Abyssinian guinea pig
Abyssinian guinea pigs, otherwise known as the rosette, have a very specific appearance. They have a long body, a wide head and a short face. The ears fall to the ground and are shaped like petals. Some Abyssinian guinea pigs even have whiskers of hair around their nose!
There are no flat or smooth patches anywhere on the Abyssinian guinea pig’s hair, they are popularly liked for their unique, rough and “rosette” fur.
These guinea pigs have 8-10 rosettes that appear in pairs along the length of their body, as well as on their shoulders, back, hips, and bottom. Their hair shapes their bodies oval and can grow up to 4 cm in length.
Abyssinian guinea pigs are available in single color varieties as well as in several color blends, with the most popular colors including: Brindle, Roan, Tortoise, Solid Red, Black, or White. There is also a racial variant called the “Abyssinian Satin” guinea pig, which have the same appearance as the Abyssinian, but have a shiny “satin” glow.
Abyssinian guinea pigs as pets
Abyssinian guinea pigs are perfect for families with children or for any guinea pig owner who has a pet for the first time.
By nature, Abyssinian guinea pigs are sociable, affectionate, and love their owners’ attention! With some care and training, they can become a very friendly and loving pet.
These guinea pigs enjoy spending time with people so much that many of them enjoy resting on their owners’ laps.
Health of Abyssinian guinea pig
This breed of guinea pig is very prone to eye problems like cataracts and small eyes. For this reason, it’s important to watch your Abyssinian pet closely and pay attention to warning signs such as changes in the appearance of their eyes.
Slackness can often lead to blindness, so it’s important to check your pet with a reputable vet if you suspect any eye problems or notice changes.
Abyssinian guinea pigs have a higher risk of developing diabetes than many other breeds – for this reason, it is important to make sure you feed your guinea pig the correct mixture of healthy foods and limit the amount of “sometimes” foods and treats you give them.
This breed is also prone to ovarian cysts.
Abyssinian guinea pig breeding
When breeding an Abyssinian Guinea Pig, it is important not to breed mixtures. Roan-furred Abyssinians have a gene associated with genetic deformities.
Keep a guinea pig
It is important to provide your Abyssinian guinea pig a safe home. Whether you decide your pet will live outside or inside, you need to carefully consider where you will place its house / cage.
Their home should be positioned so that it is sheltered from extreme weather conditions and has access to sun, shade and fresh air all day long. For example, in the case of guinea pigs, don’t put their house with the window closed – because on a very hot, sunny day, they won’t be able to escape the heat.
For outdoor guinea pigs, make sure their cage is placed in a location that receives both sun and shadow during the day and is not exposed to high winds.
Transporting a guinea pig
Before you bring your guinea pig home, you may want to spend some time considering how to transport it – not only for your first trip home, but for future journeys as well. You must be prepared to transport your guinea pig for trips to the vet or for temporary accommodation when you go on vacation.
Frame selection
When choosing a cage for your hairy Abyssinian friend, it’s important to try and choose the largest cage possible. A larger cage gives your pet plenty of room to move freely, run and play. The cage for one guinea pig should be at least 60 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm.
Abyssinian guinea pig exercises
It is very important that all guinea pigs exercise. The best way to give your guinea pig enough space to play and exercise is to get the cage as large as possible and tie it to the outdoor guinea pig track. The guinea pig track is easily attached to their cage on a permanent or occasional basis.
The guinea pig track is also great for supervised playtime. A good guinea pig track will be portable, lightweight, easy to open / close and secure, and easy to set up and take off.
Abyssinian guinea pig care
What does the guinea pig rosette eat?
Unfortunately, this breed of guinea pig is prone to diabetes, making it very important to follow its diet properly. Provide them with plenty of fresh vegetables, grass, and / or hay with thyme to eat. Make sure you speak to your local vet or pet expert to find out what foods they can and cannot eat, unfortunately some vegetables can make your guinea pig very sick.
Hay for the guinea pig
These pigs love to bury themselves in hay to sleep (when not eating it). Hay with thyme is recommended because it has a higher nutritional value than other types of hay.
Cleanliness
A regular cleaning schedule will ensure that your guinea pigs’ home is a safe and healthy space. Be prepared to thoroughly clean the guinea pig house at least once a week and replace the hay with fresh ones. Remember that harsh chemicals can harm pets, so don’t use household cleaners. Make sure you maintain their home daily by adding fresh water and removing uneaten foods.
Relationships – is it worth combining several guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs love their company, it is beneficial to keep more than one guinea pig to meet their social needs. It is also important that at least one of its owners is often at home and spending time playing with their Abyssinian guinea pig.
Fun for guinea pigs
Abyssinian guinea pig loves to chew things up and hide in small spaces. Safe items to chew include undyed / unhardened wooden chewing blocks and certain vegetables. You can also add fields or tunnels where they can hide.
How much is the guinea pig rosette?
The price of a guinea pig rosette can range from PLN 50 to PLN 300. Some people prefer to buy guinea pigs from breeders. You can also take your guinea pig from a shelter or just buy it (or his) at a pet store. You can also check your local classifieds ads to see if there is anyone who is no longer able to care for their pet and wants to give it to a good home.
How long does the guinea pig rosette live?
As a general rule, guinea pigs often live between 5 and 6 years. Of course, it depends on the way they are looked after, their diet, lifestyle and genetics.
