to settle into his new home. The thing is that he rumblestruts a lot? I looked it up and it says that it usually is done to attract females and assert dominance, but he's in his cage alone. Often after he rumblestruts, he starts popcorning which is weird. Why does he do that? (and yes i've looked into getting him a friend, hopefully soon)

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Hi I have a lone male too at the moment (friend we were originally getting sadly passed so we're looking elsewhere) and his favourite thing to do is rumblestrut. It is especially seen when I'm cleaning him out and he'll rumblestrut and popcorn around me or when I'm occasionally stroking him. I believe it's just them trying to assert dominance over you and I wouldn't worry about it meaning anything wrong medically. I would also advise continuing to find him a friend. I've got another one in my sights but it all depends on what my boar thinks.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

It's probably hormones Yes a good rescue shall help you find him a nice boy to live with!

As for the popcorning, my boss pig always has a fit of the popcorns before/during/after rumblestrutting, I think she's just proud and excited

 

[Wiebke]

I just got my first guinea pig about a week ago. He's a male and he's the cutest thing. He seems to be starting to trust me and to settle into his new home. The thing is that he rumblestruts a lot? I looked it up and it says that it usually is done to attract females and assert dominance, but he's in his cage alone. Often after he rumblestruts, he starts popcorning which is weird. Why does he do that? (and yes i've looked into getting him a friend, hopefully soon)

Hi and welcome

Rumblestrutting is very normal boar behaviour. It is not just mating behaviour, but also a mild dominance behaviour; even sows do it!

The biggest single loving gift you can give your little boy is to get him a same sex friend. Guinea pigs are not wired to be on their own; they are group animals and rely on company of their own kind 24/7. You simply cannot replace that. On the other hand, you gain by enjoying their lively interaction, which makes them so unique and endearing, as well as the knowledge that you are doing your best to make your boy happy and allowing him to use his social behaviours as he should. They are actually much more differentiated than anybody had expected, as recent research has found.
Sadly, so far Switzerland with its most advanced animal protection law is still the only country where it is illegal to sell or own a single guinea pig.

If possible, please take him to one of our recommended good standard rescues to let him find a companion of his choice. the key to any happy boar bond is mutual liking and character compatibility. All the recommended rescues have a mandatory quarantine and rehome only healthy guinea pigs. many also allow you to bring your guinea pig(s) for dating at the rescue under expert supervision.
REcommendUK: Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator
Some other countries: Guinea Lynx :: Rescue Organizations

Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Companionship
Boars: A guide to successful companionship.

New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit