Guinea pigs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours. While all of them make great pets, there are a few guinea pig breeds that stand out from the furry crowd. Some call for extra support from their piggy pawrents, while others are so rare you might find it hard to ever see them in person.
Let’s take a look at the different species of guinea pigs, what their characteristics are, and their specific needs.
Satin Guinea Pigs
Satin guinea pigs have a unique shiny appearance, more visible around their noses and feet. This type of coat can appear on any guinea pig breed, and it’s usually something inherited from their piggy dad and mum. Their care is similar to that of any other piggy, but some satin guinea pigs can carry the gene for Satin Syndrome, requiring extra care and attention.
A guinea pig with Satin Syndrome is more prone to injuries in their bones due to their difficulty absorbing calcium. This can cause a variety of issues, from the inability to eat due to a weak jaw to increased tiredness, from pain to weight loss. For this reason, Satin guinea pigs with Satin Syndrome tend to have a shorter lifespan, usually around 2 years or less. Unfortunately, there is no cure, and piggy parents can only offer extra support and care to give them the best quality of life possible.
Argente Guinea Pigs
The Argente is another piggy that stands out with their unique fur. The Argente guinea pig has a ticked coat, showing off multi-coloured hair. Each hair on their body has two different colours, and their coats are usually a light shade of white or beige.
The best way to differentiate Argente guinea pigs from other breeds with ticked coats is by the eyes, which tend to have a pink hue. But not to be confused with the Himalayan guinea pig, which has pink eyes but a coat with no multi-coloured hairs!
(Image credit to Bumbora Cavy Stud)
Skinny Guinea Pigs
Skinny guinea pigs are a variety of guinea pig species without any hair, except for a little patch of fur on the nose, feet, and legs. They can still be found in different colours, except that no fur covers their body, even when they’re born! Skinny pigs require extra care due to their lack of hair, as they’re more sensitive to changes in temperature and infections. For that reason, it’s recommended that you house them indoors. If you have skinny guinea pigs, keeping on top of your cage cleaning routine is even more important to prevent bumblefoot or other skin issues!
There’s also another version of a hairless guinea pig breed known as the Baldwin. Baldwin guinea pigs are completely hairless and have the quirk of being born with hair, which they lose within a few months of birth. Despite this difference, they require just as much extra care as skinny guinea pigs since they don’t have any protective fur.
Santa Catarina Guinea Pigs
The rarest guinea pig species on the planet is the Santa Catarina, only found on a small island in Brazil named Moleques do Sul. Thanks to its lack of predators, this island makes the perfect habitat for the Santa Catarina guinea pig, where they can live off plenty of tasty greens!
Despite their lucky location, this guinea pig breed is considered endangered due to their small numbers (they estimate only 42 piggies on average on the island). Thankfully, Brazilian biologists have been working on monitoring this species of guinea pigs to ensure its longevity.
Lunkarya Guinea Pigs
Another rare guinea pig breed is the Lunkarya, loved for their easygoing nature and luscious locks of fur. While you don’t have to go to a remote island in Brazil to find them, these piggies rarely show up in shelters, especially outside of the Nordic countries where they originate.
If you do find them, keep in mind that Lunkarya guinea pigs are best suited for experienced guinea pig parents due to their high-maintenance fur, which requires regular grooming and attention. Long-haired guinea pigs make fantastic pets, but their untamed mane can get in the way of their quality of life—from impairing their movements to keeping their bottoms dirty, which can lead to infections. It’s recommended that any parents of long-haired guinea pigs groom their pets daily to prevent issues.
Other Unusual Guinea Pig Conditions
Outside of breeds and coat variations, there are a few unusual conditions that can affect the piggies you end up adopting. For example, your guinea pig might have an extra toe, also known as a ‘polydactyly’.
While this condition doesn’t call for concern, you should keep an eye on your piggy to spot if the extra toe affects their movements. If you notice that your floof is struggling to walk or walking unusually, talk to your vet. In some cases, it might be better to have the extra toe amputated to improve your guinea pig’s quality of life.
Another unusual type of guinea pig is ‘lethal whites’, a rare genetic condition that affects piggies from birth. Lethal white guinea pigs are usually born blind, deaf, with missing teeth, and a series of health issues that shorten their lifespan. However, lethal piggies still have plenty of love to give, and with the right support, they can still have a good quality of life!
What is a Self guinea pig?
A Self guinea pig is one with a single colour coat. So they’ll be completely black, white, or lilac, for example. They stand out as no other strand of hair will be of a different colour from the rest!
What is the friendliest breed of guinea pigs?
Skinny, Teddy, American, Peruvian, and Texel guinea pigs are considered some of the friendliest guinea pig breeds. However, every piggy is different, so you might find a sociable and cuddly friend in any other guinea pig breed.
Conclusion
Piggy parents are lucky to have plenty of options when it comes to the species of guinea pigs available. Some come with extra care needs while others are more rare to find, but one thing’s certain for all of them: they make wonderful pets. And they all deserve a spacious cage where they can thrive, and suitable bedding and accessories for their happiness and health.
If you’re ever unsure about a specific guinea pig breed, you can always ask your local shelter for advice during the adoption process. You’re never alone in the wonderful journey of piggy parenthood!
