Side tickles!

[CharlieH]

Hope this works as I'm posting from mobile, and sorry if its a silly question!

My boy, Poggle is about a year old and has always loved being tickled on his left side, he collapses into a sitting position and starts to roll over so you can tickle his tummy!

Recently he's started rumbling when he does this, just as he does at his lady friends in his cage.

Is he still enjoying it? Or is that supposed to be a warning to stop from him?

Again, sorry if a silly question

 

[piggyfan]

It depends if he shakes his hips then he is getting excited but if he goes brr then he does not like it.

 

[sport_billy]

Cookie likes tickles to a point. See will stay while you tickle her then collaspes lying down then runs off, she enjoys it but it must get too ticklish

 

[mikulinek]

Hope this works as I'm posting from mobile, and sorry if its a silly question!

My boy, Poggle is about a year old and has always loved being tickled on his left side, he collapses into a sitting position and starts to roll over so you can tickle his tummy!

Recently he's started rumbling when he does this, just as he does at his lady friends in his cage.

Is he still enjoying it? Or is that supposed to be a warning to stop from him?

Again, sorry if a silly question

Hi Charlie,

A lot of people get confused between rumbling and purring. They are very similar sounds and it's important to take them in context with what they're doing physically as well.

Rumbling is a dominance signal so I doubt very much that Poggle is doing this when you tickle him. f he didn't like it he would more likely complain or wheek, or twitch and just walk/run away. For example, Caramel (one of our boars) lets my wife tickle his side for a few seconds, then it gets too tickly and he runds away. He'll come back again after a while and do it all over again.

On the other hand, when I stroke and gently scratch/tickle Biscuit (our other boar) he will stretch out and often roll on to one side and then start purring. This is probably what Poggle is doing. There is very little difference in sound between a rumble and a purr and between a purr and a burr. If you can't hear the difference (which is hard) then a general guide would be:

Rumbling would usually be at another guinea pig, particularly a male. The neck hairs would be raised and may be accompanied by strutting (sway from one side to the other). This is a dominance display.

Purring is generally done in conjucture with stretching out, relaxing, maybe even closing their eyes. This is most definitely a sign of contentment. You Poggle is probably doing this. It means, "I like what you're doing so please continnue"

A burr is a short'ish purr sound. Your piggy would stand at attention/look alert/alarmed when doing this. It's a sound of shock/slight fear and is usually made when there's a noise they doin't like but they can't run away for whatever reason (they're on your lap, in their cage etc.).

I hope this helps

 

[CharlieH]

Very so much for all of your replies, they're very helpful

He dedinately does stretch out and quite often closes his eyes so sounds like he's still enjoying it!

Thanks again for all your help, you're all very knowledgeable!

 

[Choccy]

My Choccy loves his side tickles and his belly rubbed, has little spasms when you do it, and then walks away when he's had enough!

I read this thread last night and was just tickling Choccy, the little monster gifted me with 6 poos! rolleyes