Many guinea pig owners feel like they’re constantly being judged by their pets. They try their best to provide a good home, but their guinea pigs always seem unhappy. So, why do guinea pigs hate?
I did a little research and here’s what I found out:
Guinea pigs hate when people try to touch them or pick them up. They’re naturally very skittish creatures and don’t enjoy being handled by humans. So if you want to get your guinea pig to like you, it’s best to just let them be and give them their space.
However, there could be a few other reasons why guinea pigs hate. It might be because they’re uncomfortable or scared. It’s also possible that they’re trying to tell you something, like that they need more food or water, for example.
Generally, though, guinea pigs are social animals that enjoy the company of their fellow cavy friends. In the wild, they live in large herds and spend their days grazing on grasses and vegetables.
However, when they are kept as pets, they are often put in small cages, so, they can become bored, anxious, and even depressed. One way to help your guinea pig stay happy and healthy is to provide them with plenty of social interaction.
That means letting them out of their cage to play and explore, and providing them with toys and hiding places so they can feel safe and secure.
It also means giving them extra guinea pig friends to interact with. So if you’re wondering why guinea pigs hate being alone, it’s because it goes against their nature.
Why do guinea pigs hate water?
If you’ve ever tried to give your guinea pig a bath, you know that they don’t seem to enjoy the experience.
In fact, guinea pigs have a strong aversion to water, and there are several reasons.
- Guinea pigs are naturally clean animals and they spend a lot of time grooming themselves. As a result, they don’t need to be bathed as often as other pets.
- They also don’t like the way the water feels on their fur, it can make them feel uncomfortable.
- Also, guinea pigs are prey animals, and they instinctively know that water makes them vulnerable to predators.
For these reasons, it’s best to avoid giving your guinea pig a bath unless absolutely necessary.
There are a few things you can do to make bath time less traumatic for your furry friend, especially if you are a first-time guinea pig owner.
Make sure the water is only lukewarm, guinea pigs have sensitive skin and can easily get burned by hot water.
Avoid using soap or other cleaning products, these can dry out their skin and fur.
Finally, be sure to towel dry your guinea pig as soon as they’re out of the water, and give them plenty of time to relax in their cage afterward.
Why do guinea pigs hate music?
Generally speaking, guinea pigs don’t seem to enjoy music. In fact, loud noises can be really stressful for them.
In fact, they also tend to huddle together when music is played, which suggests that they find it stressful. So why do guinea pigs hate music?
It is likely because the noise is too overwhelming for their sensitive ears. Centuries of evolution have allowed them to develop excellent hearing to perceive the faintest sounds of predators.
As a result, they are much more sensitive to loud noises than we are. So when we blast music, it can be really overwhelming and even painful for them.
Also, guinea pigs are very good at communicating their needs, so if you see your guinea pig huddling in a corner or trying to hide, it is probably a good idea to turn off the music.
However, some guinea pigs may enjoy music, so it is possible that your guinea pig might like some softer, calmer tunes. If you want to try playing music for your guinea pig, make sure it is at a low volume and see how they react.
Sounds that guinea pigs hate
As we mentioned above, guinea pigs hate loud noises, but let’s take a closer look at some of the specific sounds that they hate.
Whistling
Whistling is one sound that guinea pigs really don’t like. If you’ve ever tried to whistle at your guinea pig, you probably noticed that they immediately run in the opposite direction.
This is because the high-pitched sound is very jarring and unpleasant for them.
They also hate the sound of fingers tapping on their cage, which can be really annoying for them.
Sudden noises
Guinea pigs can hear between the range of 150Hz to 50,000Hz, which means they are very sensitive to high-pitched sounds.
As a result, sudden noises can be really startling and even painful for them.
That’s why it’s important to avoid making sudden noises around your guinea pig, such as clapping your hands or slamming doors.
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Yelling
Guinea pigs hate the sound of yelling, especially if it’s directed at them. This is because they interpret it as a sign of aggression.
Guinea pigs need harmony to feel safe and secure, they are herd animals, after all, and yelling can be really scary for them.
If you need to get your guinea pig’s attention, it’s best to use a soft, gentle voice.
Chattering
Guinea pigs use chattering as a warning to other guinea pigs, and it’s a sound that they really don’t like.
It usually means that they are feeling angry. They use it to intimidate other guinea pigs in order to mark their territory.
If you notice your guinea pig chattering, it’s best to give them some space.
Silence
I know, this one might seem a little bit strange. But guinea pigs actually hate silence.
This is because they interpret it as a sign of danger. In the wild, silence usually means that a predator is nearby.
But most commonly they hate it because guinea pigs are herd animals, which means they feel safest when they are around other guinea pigs.
If you have more than one guinea pig, it’s best to keep them in the same room so they can feel each other’s presence.
Do guinea pigs hate peppermint oil?
Guinea pigs have very sensitive noses, and the strong scent of peppermint oil can be overwhelming for them. So, If you’re using peppermint oil to deter your guinea pig from chewing on cords or furniture, then you should only use a very small amount, or avoid using it altogether.
Otherwise, you risk causing your guinea pigs discomfort and potentially causing respiratory problems.
Now, some guinea pigs may not mind a small concentration of peppermint oil, but if you notice your guinea pig sneezing or avoiding areas where you’ve used peppermint oil, then it’s best to remove the oil and try another method of deterring chewing.
However, if you’re thinking to use another type of oil, I have to warn you as these oils can be harmful to guinea pigs:
- Tea tree oil
- Citronella oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Oregano oil
- Thyme
These oils are very potent and should be avoided around guinea pigs. If you must use them, only do so in very small amounts and make sure the area is well ventilated.
