Himalayan Guinea Pigs: Breed Data, Temperament, & Care

Himalayan guinea pigs are probably the most widespread in guinea pig reveals. They’ve white our bodies, pink eyes, and darkish factors on their nostril, ears, and toes. These cute guinea pigs are born all-white and develop their markings at a number of months of age.

On this article, we’ll focus on Himalayan guinea pigs, what they appear like, their temperament, and extra!

What do Himalayan Guinea Pigs Look Like?

Himalayan guinea pigs look just like Siamese cats. They’re white with darkish factors on the nostril, ears, and toes. 

The British Cavy Council describes the colours of those darkish factors as both jet black or “wealthy milk chocolate.” The official variations are known as black Himalayan or chocolate Himalayan. 

Black Himalayans are likely to have a brighter white coloring, whereas chocolate Himalayans is likely to be extra of an off-white coloration.

Apparently, a Himalayan’s coat coloration could change primarily based on local weather. In chilly climate, their our bodies are likely to grow to be extra pigmented, whereas their pigment can fade in very popular climate. 

After all, we wish to all the time home our guinea pigs in average temperatures—if it’s very popular or chilly the place you reside, your piggies ought to be saved in an indoor, temperature-controlled space. 

As a result of they’re albino, Himalayan guinea pigs have pink eyes. Child Himalayan piggies haven’t any darkish factors and are all-white. The factors develop by the point the guinea pig is a number of months previous.

How Huge do Himalayan Guinea Pigs Get?

Himalayan guinea pigs sometimes measure round 8-12 inches, the identical as most different guinea pig breeds. They weigh round 1.5-2.5 kilos, or 680-1130 grams.

It’s usually good for guinea pigs to weigh a bit greater than common, as they’ll drop weight in a short time after they grow to be ailing. Some further grams can maintain them going when you and your veterinarian determine what’s flawed!

So, don’t go placing piggy on a food regimen in the event that they weigh greater than listed above—typically, the one guinea pig meals you ever wish to limit is their pellets.

For those who do have a priority, speak to your veterinarian to find out what you have to be feeding day by day. It’s attainable you’re feeding too many sugary treats, reminiscent of fruit or carrots, and must substitute with extra darkish, leafy greens, for instance.

The right way to Groom a Himalayan Guinea Pig

Himalayan guinea pigs aren’t high-maintenance on the subject of grooming. They want their nails trimmed often, and brushing their coat round as soon as every week will assist to distribute oils, conserving it wholesome. Brushing the coat may take away particles that will get caught within the fur.

Don’t bathe your guinea pig except crucial, and not more than 3-4 occasions a 12 months. Some guinea pigs can go their complete lives with no tub! 

Temperament

Himalayan guinea pigs have the identical temperament as most guinea pigs. They’re prey animals, thus will be timid and scared of people. Some guinea pigs wish to be pet and held, whereas others favor their people look however don’t contact!

Guinea pigs favor to be approached from the aspect, reasonably than from above—as reaching into their cage from above mimics a hawk swooping them up from the sky.

The easiest way to a guinea pigs’ coronary heart is with meals! They’re continually consuming to maintain their digestive system transferring, and will be fairly food-obsessed.

Fortunately, guinea pigs are additionally fairly light creatures. Something with enamel can chew, particularly when startled or dealt with improperly. Nonetheless, guinea pigs are much less more likely to nip than most of the different rodents we maintain as pets.

The place Can I Discover a Himalayan Guinea Pig?

From a Rescue or Shelter

The most effective place to discover a Himalayan guinea pig is from a shelter or rescue. Although it’ll take extra trying, that is probably the most accountable method to undertake a brand new piggy.

For those who haven’t but, look into guinea pig-specific rescues in your space. They’ll be the most effective place to look, as they doubtless have tons of of piggies ready for brand spanking new properties!

