Popcorning Like Crazy!

Julia Rafferty · Jan 3, 2018

ok so if I even sit next to my piggies cage he starts popcorning. He runs in circles all around his cage and voices up and down like a drunk person having a seizure. Idk if it is normal to popcorn this much but he does. It has me worried because he bumps into EVERYTHING when he popcorns and he is in a wire cage. He also burrows in his hideouts and bumps his head. I know this is a bit off topic but I was also wondering, since he is in my room, can I have an alarm on to wake up or will that scare him to death. Ok back on topic... he also seems to bite the bars of his cage. This popcorning this kind of has me worried since I sit by him a lot

Pearl and Zip · Jan 3, 2018

That’s very strange. I don’t know about the popcorning.

I don’t think you should do the alarm clock; your pig would probably be horrified. If you have an iPhone, maybe you could have vibrate an alarm under your pillow or something? Or get some kinda mechanism to whack you awake, or get something to smash down on you... okay yeah I’m not very good at giving advice.

How big is the wire cage? Does your pig have a companion?

Reenie · Jan 3, 2018

Lol, popcorning and zoomies are usually happy signs and to burn off energy, and this sounds so cute, but I can understand why you're worried he'll hurt himself. Make sure your cage is large enough and he gets plenty of floor time. Getting him a friend is also really important - he'll be lonely on his own, which could be why he gets so excited when you're nearby.
A sudden loud alarm wouldn't be a good idea, but you could have one that plays music starting off quietly and building up...that shouldn't scare him, or one of those daylight ones that wake you naturally.

AbbyCavy · Jan 3, 2018

My guinea pigs are in my bedroom as well and from my experience they popcorn when they are happy or seem to be. Your guinea pig is probably glad to have you near since he is a lone pig? He needs a friend if you can provide him one. They are social creatures and feel safer when there is another guinea pig around.

I have read that popcorning may be a negative reaction at times but that’s pretty rare according to my research. And my girls only do it when they are playing or excited because I have a treat or I am about to open their cage for floor time. It normally means that they are happy. I am not sure about the bumping his head part. How big is his cage?

Julia Rafferty · Jan 3, 2018

Dog Cow said:
That’s very strange. I don’t know about the popcorning.

I don’t think you should do the alarm clock; your pig would probably be horrified. If you have an iPhone, maybe you could have vibrate an alarm under your pillow or something? Or get some kinda mechanism to whack you awake, or get something to smash down on you... okay yeah I’m not very good at giving advice.

How big is the wire cage? Does your pig have a companion?

His companion is at the vet for ringworm. His cage is about a 2 x 6 for C &C

Julia Rafferty · Jan 3, 2018

AbbyCavy said:
My guinea pigs are in my bedroom as well and from my experience they popcorn when they are happy or seem to be. Your guinea pig is probably glad to have you near since he is a lone pig? He needs a friend if you can provide him one. They are social creatures and feel safer when there is another guinea pig around.

I have read that popcorning may be a negative reaction at times but that’s pretty rare according to my research. And my girls only do it when they are playing or excited because I have a treat or I am about to open their cage for floor time. It normally means that they are happy. I am not sure about the bumping his head part. How big is his cage?

We have provided him with a friend and he seems to like him but if corse the new piggie had early stages of ringworm and gave it to my piggie. Now we keep them farther away so the healing process goes better.

AbbyCavy · Jan 3, 2018

Julia Rafferty said:
His companion is at the vet for ringworm. His cage is about a 2 x 6 for C &C

He could just be excited to see you since his buddy is at the vet or maybe he thinks he will get a snack! Mine are pretty manipulative when it comes to performing for treats

and more often than not I give in.

While I am definitely new to owning guinea pigs, I have picked up on behaviors that seem to be specific to excitement, happiness, fear, etc for my 2 babies and I have never seen the popcorning behavior in my girls without it being associated with something positive

Julia Rafferty · Jan 3, 2018

AbbyCavy said:
He could just be excited to see you since his buddy is at the vet or maybe he thinks he will get a snack! Mine are pretty manipulative when it comes to performing for treats and more often than not I give in.