As always, if you have any concerns about using peppermint oil or any other type of oil around your guinea pigs, please consult with your veterinarian.
But, what about the diffuser?
I get this question a lot, and the answer is diffusers are generally not safe to use around guinea pigs.
This is because diffusers release a fine mist of oil into the air, and your guinea pig can easily inhale this oil.
Inhalation of these oils can cause irritation to the respiratory tract and lungs, and in some cases can even be fatal.
Still, wondering why your guinea pig hates you?
There could be a number of reasons why your guinea pig seems to hate you. Maybe they’re just not used to you yet and need some time to warm up.
Or, it could be that you’re not handling them correctly. Guinea pigs are very delicate, and if you’re not careful, you can easily hurt them.
For example, guinea pigs don’t like to be picked up by the scruff of the neck like cats. Instead, you should pick them up from beneath their chest, using one hand to support their hind end.
If you’re not sure how to pick up your guinea pig correctly, ask your veterinarian or an experienced guinea pig owner for help.
Also, keep in mind that guinea pigs are prey animals, so they tend to be scared of sudden movements and loud noises.
How do you know if your guinea pig hates you?
There are a few different ways you can tell if your guinea pig doesn’t like you. The first way is by their body language.
If they are huddled in the corner of their cage, far away from you, this is a clear sign that they are not comfortable around you and may even be scared of you.
Another way to tell if your guinea pig hates you is by the way they interact with you when you try to pick them up or hold them.
If they squirm and try to get away from you, this means they don’t want to be near you. Finally, another way to tell if your guinea pig doesn’t like you is if they never make any noises when you’re around, such as squeaking.
That said, just because your guinea pig doesn’t like being held or doesn’t make any noise around you, doesn’t mean they hate you.
Some guinea pigs are just naturally shy and take a longer time to warm up to new people. So, don’t be discouraged if your guinea pig doesn’t seem to like you at first. Just keep trying and eventually, they’ll come around.
How do I get them to like me again?
There are a few different things you can do to try and win your guinea pig’s affection. The first thing you can do is try offering them some of their favorite foods.
Guinea pigs are very food motivated, so if you offer them a treat they may start to warm up to you.
Another thing you can do is try spending some time sitting near their cage so they can get used to your presence.
Can guinea pigs get mad at you?
While guinea pigs are not immune to experiencing strong emotions, it is unlikely that they will get “mad” at you in the traditional sense of the word. However, there are a few things that could potentially upset your guinea pig and lead to them reacting badly.
One reason why your guinea pig might get upset with you is if you neglect their needs.
Guinea pigs are social creatures that thrive on attention and interaction with their owners. If you regularly ignore them or fail to provide them with the attention they crave, they may become resentful.
Also, guinea pigs have very specific dietary needs and require fresh hay, vegetables, and water every day. If their nutritional needs are not being met, this can also lead to them feeling upset.
Why do guinea pigs hate being held?
Generally speaking, there are a few reasons why guinea pigs don’t like to be held. For one, they’re prey animals, so being held makes them feel vulnerable. Also, they’re not used to being picked up and held by humans, so it can be a scary experience for them.
That said, guinea pigs aren’t known to be particularly cuddly pets, so don’t expect them to enjoy being held all the time. Some guinea pigs may never really enjoy being held.
You will need a lot of positive re-enforcement to get your guinea pig used to being held.
Start by offering them their favorite foods while you are holding them.
Be patient and eventually they will come to trust you.
Why do guinea pigs hate being on their back?
As a general rule, it can be uncomfortable for them to be in that position. They may feel vulnerable and exposed when they’re on their back, which can make them feel anxious.
That said, they may simply not like the sensation of being upside down! If your guinea pig doesn’t seem to enjoy being on its back, it’s best to avoid putting them in that position.
Do guinea pigs hate the dark?
No. Guinea pigs are prey animals, as such, centuries of evolution have taught them to be alert and cautious during the day when predators are most active.
In fact, guinea pigs are more active at night than they are during the day.
For this reason, you may find that your guinea pig is more playful and active in the evening hours. This leads us to the next question.
How do I stop my guinea pig from being scared?
Guinea pigs are timid creatures by nature, so it’s not uncommon for them to be scared at times. That said, If your guinea pig is suddenly acting scared, there are a few things you can do to help put their mind at ease.
- Identify what might be causing them to feel afraid. If there is a loud noise or unfamiliar animal nearby, move them to a quieter location.
- If they’re scared of being held, try offering them a treat while you’re holding them. This will help them associate being held with something positive.
- Make sure they have a hiding place in their cage where they can go to feel safe. This could be a small cardboard box or a tunnel.
- Finally, try to avoid handling them too much. If they’re constantly being picked up and held, they may never feel truly relaxed in your presence.
Do guinea pigs hate the cold?
Guinea pigs hate cold, and they will often huddle together in groups to keep warm. If you live in a cold climate, it’s important to make sure your guinea pigs have a warm place to stay. Because they are exposed to cold weather for too long, they can become ill and even die.
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The lowest temperature they can tolerate is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything below that and you risk them developing hypothermia. So keep in mind that guinea pigs hate the cold and take measures to keep them warm if the temperature drops.
Final thoughts
In this article, I talked about some of the things guinea pigs hate.
We talked a lot about why guinea pigs hate being held, being on their back, and the cold.
But one question that often comes up with guinea pigs is, can they get high? I’ve seen it a lot around the internet, people wondering if their guinea pigs can eat weed or if they can get high from second-hand smoke.
In a recent article I wrote, I talked about how guinea pigs can’t get high. If you want to learn more about that, you can check out the article here.
