Content
- Origin of the Abyssinian guinea pig
- Characteristics of the Abyssinian guinea pig
- Abyssinian guinea pig personality
- Care of the Abyssinian guinea pig
- Abyssinian guinea pig health
O Abyssinian guinea pig, also known as Abyssinian guinea pig, shares part of his name with the Abyssinian cat. We are also talking about one of the races more interesting and curious of guinea pigs. Along with the Peruvian guinea pigs, we have another of the long-haired breeds, though not as much as its Peruvian companion.
You should also know that some fans of the breed call them a "mill" or "swirl of fur" as their fur doesn't fall down or frayed, and each strand has a different orientation, giving these little pigs a scruffy and very cute look. In this article by PeritoAnimal, we will explain all you need to know about the Abyssinian guinea pig or Abyssinian guinea pig. Keep reading!
Source
- America
- Peru
Origin of the Abyssinian guinea pig
Abyssinian guinea pigs are from the Andes, and like most guinea pig breeds, this one spontaneously appeared in South America, but its exact appearance date is not recorded in any record. Due to your lovely looking, the breed became popular quickly, being distributed to many countries in a very short time, and today it is considered one of the most popular longhaired guinea pig breeds in the world.
Characteristics of the Abyssinian guinea pig
Abyssinian guinea pigs are a normal or medium sized breed with a generally weight between 700 grams and 1.2 kg. The body length of these little pigs varies between 23 and 27 centimeters. Their life expectancy is usually 5 to 8 years.
The coat of these piggies is relatively long, although it may seem short compared to that of the Peruvian guinea pig, because while the coat of Peruvians can have 50 cm long, that of the Abyssinians does not reach much length. The difference is that Abyssinian pigs have an average of 6 to 8 tufts or swirls, which makes the direction of the hair locks really varied. This makes that, although its fur is not very long, its volume is really noticeable.
The coat of Abyssinian guinea pigs can be of a wide variety of colors, with patterns such as brindle, spotted and roan, which are quite rare in most guinea pig breeds.
Abyssinian guinea pig personality
These curious guinea pigs differ from the rest of their companions by their personality. especially active, which can make them a little mischievous or restless, as their high doses of energy, if not well channeled, can lead to behavioral problems. This tends to be more frequent in males, especially those who are not sterilized.
Abyssinians are one of the guinea pigs smartest there are, something that many people who have adopted one of these piggies have already noticed, as many were able to teach them tricks and skills without much effort.
Care of the Abyssinian guinea pig
To prevent your guinea pig from exhibiting destructive behavior, you should allow it to leave the cage frequently so it can exercise and explore, although it is recommended that you do so under supervision at all times, especially the first few times. Likewise, you can prepare games and activities to stimulate your mind.
To keep your fur neat and shiny, it's necessary brush it daily, especially on the back, as this is where most knots usually form. It is recommended to use a special brush, with soft bristles, which respects the integrity of the hair fibers. In this breed, baths are not recommended, and should be avoided except in situations where they are extremely necessary.
The feeding of the Abyssinian guinea pigs, like that of the other guinea pigs, should be based on a quality ration, supplemented by fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a constant supply of clean water and hay.
Abyssinian guinea pig health
As a long-haired breed, Abyssinian guinea pigs are sensitive to high temperatures; therefore, when climatic conditions include high temperatures, ie too much heat, becoming extreme even for us, it is necessary to take a number of measures, such as adjusting your friend's diet, providing water-rich foods and ensuring they drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and prevent heat stroke.
In addition, guinea pigs, like humans, are not able to synthesize vitamin C on their own, so it may be necessary to supplement their diet with vitamin C-based nutritional supplements.
It is ideal to visit the veterinarian every 6 or 12 months to provide adequate preventive remedies and promptly detect any health problems. Likewise, you should follow the veterinarian's advice and go to him to prescribe medication and dewormers whenever necessary.