Can Noise Scare A Guinea Pig To Death? (You Need To Know)

You probably know that guinea pigs are very sensitive pets who need utmost care. Noises are a part of our day-to-day lives and we are used to them to some extent. However, is it the same for guinea pigs? Can noise scare a guinea pig to death? 

Yes, loud and sudden noises can scare a guinea pig to death, but this only happens rarely. Loud noises are more likely to shock and stress out guinea pigs. Since, guinea pigs are prey animals, they have very good hearing to be on the alert in case of danger. So when they hear a loud noise out of nowhere, it hurts their sensitive ears and stresses them out.

Keep reading to learn the dangerous effects of loud noises and how you can protect your little fuzz spud from them.  

Can Noise Scare A Guinea Pig To Death?  

Yes, sudden loud noises have led to the death of guinea pigs. The noise triggers extreme stress in the guinea pigs causing them death through a heart attack. But, the noise is more likely to shock and stress out your guinea pigs.

Well, I wanted to find out about some real-life experiences from pet parents. So, I manually surveyed 120 pet parents to know what impact loud noise had on their guinea pigs. 

• 44 (37%) of the guinea pigs were scared into shock by fireworks. Most of the incidents happened during the 4th of July celebrations. In some cases, it was neighbors who set off fireworks. Many of the pet owners were not aware of the harmful effects of noise on guinea pigs. 
• 31 (26%) of guinea pigs were scared into shock by thunder. Many pet parents found their piggies terrified during thunderstorms. Some took measures to calm down their piggies. They closed the windows and the curtains and wrapped up their guinea pigs. 
• 16 (13%) of guinea pigs were scared of loud barks by dogs. Piggie’s parents reported that their little babies were absolutely terrified of dogs. Even a simple encounter would scare them. The loud barks sent some cavys into shock. 
• 8 (7%) of guinea pigs were terrified of loud noise from tv. Whether from ads or horror movies, some pet parents reported that their guinea pigs went into shock. They were startled by the loud noise and some rushed into their huts to hide. 
• 6 (5%) of guinea pigs were scared by music. Although many parents reported their guinea pigs loved listening to music. There were some who didn’t enjoy music. They would get anxious when music was played. In some cases, even phone ringing was enough to scare the piggies.  
• 6 (5%) of guinea pigs were scared of vacuum noise. Vacuuming noise is generally scary for many pets. Guinea pigs are very small and are prey animals so some get terrified of vacuuming. Some pet parents said his piggie ran circles around the cage after hearing vacuum noise. 
• 3 (2%) of guinea pigs were scared by loud traffic. The occasional honking scared some guinea pigs into shock. In one case, some guinea pigs were scared of the recycling truck when it came around. 
• 5 (4 %) of guinea pigs were scared of other ranges of loud noises. This included dropping a metal plate, loud sneezes, loud bursts of laughter, and making popcorn. Some of this noise was unavoidable from usual chores within the house. 

In some cases, the guinea pigs died from shock after hearing a loud noise.

But, this only happened in 1 case out of the 119 people that I surveyed. This tells me that it’s possible for a guinea pig to die from a loud noise but it’s rare.

Have you had your guinea pig for a while and you STILL aren’t getting the love from your fur babies? Take a look at Why is My Guinea Pig Still Scared of Me? (The Alarming Truth)

The shock from the sudden noise seemed to have caused the guinea pig’s hearts to give out.  

 Here are a few highlights from my survey:

• Reaction to loud noise varied from one guinea pig to another. Some didn’t mind it while others were under extreme stress. 
• In the cases where piggies didn’t die, they were seriously freaked out for different amounts of time. Several guinea pigs ran circles around their cage after hearing a loud noise or refused food for hours. 
• One guinea pig refused to go back into its cage after a loud noise from the nearby road. Piggie’s parents had to change its cage and move it.  
• Guinea pigs flinch when they hear a loud noise. The response is immediate and they tense up.  
• Some piggies loved music and other white noises while others were very sensitive to it.  

Some parents had seen how their pets reacted to loud noises. So, they developed ways to reduce stress. Here are a few methods they adopted; 

• Many pet parents moved their piggies’ cages away from the source of the noise. They moved them to the inner rooms that were less noisy. 
• Some parents played soothing music to their guinea pigs. One played a classical piece on cello. 
• Some cuddled them until they calmed down 
• Others talked to the softly 
• Others wrapped them in warm blankets to make them feel safe 
• Other pet parents opened the cages and let their guinea pigs find a hideout for themselves.  