Keep away from Pet Shops and Most Breeders

By no means undertake a guinea pig from a pet retailer, as they supply their guinea pigs from breeding mills. These are just like pet mills, however for different animals like guinea pigs.

Breeding mills put many guinea pigs collectively in tight enclosures, permitting them to breed at random. They don’t thoughts if animals die of their care—or in the event that they die in your care on account of poor genetics, being handled improperly as infants, or catching an sickness whereas of their crowded amenities.

Most Himalayan guinea pig breeders you’ll discover received’t be moral both. Sadly, it’s uncommon to discover a guinea pig breeder who is aware of what they’re doing and is in it for the betterment of the breed.

Even with good intentions, it’s straightforward to breed sick guinea pigs, maintain them in substandard circumstances, and even damage the mom whereas breeding her, if the breeder doesn’t know what they’re doing.

Discovering a Respected Himalayan Guinea Pig Breeder

Respected breeders are few and much between. I don’t typically suggest this as an choice, not as a result of I’m towards respected breeders, however since you’re most unlikely to seek out one–however you’re more likely to discover many yard breeders.

Respected breeders don’t breed many guinea pigs, they usually don’t revenue from breeding. It takes a passionate individual to place the time and care into breeding correctly, elevating child guinea pigs, and discovering them good properties.

Right here’s what to search for in a good Himalayan guinea pig breeder:

• A ready listing. It’s best to by no means have the ability to undertake a guinea pig same-day. Respected breeders discover properties for his or her piggies earlier than they’re born and have ready lists for potential adopters.
• They learn about guinea pigs. They need to be educated concerning the Himalayan breed, breeding guinea pigs, and elevating them. A good breeder follows and recommends correct care, reminiscent of correctly sized cages, a nutritious diet, and all the time conserving two or extra guinea pigs to satisfy their social wants.
• You’ll be able to meet them at house. The guinea pigs ought to be saved in an enough cage measurement of seven.5 sq. toes or higher, relying on what number of are saved in every cage. It ought to be clear with a considerable amount of recent hay obtainable always.
• They solely supply one breed. A breeder with two litters isn’t essentially a deal breaker—but when they’ve a bunch of breeds listed on an internet site, you’re undoubtedly not coping with a good breeder.

Take into account what number of guinea pigs they’ll correctly look after, together with massive cages, monitoring the piggies for indicators of well being issues, and vet prices! If it doesn’t really feel attainable, chances are high the guinea pigs aren’t correctly cared for.

• A return coverage. A good breeder will take a guinea pig again for any cause, at any level within the piggy’s life. They’ll make you signal a contract stating that, must you ever must rehome your guinea pigs, they go proper again to the breeder.
  This reveals that they care for his or her animals and don’t wish to see them left in a shelter!
• DNA testing. With out DNA testing, your breeder doesn’t know in the event that they’re breeding wholesome guinea pigs. They need to be checking for the satin trait, roan gene, and Dalmatian gene—all of which may trigger a piggy to cross down lethal genetic sicknesses. (Particularly, Satin Syndrome and deadly white guinea pigs).
  These traits are recessive, which means a guinea pig can have them with out showing to! 
• Well being data. Your breeder ought to see a veterinarian often—no less than annually for a wellness go to, and extra usually after they’re pregnant. They need to additionally have the ability to advise you on exotics veterinarian to carry your personal piggies to!

The place do Himalayan Guinea Pigs Come From?

Like all guinea pigs, Himalayan piggies originated in South America. Guinea pigs had been first bred for meat, however fortunately, Himalayans at present are principally bred as pets.

Though some individuals assume that Himalayan guinea pigs are from Asia, on account of their title, they’re really named for his or her similarities to Siamese cats (which are literally from Thailand).

Himalayan guinea pigs are cute as a button, similar to Rex, Texel, or every other guinea pig breed! If you wish to undertake, make certain to take action responsibly and never help unethical breeding. Anticipate comparable behaviors, food regimen, and lifespan to every other guinea pig breed.