Guinea Pigs: Breeds,  Features to Look for, and Breeding Information. Cage Size and Possibility of Breeding Guinea Pigs Free-Range at Home.

When we talk about  guinea pigs  we are referring to the species  Cavia porcellus , also known as the “pet guinea pig”. It is a very tender rodent, with strong sociable qualities. Only rarely  do guinea pigs scratch and bite and for this reason they are very popular pets.

If you are considering buying a  guinea pig , know that it is an animal that suffers from loneliness. Before wondering about the available breeds , know that it would be advisable to buy at least two specimens at a time, at least so they can keep each other company. How long does a guinea pig live ? Life expectancy improves when the animal is in company.

Guinea pig

This species is native to South America. It arrived in Europe precisely because it was appreciated as a pet, even though, in the twentieth century, it was widely used as a laboratory animal. The term “guinea pig” is still used today to indicate, in a generic way, a specimen used for laboratory experiments.

All  breeds  have a pear shape, with a very short neck, almost non-existent as well as the absent tail. The limbs are very short and have  four front toes  and only three hind toes. The toes are equipped with  nails  and pads. The nails of the  guinea pig  should be cut when too long.

The ears, regardless of the  breed , are small while the eyes are rather pronounced and of variable colour: black, blue or red.

Guinea Pigs: Breeds

All guinea pigs have the characteristics listed above, regardless of breed. They all have a body covered with a fur coat, but it is the length  and structure of this coat that determines the existence of four distinct breeds  .

The  most popular breed of guinea pig  is undoubtedly the Peruvian guinea pig . Of each breed, then, there are some particular selections where the difference is made by the livery of the coat and the size of the specimen. In fact, breeders have brought forward some specimens precisely to enhance certain characteristics. Based on the coat, the  breeds of guinea pigs are :

English

The English guinea pig is characterized by a smooth and short coat. It is generally called “short-haired guinea pig” or “short-haired guinea pig”. In fact, the coat is only 3 or 4 cm long. This specimen is recommended for those who want to raise a free-ranging guinea pig at home .

Peruvian Guinea Pig

The Peruvian guinea pig has  long hair . The length of the  Peruvian guinea pig  ‘s hair can even exceed 10 cm. For this reason, breeding  Peruvian guinea pigs  is recommended only for those who have a lot of time to dedicate to their pet. The hair must be cleaned and brushed for hygienic reasons and above all to safeguard the pet’s health.

Abyssinian

This  variety of guinea pig  has semi-long hair  , with a length of around 5-7 cm, it has hair with an intermediate length between the first two mentioned (Peruvian guinea pig and English guinea pig). The  Abyssinian guinea pig  is highly appreciated because in some areas the length of the hair is such that it makes the animal appear disheveled!

Hairless or naked guinea pig

If the English guinea pig is known as  the short-haired guinea pig , there is also a hairless variety  . It goes without saying that, due to the absence of hair, this guinea pig is not very widespread and appreciated. On its body the amount of hair is scarce or absent and so it appears with a pink skin.

Colored Guinea Pigs

The  coat  colors  are: white, black and brown. There are  “unicolor” guinea pigs,  that is, with a solid color coat (completely white, black or completely brown) or with colors associated with each  other to form particular patches.

How long does a guinea pig live?

Let’s get back to the question of  the lifespan of guinea pigs . As mentioned, life expectancies vary greatly based on the conditions of maintenance, the care given and also the diet.

How long does a guinea pig live? 
The average lifespan of this animal is estimated to be between 7 and 8 years.

Guinea pig cage dimensions

The guinea pig is not agile, it does not jump or climb… but despite this, its cage must allow it good mobility and above all good growth.

For a single specimen, the cage surface area must be  at least  60-70 cm squared ,  the surface area must be increased by 30% for each specimen added.