Bottom line?

Even though the odds of your guinea pig dropping dead from the sound of a sudden, loud noise are slim. The shock of hearing a loud noise can cause your guinea pig serious stress.

And shock – quite often – CAN kill guinea pigs. So, it’s best to do what you can to reduce the noise around your cavies.

Are Guinea Pigs Sensitive to Noise?  

Yes, guinea pigs are sensitive to noise. You have to remember that guinea pigs are prey animals. Therefore, they developed a sharp sense of hearing to allow them to notice a predator coming. This keen sense of hearing makes them sensitive to noise.  

In fact, minor noises that we humans dismiss can sound very loud for your little furry friend. Even the TV or low music can be too loud for your guinea pig.  

Guinea pigs combine their sharp sense of smell and very keen hearing to make out what’s safe and what’s not. They also bond this way with each other and their pet parents.   

You should pay attention to how your pets react to noises in the house. If they are scared, you might need to adjust by turning off the noise or moving them away from it.

In some cases, people have had to put their phones on vibrate around their guinea pigs so that they don’t get scared (yep, some ring tones will freak out your guinea pigs).

Do Guinea Pigs Ever Get Used To Loud Noises? 

Yes, guinea pigs can get used to loud noises – as long as they’re not too loud and the noise is a familiar. sound in the household. In fact, more often than not, what kills many guinea pigs is the sudden noise, not the one they’re used to. Although constant loud noise can still stress out guinea pigs.

In the initial days you bring your fuzzy buddy home, they might get scared of the noise but they adapt. As long as the noise is tolerable and consistent, guinea pigs can tune out as background noise. They continue their lives even with the noise.  

The issue is sudden bursts of loud noises. If guinea pigs aren’t used to it, the unexpected noise will scare them. This fear is why loud noise kills guinea pigs.  

However, once your little friends get used to the loud noises, they easily adapt. You won’t have to worry about much after that. 

It’s important to note that loud noises can deteriorate a guinea pig’s hearing over time.  So, if you can avoid it, keep loud noises away from your little babies.  

How Can I Protect My Guinea Pigs From Fireworks? 

You can move your guinea pigs into the places in your house that are quieter. Wrap them up in a blanket to make them feel safe. If they’re okay with it, you can cuddle them.  

These are among the many ways to calm and protect your guinea pig from fireworks. Fireworks are one of the reasons many animals die. 

They get scared and some flee to the road and get into accidents. The noise is too much to handle for guinea pigs with an especially sensitive hearing.  

Here are some measures you can follow to protect your guinea pig from fireworks:

1. Move Them To A Secure Spot 

Move your guinea pig to a secure spot. This can be the corner of your house. Keep them away from windows and doors and draw the curtains. The spot should minimize the noise and help them relax.  

2. Add Some Hideouts 

The fear guinea pigs have is a survival instinct. So, they will feel much calmer and safer if they’re in a hideout. Make hideouts for them indoors. 

You can cut out cardboard to make an opening and make them into huts.  Make the hideouts as cozy as possible and add hay inside so that they can chew on it. 

You should also add their toys in there. They will feel safe and it will reduce their fear.

3. Reduce Loud Noise  

You can try to reduce the noise from the fireworks by closing the window and drawing the curtains. Then turn on white noise such as a fan, air conditioner, tv, or radio station (keep the volume as low as possible though).  

3. Talk To Your Guinea Pig 

One way to help your guinea pig feel safe during a thunderstorm or other loud noise is to talk to them in a calm, reassuring voice.

Explain what is happening and why there is nothing to be afraid of. Will your fur babies understand you? Of course not.

But, the soothing tone of your voice will definitely help to ease their fears.

Keep in mind, the best way to shield your piggie from noise-related stress is to move them somewhere away from the noise.

4. Provide Entertainment  

If your guinea pigs are spooked by loud noises, you can provide them with some entertainment to take their minds off of the commotion.

One option is to give them a treat ball filled with their favorite snacks. As they roll the ball around, the treats will fall out and give them something to focus on.

You can also try placing some toys in their cage for them to play with. Chew toys (like apple sticks or hay huts) are a good option, as they can help keep their teeth healthy while providing some distraction from the noise.

Whatever entertainment you choose, make sure it is safe for your guinea pigs and won’t cause them any harm. With a little effort, you can help ease your guinea pigs’ fears and make noise-related stress a thing of the past.

