Texel Guinea Pigs: Guinea Pigs With A Naturally Fancy Perm

Fancy yourself a Pet of the long hair variety? Exquisite and lovely to admire, and for the show stoppers amongst small Pets such as Guinea Pigs, the Texel breed just might hit the sweet spot for budding enthusiasts. In case you were wondering, their long locks of luscious waves are completely au-naturel, a result from cross-breeding!

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The Texel Guinea Pig

Ancestors of Guinea Pigs were found as early as 5000 BC, where they were mostly bred for food purposes in tribes of the Andean Region in South America. Guinea Pigs were also used by Folk Doctors to study illnesses— for Western Medicine was not available during, nor as vastly trusted as today. During 1200 AD and 1532, selective breeding has brought about the modern breeds of Guinea Pigs we see today.

Related:
American Shorthair Guinea Pig: The Oldest Breed Of Guinea Pigs

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The Guinea Pig was then believed to have been introduced to Europe through Spanish-English and Dutch traders. During which it quickly became a popular choice of Pet amongst the rich, upper-class and Royalty. Long haired Guinea Pigs were thereafter developed gradually— to fit into the exotic category of domestic Pets, and also for show purposes. The Texel Guinea Pig was only developed in England during the 1980’s, by cross-breeding a Rex Guinea Pig with a Silkie Guinea Pig. The increase in popularity after a number of shows gained them recognition from ACBA (American Cavy Breeder’s Association) in 1998.

Texel Guinea Pig Appearance

Coat — The Texel Guinea Pig is most renowned for its long coat of wavy curls.

Size — The average weight of an adult Texel Cavy is about 1 kg, with length ranging from 20 to 25cm.  While the Texel may weigh an average similar to most Guinea Pig breeds, their bodies are more compact, and also have round wide heads.

Pretty Texel

Colours — A wide variety of colours and patterns are available for the Texel Guinea Pig, of which can include White, Red, Black, Cream, and Brown. Other patterns and coats include Satin, Roan, Tortoiseshell and Brindle. 

Grooming A Texel Guinea Pig

The adventurous aesthetics do not come without added responsibilities— very frequent grooming is required to maintain a tangle-free coat for a Texel Guinea Pig. Run a brush through their wavy coats daily, trimming on a regular basis to keep their coats neat and tidy. Nails should be trimmed whenever necessary, and hair around the face and jaw should be kept short, preventing possible breathing difficulties. Try running your fingers through their coats, this doesn’t just loosen up tangles, it also acts as a massage for your Cavy!

Its No Sheep, Its A Texel

Note: Some Texel Guinea Pigs may tend to have hair covering their ears, be sure to check and clean their ears to avoid nasty infections from accumulated dirt. 

Hot Tip #1     Guinea Pigs do not require sand baths. Instead, provide a warm bath once every month but not too excessively, as it could stress a Cavy out. Use a small amount of Pet-friendly shampoo if needed, and very thoroughly dry them after. As long hair is prone to having dirt stuck on them, constantly check that their rears are not soiled. Use a clean, damp cloth to spot-clean any areas that are dirty or soiled.

Texel Guinea Pig Personality

In general, you can expect most Guinea Pigs to be friendly, active and affectionate in their own little ways after they've grown accustomed to their surroundings and most importantly, you. A Texel Guinea Pig is advised best-suited for an experienced Cavy owner— with the prerequisites of more responsibilities due to their hair variant. It could take a little while to tame your piggies, patience, attention and love go a long way to achieving a close bond with Guinea Pigs. 

Guinea Pig Housing And Feed

Housing — All Guinea Pigs' homes should be filled with a good bedding of hay or soft material, toys and enough room for them to keep active and move about— Wooden toys satisfy their chewing needs and prevent overgrown teeth.

Pine and Cedar wood bedding should be avoided as they may cause respiratory problems. Straw is also not advisable due to its level of absorbency. Since Peruvian Guinea Pigs have long hair, more effort is needed to maintain the cleanliness of their home, decreasing the chances of them soiling their coats.

Hot Tip #2      Allocate a space large enough to home your Cavies and all their needs, this provides a safe and comfortable enclosure for movement, exercise and roaming around. 

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Feeding — Good quality Hay is an absolute staple in a Guinea Pig's diet. Introduce a plate of good-quality hay with food pellets mixed in. Guinea Pigs require a ton of Fiber and Vitamin C, hence the inclusion of fresh vegetables and occasional fruit treats are a healthy option. Recommendations for good quality Hay types are Timothy Hay, to encourage healthy teeth and a good digestive system.

Hot Tip #3      To prevent them from eating soiled hay, clean their living space regularly and provide fresh food and water!

You might also be interested in these:

What Can My Guinea Pig Eat?: Guinea Pig Safe Greens and Fruits

Useful Tips On How To Life Hack For Guinea Pigs

How To Tell If Your Guinea Pig Is Sick?

Guinea Pigs Of Instagram: Top Stars Of The Cavy Empire!

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