Most people believe that Guinea pigs are emotionally and mentally attached to their owners and have a good sense of smell to recognize their owner, guinea pigs even miss their owner once he is not around. But the question is
Do guinea pigs miss their owners?
Yes obviously, for a Guinea pig, his owner is a lifeline and supportive tool. You provide them with love, care, and protection, you fulfill their nutritional requirements. Being social creatures guinea pigs also need care and interaction with their owners, other human beings, guinea pigs, and their surroundings. They can smell and probably remember their owner by their scent which is a clear sign that guinea pigs miss their owners.
However, much research was not available but I did critical research as well as having these cute furry friends lead me through the guinea pig’s journey to understand the psychological nature and behavior of guinea pigs and got my answer do guinea pigs miss their owners?
Here you can also read 12 Best Tips For How To Make Your Guinea Pig Love You Again and address their dominance issue.
8 Clear Signs That Your Guinea Pigs Miss You!
Vocalizations: Guinea pigs vocal wheeking (a cute guinea pig noise) or chirp once their owner is around or returns after some break which means the guinea pig is seeking attention or expressing excitement by making such noises and making a clear sign guinea pigs miss their owners.
Increased Activity: Another sign guinea pigs miss their owners is that guinea pigs would be more active than usual once missing their owner, looking anxiously here and there and moving in the cage to explore for their owner.
Restlessness: Guinea pigs miss their owners might be the symptoms of anxiety and eagerness in the cage which can occur especially once the owner interacts with them.
Changes in Eating Habits: Some guinea pigs may demonstrate a change in eating habits, either more or less that may be due to emotional change and stress which also may be the sign guinea pigs miss their owners.
Seeking Attention: Guinea pigs may actively seek more attention from their owner that misses whether through more interactions and roaming around their owner or when the owner is nearby while approaching closer making guinea pigs miss their owners.
Lethargy: In contrast, some guinea pigs may develop a sluggish or quiet nature, showing an insensitivity in activities they typically enjoy or have the habit of doing with their owners for the sake of guinea pigs miss their owners when they adopt such behavior.
Social Interaction: As we know now Guinea pigs are social animals, and an obvious change in their interaction with cage mates or owners could lead to expressive sorrow or a desire for more social contact in their surroundings making it a clear sign that guinea pigs miss their owners.
Behavioral Changes: Any sudden changes in behavior, such as whacking too much, hesitancy to come out of hiding spots or places like under the bed or table, or avoiding human interaction, could be indicative of anxiety and eagerness that may be caused by guinea pigs miss their owners.
Do Guinea Pigs Get Emotionally Attached To Their Owners?
Being a social creature, Guinea pigs are known for their emotional attachments to their owners may be the reason why guinea pigs are called such pets, they can develop strong bonds with those who care for them leading guinea pigs miss their owners when they are not around. Guinea pigs may not express emotions as humans do but here are some signs that show a guinea pig may be emotionally attached to its owner:
Recognition: Guinea pigs have a good sense of recognizing their owner’s scent, voice, and even appearance and respond very strangely to the presence of their owners once compared to other people This makes guinea pigs miss their owners when they are out for a long time and get them emotionally attached with them.
Affection Behavior: Many guinea pigs indicate their affection by gently nibbling, nuzzling, or licking their owners to show guinea pigs miss their owners. They may also cuddle once on a lap or may follow their owner around the cage.
Excitement: When the owner interacts with his guinea pig, may display signs of excitement by popcorn-like jumps or rapid movements to make its owner feel love and affection.
If you are considering guinea pigs to adopt then be ready to pay them love and affection. This creature requires lots of human closeness to prosper.
Can Guinea Pigs Recognize Their Owners?
Guinea pigs may not identify as humans do, but they have a strong sense of bonding and affection to recognize their owners, they can distinguish their owners and unfamiliar people based on various sensory cues which include scent recognition, voice recognition, visual recognition, association with positive experience, routine, and consistency making a clear sign for guinea pigs miss their owners.