While I am definitely new to owning guinea pigs, I have picked up on behaviors that seem to be specific to excitement, happiness, fear, etc for my 2 babies and I have never seen the popcorning behavior in my girls without it being associated with something positive

Well that’s good! He is currently doing it right now, bumping into the side of the cage too. He seems to sneeze when he does it... his hay has dust in it but he eats it so we can’t take it out. I am wondering if there are foods that make piggies more hipe.

autumne · Jan 6, 2018

With the popcorning, I would think it's because he's excited to see you. Without his mate at the time, he wants some social interaction.

AbbyCavy · Jan 7, 2018

autumne said:
With the popcorning, I would think it's because he's excited to see you. Without his mate at the time, he wants some social interaction.

I have always attributed it to happiness or excitement. In my countless hours of research

I have read that some people have related it to stress or fear and until a few days ago I disagreed. But...
I have noticed a bit of popcorning when it was clear that they were not excited or happy :soz:

but really nervous! I could definitely see where it depends on what’s going on around them. They are such interesting little creatures! Either way it is still so adorable :roll:

Jessi A · Jan 7, 2018

Hello, I need some advice. We returned from vacation, my mom pig sat, and pig #1 has hair missing around her eyes. Pig #2 has been nosing around #1's hind parts. They are 2 and 3 years old, respectively and perfectly healthy thus far. I don't know what might have happened? I'd ike to skip the vet and try to treat at home, if possible. All advice is appreciated, thanks!

Julia Rafferty · Jan 8, 2018

Jessi A said:
Hello, I need some advice. We returned from vacation, my mom pig sat, and pig #1 has hair missing around her eyes. Pig #2 has been nosing around #1's hind parts. They are 2 and 3 years old, respectively and perfectly healthy thus far. I don't know what might have happened? I'd ike to skip the vet and try to treat at home, if possible. All advice is appreciated, thanks!

Sounds like pig #1 has ringworm. Can you send a pic. Mine has it too so I have figured out a lot of the symptoms. Idk what the other one is doing though

Julia Rafferty · Jan 8, 2018

AbbyCavy said:
I have always attributed it to happiness or excitement. In my countless hours of research I have read that some people have related it to stress or fear and until a few days ago I disagreed. But...
I have noticed a bit of popcorning when it was clear that they were not excited or happy but really nervous! I could definitely see where it depends on what’s going on around them. They are such interesting little creatures! Either way it is still so adorable

We moved him and all of a sudden he stopped popcorning. I think you are right and it was just his surroundings

Reenie · Jan 8, 2018

Jessi A said:
Hello, I need some advice. We returned from vacation, my mom pig sat, and pig #1 has hair missing around her eyes. Pig #2 has been nosing around #1's hind parts. They are 2 and 3 years old, respectively and perfectly healthy thus far. I don't know what might have happened? I'd ike to skip the vet and try to treat at home, if possible. All advice is appreciated, thanks!

Sorry I don't know what is wrong, however if it Is ringworm as @Julia Rafferty thinks, please do not treat with over the counter treatment, and be scrupulous with hygiene to try not to catch it yourself. Over the counter Meds will probably not clear it up. You'll find information about ringworm if you search the forum, sorry I can't do a link on this device. This needs a vet visit

Julia Rafferty · Jan 10, 2018

Jessi A said:
Hello, I need some advice. We returned from vacation, my mom pig sat, and pig #1 has hair missing around her eyes. Pig #2 has been nosing around #1's hind parts. They are 2 and 3 years old, respectively and perfectly healthy thus far. I don't know what might have happened? I'd ike to skip the vet and try to treat at home, if possible. All advice is appreciated, thanks!

Is the are around the eye getting kind of crusty and flaky? Is he itching or biting a lot? These are signs of ringworm. My pig did not have these signs... only that his hair was really thing... so I was really surprised when I found a big blustery mess all over him. I thought he had been in s fight but then I realized it was where his hair was thinning. Sometime they don’t show symptoms. But either way, ringworm or mites, bring him to the vet and ask for F10 and an oral treatment. My pig had a bad case and it was gone in about two days using these products. Even if it clears up that quickly, bathe him once every week for three weeks I believe. This will make sure there are no remaining spores