Guinea Pig Breeds Lifespan

One of the most distinctive breeds of guinea pig.

Guinea pig breeds lifespan. Because literally they have gorgeous curly hair. The longer life span means more responsibility and a longer commitment especially if you want your guinea pig to live a healthy happy life. Keep reading to learn more about each breed of guinea pig and how you can help your guinea pig live a long happy life. Guinea pigs have longer life spans than many other pet rodents.

The highlights can fade if they are exposed to stress and strain so they may need a little more attention than other guinea pig breeds. Pick a type of guinea pig. Check out your guinea pig s age in human years and find out about their life cycle. By now you ve probably learned that there are actually several guinea pig breeds to choose from.

With the merino guinea pig being the breed with the shortest lifespan of averagely 4 years. It is more appropriate to call the texel breed guinea pigs with their alternative name. Skinny guinea pigs tend to live the longest with a typical lifespan of 7 8 years. The average lifespan of an individual guinea pig may last for five up to seven years depending on their breed and specie.

The guinea pig was first domesticated as early as 5000 bc for food by tribes in the andean region of south america the present day southern part of colombia ecuador peru and bolivia some thousands of years after the domestication of the south american camelids. Most breeds of guinea pig have the same hardiness and generally decent health. However some guinea pigs don t live that long whereas others make it to a much riper old age. The average lifespan of a guinea pig is around 4 8 years.

Their lifespan is the typical 5 to 7 years just like the other long haired guinea pig breeds in terms of lifespan. However the average lifespan for a texel is known to be about the same as the average lifespan of a guinea pig of another breed averaging from four to seven years with eight at the outside. These guinea pig breeds differ in color shape coats size and personalities. They are known as the siamese cats of the guinea pig world due to their color.

While your guinea pig could easily be around for five years or more mice and hamsters live just a couple of years. According to school veterinary medicine website of university of pennsylvania the duration of the guinea pig life span relies on the extent of love and care they are receiving that comes from their owner. Unlike dogs the choice is easier since there are only a few main guinea pig breeds. White silkie peruvian and himalayan guinea pigs live roughly 5 8 years and abyssinian guinea pigs usually live 5 7 years.

Statues dating from circa 500 bc to 500 ad that depict guinea pigs have been unearthed in archaeological digs in peru and ecuador.