Have you been thinking of adopting a Peruvian guinea pig? Their long fur is gorgeous, but it can also be intimidating. Does this breed require special care, and what are Peruvian guinea pigs like?
We’ll dive into these answers and more in our guide to Peruvian guinea pigs. Learn about their personalities, grooming needs, and more.
What do Peruvian Guinea Pigs Look Like?
A Peruvian guinea pig’s defining characteristic is their coat. Their fur can grow long enough to reach the ground and then keep on growing! The fur on their backs parts down the center. They also have rosettes or swirls on their backsides, which create an even more unique look.
According to the British Cavy Council, Peruvian guinea pigs can be any color or combination of colors. This may include cream, gray, brown, white, orange, or black.
Other than these specificities, Peruvian guinea pigs look much like other guinea pig breeds. They’re naturally chunky creatures with oblong bodies and short legs. They have round eyes and long front incisors.
Peruvian Guinea Pig Personality
Peruvians are said to be bold with big personalities! However, there’s no evidence that breed has a big impact on a guinea pig’s personality.
Guinea pigs, in general, are docile animals. While they can bite, especially when mishandled, they typically won’t.
As prey animals, they’re skittish and take time to warm up to people. The best way to bond with them is to sit by the cage or on the floor with them, talk in a low voice, and entice them with food. Avoid sudden movements and don’t approach them from above, as this may remind them of being grabbed by a bird of prey.
How to Care for a Peruvian Guinea Pig
Image Credit: furbymama on Pixabay
Companionship
One of the most important aspects of keeping a happy guinea pig is companionship. Guinea pigs need to live with other guinea pigs in order to truly thrive.
New pet parents will find it easiest to adopt a bonded pair or trio, as guinea pig bonding can be challenging and requires knowledge of their behaviors. If you have a solo Peruvian guinea pig, consider working with a shelter or rescue to find them their best mate. Some allow for “speed dating” at the facility, while others will let you foster until you’re sure the guinea pigs will get along.
Cage Size
The minimum cage size for 1-2 guinea pigs, regardless of breed, is 7.5 square feet. Please keep in mind that this is the bare minimum and that more space is ideal. The United States Humane Society recommends 10.5+ square feet, while some pet parents recommend 12+ square feet.
Setting Up the Enclosure
Once you have the right-sized enclosure, the next step is filling it with everything your Peruvian guinea pig needs. This includes:
- Bedding: Reusable bedding such as fleece liners or chenille bath mats may work best for your Peruvian, as they’re washable, will save you money in the long run, and won’t stick to your guinea pig’s fur like disposable bedding might.
- Hay: Your guinea pig should never be without hay, even for a few hours. Choose a large hay rack or bag, or skip these and give them a hay pile to eat from and burrow in.
- Water: Most guinea pigs do best with water bottles, as bowls can get messy and spill easily. Aim for one water bottle per guinea pig.
- Hides and tunnels: Choose wooden or fleece items, as some guinea pigs chew plastic. Aim for at least one hide per guinea pig.
- Toys: Guinea pigs like toys that they can chew, roll, or throw.
Cleaning
Guinea pigs are messy animals, and keeping their cage clean is vital to their health and wellbeing. This is especially true of Peruvians with their long coats that drag along the cage floor.
Sweep the enclosure to remove stray poops and hay once to twice daily. During this time, you’ll also want to remove and replace any soiled bedding.
Full cage cleans include changing the bedding entirely and wiping down the bottom and sides of the cage. These should happen at least once to twice a week.
Diet
Peruvian guinea pigs have the same dietary needs as other breeds. This includes:
- Constant and abundant access to fresh grass hay, such as timothy hay or orchard grass
- 1 cup of fresh vegetables daily, consisting primarily of dark, leafy greens
- ⅛ cup of plain, timothy-based guinea pig pellets without seeds, dried fruits, or colorful pieces
- A source of vitamin C, such as bell pepper
Grooming
Keeping control of your Peruvian’s long hair can be a challenge. If kept long, it will need to be brushed daily with a comb to remove any tangles and prevent matting. A matted coat is painful and can cause skin issues such as infections.
Most Peruvian guinea pig owners trim their fur at least once monthly to keep it manageable. This might mean shaving it down to a couple of inches in length so that it doesn’t need to be brushed so frequently or simply trimming the edges so that it doesn’t drag on the floor and get messy.
Other grooming needs include cleaning their ears, trimming their nails, and bathing them as needed. It isn’t good for guinea pigs to be bathed frequently, so aim for a few times a year at most.
Peruvian Guinea Pig Health
Your Peruvian guinea pig should see their veterinarian once every six months to a year for a check-up. In addition, it’s important to keep an eye on their appearance, weight, and behaviors at home. When guinea pigs get sick, they go downhill very quickly, so it’s vital to catch illness early.
Common illnesses in guinea pigs include respiratory problems, dental issues, and digestive illnesses. Unspayed females are prone to ovarian cysts.
Skin issues are another concern that can be especially difficult to spot through a Peruvian’s long coat. When you brush your guinea pig, part the hair to look at the skin. Take note of any redness, flakiness, or other abnormalities. Check the coat itself for hair loss, dullness, or pests.
