Abyssinian guinea pigs cost between $15 and $100 on average. Abyssinians are very intelligent and personable little bundles of fun, loving interaction with their human owners and even learning simple tricks. Two of my pet Abyssinian guinea pigs learned to jump up into my lap on command – pretty neat! You might enjoy teaching your pet simple tricks, using treats as a reward.
Most Abyssinian Guinea Pigs will cost between $15 and $75 depending on the color and breeding history of the pig. The monthly maintenance cost of Abyssinian Guinea Pigs includes expenses for their essential needs. On average, this can range from $30 to $50 in the United States and from ₹2,000 to ₹3,500 in India.
Abyssinian guinea pigs come in single color varieties, as well as a few color mixes. Some of the most common colors you will come across include roan, brindle, solid red, black, white, and tortoiseshell, among others. As previously mentioned, the fur of an Abyssinian guinea pig is tufted, which means that it needs quite a bit of maintenance to prevent tangling.
Abyssinia is a geographic region in Africa that covers modern-day Eritrea and northern Ethiopia, but Abyssinian guinea pigs did not come from Africa. Nor did they come from Guinea or New Guinea. The first guinea pigs are believed to have originated in the Andean part of South America in the area that comprises modern-day Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The cost of Abyssinian guinea pigs may vary from individual to individual, depending on the number of rosettes and how evenly they are arranged. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from around $15 to $75.
Do Abyssinian guinea pigs have health problems?
Abyssinian guinea pigs have dental problems, respiratory infections, and skin conditions. Take your guinea pig to the vet regularly for checkups and monitor their health closely at home. Groom and maintain hygiene. Abyssinians are happiest with guinea pig friends and attentive owners. They need attention. Provide activity, routine change, and interaction. Monitor weight; they can develop diabetes. Get professional help if you suspect related issues. They can get eye problems too. Although guinea pigs need exercise, Abyssinians are very active. Provide chew toys, balls, tunnels and hidey holes to keep them busy and out of trouble. Avoid hamster wheels and exercise balls. Abyssinians need as much space as possible, including a large hutch and run. Like all guinea pigs, Abyssinians can have dental problems, respiratory infections and skin issues. Regular vet check-ups and proper care can prevent and treat these.
Abyssinian guinea pigs originate from the Andean mountainous regions of South America. Farmers in the region still rear them as food, while art and myth show their cultural role. Their name has no connection to Ethiopia. Self Abyssinians have a solid coat color without distinct markings. Tricolor Abyssinians have three distinct colors. Abyssinian guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin C. Deficiency leads to scurvy. Provide a diet with fresh vegetables, fruits and vitamin C enriched pellets. Urinary problems like bladder stones can occur due to their diet and low water intake. Provide fresh water daily and a low calcium diet. Monitor for discomfort when urinating.
Abyssinian guinea pigs may have respiratory infections, dental problems and skin problems. They grow teeth continuously. Overgrown teeth need care. They are prone to mites, lice and infections. Abyssinian guinea pigs do not have special health concerns. Most common are dental issues, prevented with proper diet. They can get mites causing itchiness and scratching. Common problems are pneumonia, diarrhea, scurvy and urinary issues. Watch their diet. Scurvy means inadequate vitamin C. Signs are rough coat and swollen feet. Average lifespan is 5-7 years, up to 8 with care. Abyssinians make good pets for gentle children. Regular brushing prevents matting. Proper housing is needed.
Do Abyssinian guinea pigs get big?
Abyssinian guinea pigs can measure between 8-12 in (20-30 cm). A little smaller breed is the American guinea pig. American guinea pigs can grow up to 8-9 in (20-22.86 cm).
The biggest breed of guinea pig is the Rex guinea pig. Male Abyssinian guinea pigs grow more, up to 12 inches. Female Abyssinians grow less, around 8 inches.
Abyssinian guinea pigs weigh 800-1400 grams. Male Abyssinians weigh around 1200 grams. Female Abyssinians weigh around 1000 grams.
Abyssinian guinea pigs originate from the Andes Mountains in South America. Abyssinian guinea pigs are still farmed for food in that region. They are also depicted in Andean art, sculpture and myths.
An Abyssinian guinea pig’s size is affected by its gender, birth order, litter size, diet, and health. At 3 weeks, pups are weaned. At 9 months to 1 year, they reach full size. An abyssinian’s lifespan is around 5 to 6 years normally.
Regular bathing of abyssinian guinea pigs is unnecessary unless the veterinarian advises it. Their cages must be kept clean, or Abyssinians can become smelly and dirty.
An Abyssinian guinea pig costs $15 to $100. Rescues often have them for $20 to $40. Professional breeders sell them for $50 to $80 on average. Superior-looking Abyssinians sell for over $100.
What is the lifespan of an Abyssinian guinea pig?
The average lifespan of an Abyssinian guinea pig is anywhere between five and eight years. The longest-living Abyssinian guinea pig on record reached 15 years in captivity. Abyssinian guinea pigs are susceptible to some common ailments.
Abyssinian guinea pigs originate from the Andes Mountains in South America. They are rodents, the same classification as rats and mice. In parts of South America, guinea pigs are farmed for food. The Abyssinian guinea pig breed is very ancient. They were first seen in Victorian England and brought back by adventurers.
The fur of an Abyssinian cat exhibits distinctive patterns of hair referred to as rosettes. Show-quality Abyssinian cats should possess eight to ten discernible rosettes distributed on the shoulders, back, hips and rump. Their fur exhibits diverse hues like self, tortoiseshell and brindle variations.
Abyssinian guinea pigs are available from breeders, with prices ranging between $15 and $75. Their average annual cost is $1,500-$2,400. They shed moderately but more in spring and summer. Regular brushing minimizes shedding.
The Abyssinian cavy was an exhibition animal in Victorian England. Breeding two roan Abyssinians produces offspring with genetic problems. Though named “Abyssinian”, they actually originated in the Andes region of South America. After exploration in the 16th century, they became popular pets due to their friendly nature. Today they remain a great family pet.
Abyssinian Guinea Pigs have wild hairdos making them the most distinct breed. Their lively nature and appearance make them delightful pets. Their striking coat first catches the eye. Newborns weigh 2.5-3.9 oz and are 3-4 inches long. Regular bathing is unnecessary unless advised by a veterinarian. Proper cage hygiene is crucial for their health. Comparatively more difficult to groom than short-haired breeds, Abyssinians self-groom regularly.
The typical Abyssinian lifespan is 5-7 years. Proper care, diet and environment enhance quality of life. They thrive with companionship from other guinea pigs or humans, needing interaction and bonding.
Exotic breed names helped market the guinea pigs. Abyssinian was chosen to sound exotic and increase sales. They have no relation to Abyssinia in Africa.