Abyssinians are said to be one of the oldest breeds of Guinea Pigs, dating back to the 16th century. Today, they are one of the most popular breeds as both pets and show animals.
As with all Guinea Pigs, Abyssinians are herd animals and truly do best in pairs or groups (non-breeding boars do best in pairs, but sows can be kept in larger groups). If you're interested in getting an Abyssinian Guinea Pig, be prepared to get at least two of everything!
Appearance
At first glance, the Abyssinian Guinea Pig is easily distinguished from other breeds by their “swirly” hairdo. This is thanks to their rosettes, which are tufts of fur that turn outwards all over their body. On average, an Abyssinian will have 6-8 rosettes but they can have as many as 10! Their coat is short in length (1.5” long at most) and is very easy to manage and keep clean. An Abyssinian show Pig needs to have 10 rosettes: 1 on each shoulder, 4 across their saddle, 1 on each hip and 2 on their rump.
Abyssinians come in a wide variety of color and patterns including but not limited too:
Self - one solid color over the entire body (black, red, chocolate, ect) Tortoiseshell - red and black patches Tortoiseshell and White- red, white and black patches Roan- color with white ticking throughout the coat Brindle - two colors “swirled” together throughout the coat
Personality
An Abyssinian Guinea Pig is a first choice for many families due to their outstanding and outspoken personalities. Although there is no scientific proof, many piggy parents claim their Abyssinians are friendlier, more adventurous/curious and sometimes even more mischievous compared to other breeds. Like any Guinea Pig, each Abyssinian will have their own personality and characteristics.
Grooming
Thanks to the Abyssinian's short coat length, they don't require a very strict grooming regimen. However, a healthy Guinea Pig's nail will grow very quickly and do require frequent clipping to keep them comfortable and prevent them from accidently scratching themselves. Abyssinians occasionally shed, so light brushing to help remove any loose fur is recommended. Bathing an Abyssinian is often unnecessary but some do benefit from the seasonal "bum bath". When bathing any breed of Guinea Pig, be sure to use only piggy safe products such as Unscented Baby Shampoo or an Antifungal Shampoo.
Cage Size / Living Space
As with all breeds of Guinea Pigs, Abyssinians need a living space with an absolute minimum of 7.5sqft and an additional 3sqft for each piggy added to the cage after the first. Here at Cloverdale Caviary, we use C&C Cages and believe that biggerreally is better when it comes to housing our piggies. A single Abyssinian Guinea Pig should be housed in no less than a 2x3 C&C cage. A pair of Abyssinian Guinea Pigs should be housed in no less than a 2x4 C&C cage.
Diet
As with all breeds of Guinea Pigs, Abyssinians must maintain a healthy and balanced diet to live the best life they can! 80% of all Guinea Pigs diet is Grass Hay (Orchard Grass Hay, Timothy Hay, etc.). A single Guinea Pig should eat at least the size of their own body's worth in hay each day. It's imperative that clean, fresh grass hay is available to a Guinea Pig at all times. 10% of their diet is made up of a high quality Guinea Pig pellet. Be sure the pellets of your choosing are clean, green in color and fragrant (not old/stale smelling). Pellets that are discolored or have "fun" pieces in them (fruit, nuts, seeds, colorful pieces, etc.) MUST be avoided at all costs. Those pellets are not properly formulated for Guinea Pigs and can cause a long list of ailments. The remaining 10% of an Abyssinians diet is made up of fresh fruits and vegetables. Though fruits and high sugar vegetables should be fed very sparingly, offering your Guinea Pig a wide variety of fresh foods is not only beneficial for their health, but is sure to help you bond with you pet!
Choosing an Abyssinian
Due to their popularity, Abyssinian Guinea Pigs can be found with ease. We highly recommend locating an Ethical Breeder near you or contacting your local shelter/rescue. Although the piggies in pet stores are adorable and easily accessible, try your best to avoid supporting them. Tragically, the Guinea Pigs who bred to be sold through pet stores are done so entirely unethically, and all with no guarantee or background of their health. Many pet store pigs are unhealthy, kept in cruel living arrangements and are often even misgendered - resulting in unexpected pregnancies.
In conclusion,
Abyssinian Guinea Pigs make wonderful pets and are a beautiful and inquisitive breed to own. But as with bringing home any new animal, please be sure to do your research and ensure you are fully prepared for this new adventure and responsibility.