The coronet guinea pig appeared after crosses between shelty guinea pigs, characterized by long hair, and crowned guinea pigs, whose crest or rosette and short hair are the main characteristics. As a result, a crested long-haired guinea pig emerged, and it can be of different colors. Like all guinea pigs, it is elongated, with short legs and a large head. Regarding his character, he is a docile, friendly, pleasant and playful guinea pig. He adores human company, not hesitating to howl or shout for attention.The diet, as for the rest of the guinea pigs, must be balanced and include hay, fruits, vegetables and kibbles for guinea pigs in the appropriate proportions to prevent disease and maintain the correct metabolism and functionality of the pig. 'organism.
Keep reading to know all the characteristics of the crown guinea pig and its main care, as well as its origin, character and he alth.
Origin
- Europe
- United Kingdom
Origin of the coronet guinea pig
The coronet guinea pig is a long-haired guinea pig resulting from the cross between a crowned guinea pig and a shelty guinea pig. This breeding began in England in the 1970s and continued in the United States, as breeders sought to obtain an even longer-haired guinea pig, which was obtained by mixing the shelty guinea pig with crowned guinea pigs.The result was a guinea pig that features the long hair of the shelty guinea pig and the spiral of hair on the forehead of the crowned guinea pig.
The coronet guinea pig breed was first recognized in 1998 by the American Rabbit Association, affiliated with the American Guinea Pig Association.
Characteristics of the coronet guinea pig
The coronet guinea pig is mainly characterized by its long hair that cascades over its entire body, except on its face. It has a rosette on its forehead which, unlike its crested guinea pig relatives, can be of different colors, not just white.
It weighs between 700 grams and 1.2 kg and can measure between 25 and 35 cm in length, with males being larger than females. The coronet guinea pig is characterized by an elongated body, a large head virtually indistinguishable from the body, lively eyes and short legs. The color of their fur can vary in several shades, but brown colors predominate.You can also see satin specimens, with a shinier, denser coat of fur. However, this type of coronet guinea pig has not yet been recognized by the American Whose Association.
The coronet guinea pig matures at three months and a female guinea pig can gestate 2 to 5 guinea pigs in a gestation period of between 59 and 72 days.
Coronet guinea pig character
The coronet guinea pig is an ideal companion, especially for the youngest in the house. He is a very affectionate, friendly and playful guinea pig. He loves to attract attention so that his fellows can spend time with him. It is a very energetic guinea pig that will not remain motionless for long apart from the time necessary for rest. This characteristic benefits it when it comes to preventing overweight and obesity, but at the same time it requires a lot of attention.
It is because of his constant need for attention that another of the characteristics of the character of the coronet guinea pig emerges: he tends to emit cries or howls so that his humans come to his call.Therefore, a good idea is to buy guinea pig toys to satisfy this playful, curious, tender and restless instinct.
Taking care of the coronet guinea pig
The main care of the coronet guinea pig is the hygiene and maintenance of its long coat. Brushing should be done daily to detangle it and prevent the appearance of knots. To do this, you must use a brush with soft bristles. It can be washed, but you must use a shampoo for guinea pigs or rodents and dry it well to avoid colds or respiratory illnesses. You can also cut the hair in some places if it is too long.
To continue caring for a coronet guinea pig, you should trim its claws when they are too long, which should be done once a month, and check its teeth for signs of dental problems such as malocclusion.
The coronet guinea pig needs a cage in a calm and quiet place, with a minimum size of 80cm long x 40cm wide and not too high.The surface should be smooth and not wire mesh, to avoid injury, and should have plenty of litter to absorb moisture from urine and fresh food. The ideal temperature is between 10 and 25°C. They have to go out several times a day to feel free, to run and play, because they need it and like it very much. Of course, it is advisable to keep an eye on the animal to prevent it from getting hurt or lost.
Since we are dealing with a guinea pig who needs a lot of attention, he is also spending time with him playing or giving him cuddles. Also, environmental enrichment is essential for him to be entertained when he is alone, so he will need lots of toys.
As a preventive measure, at least make him a routine visit to the veterinary center once a year to check that he is in good he alth.
Coronet Guinea Pig Feeding
Some of the diseases that guinea pigs can often suffer from can be prevented with proper nutrition. A coronet guinea pig's diet should include the following foods in their proper proportions: hay, fruits, vegetables, and animal feed.
First, representing 65 to 70% of the diet, hay is the main food because it is fibrous and good for metabolism and intestinal transit. Second, they should include, about 25% for vitamin, mineral and moisture supply, various fruits and vegetables. Some of these vegetables and fruits that guinea pigs can safely eat are:
- Orange
- Apple
- Pear
- Blueberry
- strawberry
- Papaya
- kiwi
- Romain lettuce (not iceberg)
- Carrot
- Cucumber
- Chou
- Green Peas
- Pepper
- Beets
- cherry
- Tomato
Discover the complete list of fruits and vegetables recommended for guinea pigs.
Thirdly, but no less important and necessary, we find kibbles for guinea pigs which represent between 5 to 10% of their daily diet. With kibble, it is possible to meet daily nutritional needs and, with fruits and vegetables, to cover vitamin C needs.
Water should be provided to guinea pigs in a rodent drinker, rather than in a container in the cage, because with the latter there is a risk of stagnation and proliferation of bacteria .
Coronet guinea pig he alth
Coronet guinea pigs have a life expectancy of between 5 and 9 years, provided they have been cared for as they deserve. When it comes to the he alth of these guinea pigs, the important diseases to watch out for are:
- Digestive problems such as cecal dysbiosis. This disease is characterized by the transformation of the natural commensal flora of the transition between the cecum and the colon by pathogenic microorganisms or by a different flora. This usually occurs when there are certain predisposing factors for reduced colonic motility, such as a low fiber diet, high intake of fermentable carbohydrates, or infection with Clostridium piriformis bacteria.
- Scurvy or vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C in guinea pigs is an essential nutrient because they cannot synthesize it like other animals and they need to acquire it from food. Scurvy in guinea pigs can produce clinical signs such as diseases of the respiratory system, immunosuppression, internal bleeding, hypersalivation, anorexia, hair and skin problems, pododermatitis, lameness and weakness.
- Dental Malocclusion: It occurs when teeth are misaligned or have adequate growth, lose alignment and lose symmetry, which predisposes to the formation of wounds and infections, as well as a adequate food intake, so digestive problems may appear.
- Respiratory problems: produce symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, fever, runny nose, malaise, depression, dyspnea and breath sounds. They usually appear when the diet is insufficient or when there is a vitamin C deficiency, causing immunosuppression.
- External parasites like fleas, mites, lice and ticks. In addition to the lesions caused on the skin of our guinea pig, these small organisms can transmit diseases, so to prevent or kill them, the coronet guinea pig must be dewormed.
In fact, many of the most common diseases that guinea pigs can suffer from can be prevented with proper management and proper care.In the presence of any signs of illness such as isolation, fever, depression, refusal to play, cavities, lethargy, watery eyes, inadequate bowel movements, increased water intake, anorexia or the appearance of skin lesions or dental alterations, you must go to a veterinarian to treat it as soon as possible.
Pictures of Coronet guinea pig