Being social guinea pigs like to play and interact with their owners, so they may recognize and miss their owner once not around, this might be due to how close the bond between the guinea pig and the owner is. Be prepared and ready to have a loyal, compassionate, and loving companion as a pet if you are considering having a pet like a Guinea pig.
Can Guinea Pigs Experience Separation Anxiety?
The answer is yes! Guinea pigs have the characteristics to form a social bond with their owner and cage mates due to which they can experience a form of separation anxiety when Guinea pigs are separated from their buddies or feel any change in their environment leading guinea pigs miss their owners.
Common signs that Guinea pigs can adopt once face separation anxiety may include the:
Appetite changes: Guinea pigs may feel a loss of appetite or overeating which can be a sign of stress to these pets.
Aggression: Guinea pigs may show aggressive behavior towards their owner as well as cage mates due to separation anxiety which may be a sign your guinea pig hates you.
Health Issues: It can affect the immune system of guinea pigs under stress, making them more susceptible to health issues.
Hiding: Some Guinea pigs may hide in shades or spots to find a lonely place under stress. In that case, you must ensure Guinea pigs have safe and comfortable hiding spots in their cage.
If you notice persistent signs of stress or anxiety, consulting with a veterinarian who specializes in exotic pets can be beneficial.
What Guinea Pigs Need from Their Owners?
Guinea pigs, like any pet, have specific needs that must be ensured by a responsible owner to ensure the well-being of these pets. Here’s a list of what guinea pigs need from their owners:
1. Human Attention
Even though Guinea pigs enjoy the presence of other Guinea pigs, Human attention is equally important for their happiness and comfort. Being a good owner, you must spend ample time interacting with them daily, gently handling them, quality interplay, and guinea pigs like belly rubs and cuddling.
If you are just bearing in mind the awareness of owning guinea pigs, it’s recommended that you own at least two pigs for companionship due to their social nature so that they can have a good time with each other when guinea pigs miss their owners.
2. Observation and Understanding:
It is important to understand the needs and preferences, owner must pay attention to their body language and behavior. Observe the change if any like eating habits, signs of illness, or activities.
3. Types of Interplay
Interacting and playing with guinea pigs can enhance the bonding between owner and their Guinea pigs which becomes a delightful experience. Here are some enjoyable ways to engage with Guinea pigs:
- Petting and Cuddling: Gently petting their back or stroking along their sides and cuddling in a soft blanket or lap is often enjoyed by Guinea pigs.
- Grooming sessions: Regularly checking the nails trimming them and brushing your Guinea pigs’ fur gently with a soft brush may create a sense of grooming.
- Piggy lap time: providing a cozy blanket, and spending quality lap time with your guinea pig on your lap would rest them.
- Mirror play: Some Guinea pigs enjoy looking at themselves in a small and safe mirror, the owner may try to place the mirror in a secure spot for them.
- Floor time: Guinea pigs enjoy the open floor time by placing tunnels, hideouts, and toys. Allow them a supervised and secured enclosed area to encourage exploration and play.
Also read 18 Key Points About Guinea Pigs including History, Behavior, Nature and Health
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How long can a guinea pig remember their owners or something?
Guinea pigs remember their owners and things for a certain duration, their memory is not infinite and may fade over time. Exact duration may vary among individuals and factors like regular positive interactions and consistent environment lead guinea pigs miss their owners.
As a responsible Guinea pig owner, a trustworthy relationship and reinforcing positive memories for your guinea pig may be built through providing consistent care, positive interaction, and a safe environment.
Do guinea pigs get sad when you leave?
For sure, guinea pigs miss their owners, once you see the signs of distress or loneliness when the guinea pig’s owner leaves, which indicates that they may miss routine and bonding with the owner.
As a social creature Guinea pigs may adopt a new environment and a new situation or a new home after some time and get habitual to a new owner or home.
How long can guinea pigs go without their owner?
Guinea pigs benefit from proper care and regular interaction, while it would be technically difficult for them to survive without their owner alone at home even if provided with enough food or water.
Extended periods without attention can create stress eagerness and loneliness, so it’s well recommended that if you have a pet like a guinea pig, then ensure to have someone check on them regularly or lend your pet to someone responsible for that time, if you are away for an extended time.
