Pavlov’s Guinea Pigs

I’ve had a riot with my Guinea Pigs this week, because I have discovered that my little Pringle has an incredible behavioural trait.
Much like Pavlov’s dogs we have observed that Pringle squeals very loudly when she hears the sound of a knife on the chopping board.  Her hearing must be quite exceptional as this activity takes place in the kitchen and not in the main living area.

For example, this evening Pringle had been squealing at Julie, mainly because she responds to these cute little cries for attention by feeding her something, like carrot or cucumber.   However this evening we’d been ignoring her, because I’m trying to get her to eat her guinea pig nuggets.  We tried them on Guinea Pig muesli but they kept picking out the bits they liked and chucked the rest all over the place.

Anyway, as an experiment (or for giggles) this evening I thought I’d try making a chopping sound from the kitchen.  Sure enough upon hearing the sound of the knife against the chopping board, the squeals from the lounge immediately started.  It was so funny!  When she stopped I banged the knife once again on the chopping board and sure enough the squealing began again.

In the end Julie caved in and chopped up some cucumber and put it in their bowl.  It seemed to have the effect of getting them to eat their nuggets too, so it worked out quite well.

It is so hard not to anthropomorphise them, as they have such unique little behaviours.  Twiglet is generally laid back and chilled out, unless she’s handled and then she tries to snuggle up around your neck.   Pringle on the other hand squeals for food all the time, and has this air of knowing she’s “All that”.  If she could speak, I can imagine her saying, “Get me some cucumber and I mean now!”
When they play they both go bounding all around their cage at high velocity in a sort of figure of 8 routine.  In the sleeping area, up around the litter tray, and through the hollowed out log and back again.  They are in fact completely mental at times, and such entertaining pets.
I love my guinea pigs!