Rex Guinea Pig

With their short, thick, wavy coat and hedgehog-like appearance, the Rex guinea pig is an extremely popular pet. This guinea pig is known for its friendly, gentle, and calm temperament. They love to be held and petted, making them a great pet for children.

Its thick, spiky coat protects against moisture. It also has very rough whiskers. They are also available in long-haired and wavy-haired varieties. Rex guinea pigs come in a variety of color/pattern combinations, including brown, white, or agouti.

The Rex guinea pig requires special attention because its toenails grow very quickly. For this reason, they require more care than other guinea pigs. guinea pig breedsOn the other hand, their hair does not require as much care as other varieties.

Rex guinea pigs typically grow between 8 and 18 inches long and have fur no longer than 1/2 inch long. They look somewhat similar to Teddy the guinea pig, but Teddy has a much softer coat.

The Rex guinea pig lives for about 6 years, depending on the environment it lives in and the care it receives.

Rex Guinea Pig Diet

The Rex guinea pig has the same nutritional/dietary requirements as most other guinea pig breeds. Since they cannot produce vitamin C on their own, you should provide your Rex guinea pig with fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C to prevent health problems.

Your Rex guinea pig should be fed a mixed diet containing a variety of healthy, low-fat foods, including:

• Fresh vegetables
• Some fruits (especially rich in vitamin C, e.g. red peppers, coriander, kale)
• Fresh water (changed daily)
• Extra water on hot days
• Avoid foods high in carbohydrates as they can cause changes to the bacteria in your guinea pig's stomach.
• Note: Don't worry if your guinea pigs don't drink any water in the winter. If they get enough water from fresh vegetables and fruits, they may not need to drink water in cold weather.
• Good quality feed pellets: Make sure that the protein content of the pellets never exceeds the fiber content. A good feed pellet will contain 15-16% crude protein and at least 20% fiber (preferably more) and a low percentage of fat, preferably 1-2%. If possible, try to choose a feed with the highest fiber content.
• Timothy Hay: Also used for bedding, it can be part of a guinea pig's diet. Good timothy hay is essential in a guinea pig's diet, which consists of only vegetables and fruits. Important Note: Make sure the hay you use is not chemically treated and is safe for your guinea pig to eat.

Rex Guinea Pig Care

The Rex pig needs the same care as most other guinea pig breeds. They do not require any additional care other than more frequent toenail grooming.

For your Rex guinea pig, choose a cage that is as large as possible. The minimum dimensions for your guinea pig's home should be at least 0.5m x 0.25m high.

During the summer, make sure your guinea pig's home is in an area with plenty of shade from the sun, as they do not tolerate heat stress at all.

We recommend using a dripper type water bottle and adding at least 2 of these to the pet's cage. Sometimes these drink bottles get blocked, so we recommend having at least two. If possible, avoid using a water bowl as they can get dirty very easily and can be knocked over, leaving your pets without clean water to drink.

When making a guinea pig home, use materials such as shredded paper, straw, or hay, and change them often. Whatever material you use, make sure it has not been chemically treated and is safe for your Rex guinea pig to eat.

For playtime, add a few “hiding places” for your pet, such as overturned boxes. Add at least one hiding place for your guinea pig.

When grooming your guinea pig, keep in mind that the Rex breed may need their nails trimmed more often than other guinea pig breeds. Because their coat is short and rough, they don't need to be brushed as often as other breeds, but you should brush your Rex regularly.

Be alert to any potential health issues with your Rex guinea pig by seeking help from a qualified veterinarian if your pet exhibits any of the following symptoms:

• Coughing or open-mouth breathing
• Nose and/or eye discharge
• Wheezing
• Grown teeth
• Any skin problems, irregularities
• Changes in food consumption

Like most pets, guinea pigs benefit from regular checkups with your local vet to make sure their health is on track.