5. Play Soothing Music 

One way to help reduce a guinea pig’s fear of loud noises (at least for some guinea pigs) is to play soothing music for them. The music can help to distract them from the noise and make them feel more relaxed.

Plus, the music can help to mask the sound of the noise, making it less noticeable. There are a variety of different types of music that can be used, so it is important to experiment to find what works best for your guinea pig.

Classical music, jazz, and even some types of sound therapy have been shown to be effective in reducing stress in guinea pigs – some…but not all.

So if your guinea pig is feeling scared, try playing some calming music for them. It just might help to ease their fears.

6. Cuddle Your Guinea Pig 

This is a method many guinea pig parents use. Cuddling their cavies helped the guinea pigs to relax. You can combine cuddling with calm music and talk to them. It will work to calm your guinea pig.   

Remember that guinea pigs don’t like to be held for long periods. Also, if your furry potato doesn’t like cuddling, this could add to their stress. In this case, leave them in their cage.  

What Can Scare Guinea Pigs? 

Loud noises, other bigger animals, suddenly bursting into the room, shouting at them, suddenly grabbing them, and loud traffic.   

Loud Noises  

Sudden loud noises can be fatal for guinea pigs. They get shocked and some even die. The fear of loud noise can cause them extreme stress that their body can’t handle.  

You can minimize the noise in your house until your guinea pigs get used to it.  

1. Other Bigger Animals 

Guinea pigs aren’t just prey animals, they’re also very small. Just about every pet or domestic animal is bigger than them. Several guinea pigs have fainted and even died from a dog just nuzzling them.  

This is why you should keep your tiny fur babies away from dogs and rabbits despite all the cute videos on YouTube.  

2. Busting Into Rooms 

This can startle guinea pigs. Open the doors carefully and give your little fuzz spud a chance to expect you. This way they won’t get shocked.  

3. Suddenly Grabbing Them 

Despite their cuddly appearance, guinea pigs are one of the pets not too fond of being held. Guinea pigs are especially scared to be lifted high.  

Approach your guinea pig slowly and make sure they see you. Then crouch down to become smaller. After you carry them, you can sit on the floor to allow them to get used to you.  

You can place them in your lap. The closer they are to ground, the less scared your little fur babies will be.

What Happens When A Guinea Pig Gets Scared? 

When a guinea pig is scared, they freeze or run and hide. They also groom themselves, run circles in their cage, bite the bars of the enclosure, and drink excessively from the water bottle.  

Fear in guinea pigs also triggers the flight or fright response. However, the responses can vary from one guinea pig to the other.  

Here are ways that you can know if your guinea pig is scared; 

1. Freeze 

They could freeze in shock. In this case, you will notice your guinea pigs are pinned to one place. Fear can also make them unwilling to move.  

After the shock, ensure your piggie is moving as normal and is still healthy. If you notice any abnormalities or damage to the spine or legs, take them to the vet.  

2. Run And Hide 

As prey animals, guinea pigs might immediately seek shelter when they’re scared. They could hide in their huts or behind things in their enclosure. You will notice that they might even refuse to come out for a while.  

3. Overgroom Themselves 

One of the ways guinea pigs manage their fear is through excessive grooming. If you notice this, it might mean your guinea pig is scared. They might isolate as well.  

4. Running Circles In Their Enclosure 

Extreme stress from fear can cause your piggie to run in circles. This is usually a sign they’re under too much stress and you need to take measures to calm them down.  

5. Biting The Bars Of Their Enclosure 

When piggies are scared, they can bite the bars of their enclosures. It’s usually a sign of distress in your little friend. If you notice this, it can mean they’re nervous or hungry.  

6. Excessively Drink From The Water Bottle 

Scared guinea pigs can sometimes drink excessively from the water bottle. Guinea pigs also use drinking from a water bottle as a way to call on their pet parents.  

All the above signs can tell you if your little fur baby is scared. Then you can take the appropriate measures to calm them down. Remember that fear can be very dangerous for guinea pigs.  

Things To Remember About Noise Scaring A Guinea Pig To Death 

• Not all guinea pigs are the same. Some guinea pigs are more affected by loud noise than others.  
• Sudden loud noise can kill guinea pigs. So, avoid making sudden noises near your guinea pig enclosure.  
• If your guinea pigs are outdoors when there is loud noise such as thunder or fireworks, move them indoors. 
• Watch out for behaviors that show your guinea pig is under extreme stress from the loud noise.