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Why do guinea pigs shake?
Many different factors can contribute to your guinea pigs shaking, ranging from non-threatening to potentially life-threatening.
While your guinea pigs may shake out of happiness, they may also shake out of fear or pain, which could cause them to shake throughout the entire session.
Here are some of the most common reasons that can leave your guinea pigs shaking:
- Your guinea pig is happy or content.
- Shaking out of fear due to some loud noises like loud music, loudspeaker, lightning, etc.
- Guinea pigs do shake while they are rumble strutting. It is a part of their dominance behavior.
- The cold weather could be another reason behind shaking.
- Diseases like ear infection, mites, etc. can lead to shaking as well.
So, now that you’re aware of the potential factors that could cause your guinea pigs to become frightened, what should you do?
Examine some of the most common situations that guinea pig owners encounter and learn what each shaking indicates in different situations by reading on.
Table of Contents
Do guinea pigs shake when they are scared?
Signs that your Guinea Pig is frightened
When guinea pigs are scared, they will shake their heads. Other signs of fear include freezing, moving his head up and down (as if he were throwing himself), and other behaviors.
Anxiety or fear caused by loud noises such as the music system, television, crackers, or even a thunderstorm may cause them to shake.
Why is my guinea pig shaking and purring?
Guinea pigs are known for their shaking and purring behavior. Guinea pigs do shak when they are happy or excited about something, and this is normal for them.
Other signs of happiness include rubbing one’s nose in the air and eating popcorn. The fact that your Guinea Pigs are jumping for joy should not be a source of concern for yourself.
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Why is my guinea pig shaking his head?
When guinea pigs shake their heads, it could indicate that they are experiencing health problems. A guinea pig’s head shaking could be caused by an ear infection, which is common among the species.
Guinea pigs can exhibit this type of shaking behavior when they are bitten by flies or other insects that are bothering them.
Other signs and symptoms to watch for include loss of appetite, loss of balance, rolling on the ground, and so on. If you have a suspicion that you have an ear infection, seek medical attention right away.
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Why is my guinea pig shaking his bum?
A common dominance behavior in guinea pigs is shaking their bum from one side to the other (vibrating), which is demonstrated by shaking their bum.
Rumble strutting is another term for this type of movement, which is accompanied by a rumbling sound.
Guinea pigs typically do this when they are making a mating call or when they are demonstrating dominance over other guinea pigs. You don’t have to be concerned about it until they get into a serious fight.
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Why does my guinea pig shake when I pet him?
Whether your guinea pigs shake when you pet them indicates that they either enjoy being petted or that they despise it.
It’s difficult to tell whether they’re having fun or just sitting there doing nothing. An occasional purring noise can be heard in addition to the shaking.
Keep an eye out for signs that your guinea pig is enjoying being petted or that they are becoming irritated. You must understand that not every guinea pig enjoys being petted and cuddled, and you must respect that fact.
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Recommended Supplies For Guinea pigs: Our Top Picks!
Before you read on, here are some supplies for your guinea pigs that have been hand-picked by our experts and that you should add to your wishlist right away:
Why is my guinea pig shaking after a bath?
If you notice your guinea pig shaking after a bath, it is almost certainly a shiver due to the cold weather outside.
After a shower, you should never leave your guinea pigs damp or wet on the floor. Guinea pigs do not require frequent bathing, so if you do give them a bath, make sure to dry them out as soon as you can after you are finished.
Shivering is common after taking a bath, so you shouldn’t be too concerned about it.
Why is my guinea pig shaking and twitching?
Guinea pigs that exhibit unusual behavior, such as lying on their sides, squeaking in pain, and twitching (similar to a seizure), may be suffering from skin diseases, such as mites, and should be examined immediately.
When mites infest guinea pigs, they can cause them to shake and twitch as a result of the pain they are experiencing. If you notice this type of behavior in your guinea pigs, you should seek medical attention right away.
How do I stop my guinea pig from shaking?
The treatment for your guinea pig’s shaking will depend on what is causing it in the first place. While some situations necessitated immediate action, others could be left alone without causing any problems.
Signs that your Guinea Pig is content
If your guinea pig is shaking with happiness or joy, you can put them out of your mind; however, if they are shaking for other reasons, you may need to take action.
Shaking after a bath
If you notice that your guinea pig is shaking after a bath, you need to warm them up as soon as possible to prevent injury.
Making use of a soft, dry towel to dry them by wrapping them around could be a great place to begin.
If you need to dry them up quickly, you can use a hairdryer from a distance to accomplish this.
Keep it at a safe distance from your guinea pig’s skin, however, to avoid damaging it.
Shaking out of fear
If you notice that your guinea pigs are shaking as a result of a fear of loud noises, predators, or something similar, there isn’t much you can do to help them.
Try to incorporate some hiding spaces where the guinea pigs can feel safe so that they are not overstimulated and stressed.
Alternatively, you can cover the front part of the cage with a blanket or a bedsheet to provide them with some temporary relief.
If they are shaking excessively, you should take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Shaking when you pet them
The next time you pet your guinea pigs, notice if they start to shake out of fear, or if they don’t seem to enjoy being petted by you. If this is the case, you may want to consider developing a close bond with them.
Having a better relationship with them often results in them feeling more comfortable around you, which helps to resolve the issue. Keep in mind that when they are happy, they will vibrate as well.
Shaking due to health issues
What to Look for If Your Guinea Pig Is Sick
If your guinea pigs are shaking in an abnormal manner, you may need to take them to the veterinarian right away.
Shaking their head, acting in a seizure-like manner, and other such behaviors are frequently indicative of a serious health problem that necessitates immediate medical attention.
Conclusion: What do guinea pig shaking mean?
When it comes to guinea pigs, shaking can mean a variety of different things. Shaking in guinea pigs can be caused by a variety of factors including happiness, fear, anxiety, and health issues.
You must keep a close eye on your guinea pigs to determine whether they are shaking as a result of something normal or whether they are shaking as a result of other symptoms that could indicate a health problem.
Understanding the underlying cause is critical to determining what can be done to prevent shaking in guinea pigs in the future. If the shaking is caused by happiness, you should not be concerned about it; otherwise, you may require medical attention immediately.
Sources: Effects of fireworks on guinea pigs, Reduction in aggression and dominance status in guinea pigs, Guinea Pigs: Aggression and Dominance, Social confrontation in male guinea pigs, The effect of human interaction on guinea pig behavior.
