What Type Of Guinea Pig Should I Get?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • American/English guinea pig. Pros: • Friendly, laid-back, and easy to care for. ...
  • Abyssinian guinea pig. Pros: • Friendly, affectionate, and eager to learn. ...
  • Skinny pig. Read more: How long do guinea pigs live? ...
  • Teddy guinea pig. Pros: • Distinctive appearance with a cute, wiry coat. ...
  • Peruvian guinea pig. Pros:

How many varieties of guinea pigs are there?

You may not have known that there are 13 species of guinea pigs, and they all have their share of unique characteristics. Learn more about each of them below, and make sure you know which one you’re going for before adopting a guinea pig.

What are the seven varieties of guinea pigs?

According to ADW, there are 13 commonly recognized types or breeds of guinea pig: American, American satin, Abyssinian, Abyssinian satin, Peruvian, Peruvian satin, silkie, silkie satin, teddy, teddy satin, texel, coronet and the white crested .

What are 4 varieties of guinea pigs?

The American (short-haired), the Abyssinian (rough-coated), the Peruvian (long-coated), and the Sheltie/Silkie (also long-coated) are the breeds most frequently seen as pets. Besides the Silkie, they also historically form the core breeds in the competitive showing of guinea pigs.

What is the rarest guinea pig breed?

The White Crested guinea pig is perhaps the rarest breed of guinea pigs. They are predominantly golden in color and come in various coat types. Grooming is easy as they have very short hair.

Are girl or boy guinea pigs nicer?

Generally speaking, guinea pig pet parents have found that male guinea pigs tend to be a little more confident or bolder than females . This can sometimes lead to training males and being able to handle them a little easier than their shyer counterparts.

What is the friendliest type of guinea pig?

Guinea pigs make amazing pets to people of all ages and children. While many guinea pig breeds are outgoing and like to interact with their owners, Abyssinian guinea pigs are the friendliest of the bunch.

Do guinea pigs stink?

In a nutshell, guinea pigs shouldn’t smell . If they are giving off an unpleasant odour, it’s usually a sign that the cage isn’t clean, their diet is wrong, they’re sick, or they’re struggling to groom themselves. Also, boars may smell more than sows because of an oily buildup around the grease gland.

Do guinea pigs bite?

Guinea pigs are docile animals, and rarely bite without cause . They tend to ‘mouth’ their owners while being held, just to see if you’re edible! These are not hard bites, though, and don’t hurt. ... Guinea pigs only use their teeth aggressively if they feel under threat – they are their only means of defence.

What is the smartest breed of guinea pig?

The crested guinea pig is the rarest and the smartest breed of a guinea pig. It’s also shyer than the rest of its kind. Moreover, it has quieter personalities and tends to hide more. Despite the fact of being quiet, it’s the best choice for training tricks and other fun behaviors.

Can two male guinea pigs be in the same cage?

Can you put male Guinea Pigs in the same cage? Yes, as long the cage is big enough for two cavies . Guinea Pigs are social animals and housing them together can prevent loneliness. When they first meet or move in together they may need to assert dominance.

Do female guinea pigs have periods?

Females can have estrous or fertile periods at any time of the year , but they are most common in the spring. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 hours, most often during night hours. Female guinea pigs begin a new estrous cycle shortly after giving birth.

What is the most expensive breed of guinea pig?

Alpaca Guinea pigs are rare and highly prized

Alpaca Guinea Pigs are extremely rare and can fetch a high price on the market. Many people consider Alpaca guinea pigs one of the most attractive breeds because of their long, thick, curly hair and sparse rosettes.

Will guinea pigs cuddle with you?

Guinea pigs love to cuddle . ... Some animals may be more cuddly than others and if you want your guinea pig to be as affectionate as possible you need to handle it carefully.

Do guinea pigs laugh?

Admittedly it sounds like a laugh but it is not a response to humour. Similarly, guinea pigs are known to ‘chuckle’ and when parrots ‘laugh’ they are merely immitating sounds they have previously heard.

Do guinea pigs like to be held?

Guinea pigs are social animals and enjoy human interaction , including petting, stroking and playing. However, it’s important you learn how to handle your guinea pig correctly to avoid any injuries. It’s not uncommon for guinea pigs to be skittish around their owners.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.