Guinea Pigs for Pets: Are They Loud? Can They Damage My Hearing or Worsen Tinnitus?

I put a deposit down for 2 guinea pigs for my kids. I assumed these would be a quiet animals which is why I went for them. I now have been told they can actually be quite noisy! Has anyone here had experience with them? I’d rather pull the plug now before they arrive and find a different animal to bring home!

 

They can be noisy yes, e.g., when they hear a sound that they relate to getting food, but not super loud.

 

I can definitely recommend fish. Very quiet; you'll only hear the bubbler going at night.

 

@Mr Joel, you are kidding?

 

This all depends on how sensitive your ears are.

 

Why would I be kidding? Go on YouTube and type it in. They sound very high pitched and loud at times.

 

Ok... maybe it won’t be to bad and I’ve been misinformed. The last thing I want is to actually get them and then not be able to tolerate the high pitched noises.

Considering a rabbit instead!

 

What are the odds you bringing up Guinea pigs (as test subjects) in the Michigan thread and another member here makes a thread about Guinea pigs as pets on the same day? Lol.

 

I would go w/ a cat, but make sure you pick one out that is friendly. Maybe get one on death row from a local pound and do a good deed while you're at it. Cats do meow, but it's not loud at all. I've found them to be fun and loyal companions, they're devilishly smart too. Some folks have allergies (as do some cats), but the short hair cats don't make people react as badly as the long hair ones.

We had a rabbit for a while. They fall into my category of "doorstop pets". Not a lot of interaction or personality, they prefer to sit around and munch on a carrot. Cats DO like interaction, the older ones get more like couch potatoes until they see something scurry somewhere, then they're highly awake. My last cat slept between my wife and I for 8 years, while her sister slept on her own bed in the spare bedroom. They're like mischievous children, although Sissy the cat was more like my best friend and a LOT less upkeep than the wife! Nicer too when you get down to it.

 

@ZFire, I actually thought that lol. Hopefully they don't start cutting up the guinea pig looking for the DCN.

 

Your guinea pigs are not going to be an issue noise wise.

My opinion as someone who has had rabbits, cats, guinea pigs etc.

A dog, on the other hand, would be concerning.

 

Thanks. That’s exactly why I’ve had to look elsewhere. I’d love a dog but there is no chance I’m going to risk it with how sensitive my ears are!

 

I recommend cats as well. Self cleaning and they don't need a walk 3 times a day.

 

I feel one of the most important things, is to look at your lifestyle and children's personalities to select the best type of pet. I agree with @momus to adopt them from a shelter. There are also some quiet family friendly dogs too, such as the laid back pugs, golden retrievers, labs. Older cats/dogs seem to be the quietest.

 

Some good rabbit videos here. Not doorstop pets!

Two Dumb Buns & a Cat

“This channel is for our dumb (smart) buns (bunnies) Sawyer the Holland Lop and Muffin the Netherland Dwarf as well as Squeak the cow-hocked black cat. Of course the name “Dumb Buns” is a joke. They are actually very smart bunnies.”

Bunnies on a Thursday in March + a Cat