Rosette Guinea Pigs: breed features and subtleties of care

The guinea pig is a friendly and affectionate pet, which can be found in many people. One of the most unpretentious breeds is considered the Abyssinian pig, it is also called the outlet. This cute rodent will suit as a friend, even a child. But in order for the animal to feel happy at home, it is necessary to provide him with comfortable conditions of detention.

Choosing a wire-haired abyssin among guinea pigs, it is worthwhile to get acquainted in advance with the peculiarities of this breed. Rosette pigs are good-natured, they are quickly tamed and adapted to new conditions. Among individuals, there are rarely those who allow themselves to bite on the master's finger. Most often, animals are born black-white-red. Occasionally there are tortoiseshell and roan individuals.

Rosette pigs got their name for the presence of unusual patterns of wool, similar to rosettes. Purebred animals have from 8 to 12 symmetrically located rosettes. Two sockets are located on the back of the nose, in the forearm, on the hind legs, on the sacrum. Four more sockets can be on the back. Also, the breed can be distinguished by pronounced whiskers, bulging eyes, thick hard wool, whiskers, wide-set ears.

Keeping an Abyssinian guinea pig in the home is often the only way for asthmatics and allergies. On the fur of these animals is rarely allergic. In addition, these animals themselves have a fairly strong immunity to diseases, although it sometimes happens that diseases do not bypass them. It is believed that the individuals of this breed are very intelligent and clever and therefore easy to train.

Another important feature of outlets is their delicate ear. For example, a rodent can hear the owner approaching, who has just entered the doorway, and begin to squeak joyfully, welcoming the owner.

Abyssinian pigs love to sit on the hands of a person and get along well with children. Some pets can even lick the host's fingers, thereby expressing their confidence. However, it is important to keep in mind that the pigs of this breed are afraid of sharp sounds and movements; any sudden change can lead to a panic attack.

In nature, guinea pigs prefer to live in groups of 5–10 individuals, they build burrows and get food, and at home two relatives often cannot get along, especially if they are of the same sex, and even more so if they are two males. Therefore, it is recommended to acquire only one pet if the owner does not plan to breed guinea pigs. Well can only get along with individuals littermates.

In the case of breeding guinea pigs should be prepared for the fact that the cubs may appear smooth-haired. This happens, and this situation is not considered a deviation from the norm. But if the kids have the wrong sockets or fewer of them than they need, then probably the little pigs have become the fruit of the love of the unbreeding parents, and further these individuals are not recommended to be propagated.

The life span of a guinea pig at home is 8–10 years, but there are real long-livers who, with proper care, live to 16 years.For the animal to live as long as possible, it is important to follow some recommendations on the content. First of all, before buying a pet, the owner must buy a spacious cage, whose two walls are at least a meter long. Further, the future housing should be equipped with various attributes:

• a house where the mumps will rest, hide and store their supplies;
• feeding trough and drinking bowl;
• toys for the release of the energy of the active animal: wheel, stairs, turntables, labyrinths;
• nursery for hay;
• Mineral stone - is needed for the health of your pet's teeth.

Sawdust or pellets are suitable as a filler. Judging by the reviews of the owners, the wood pellets absorb the waste of the rodent better, and therefore, better protect from an unpleasant smell.

It is recommended to arrange the toilet in the opposite corner. The cage is cleaned once a week, and the feeders and drinkers need to be washed every day. Regular cleaning of the cage is an important procedure, as the abyssines are quite clean animals.

Pigs-sockets endure cold enough, and in regions with a mild climate they can be kept even outside. However, it is important to protect the animal from dampness and drafts. But the heat for these creatures can even be disastrous, so Do not place the cell in direct sunlight.

When caring for rosette gilt, follow these guidelines.

• Try to let your pet out once a day.. To maintain health and increase life expectancy, it is important for him to move a lot. Before the mumps go for a walk around the apartment, do not forget to isolate other pets, and also to warn households to look at their feet. Block in advance all the places where the mumps could climb and not get out. You can buy in the pet store a special walking ball that will not allow the animal to escape or become the prey of a domestic cat.
• Carefully check the purity of the water. Change the water daily, washing the water well. Seeing that debris has got into the tank, change the water. Every day a rodent needs at least 250 ml of liquid.
• Once a week, wipe your pet's coat with a damp cloth to remove dead hair. Brush the rodent with a special comb. Pick up the brush from a soft plastic material - such a product will not damage the skin of a fragile pet.
• Regularly include in the diet of branches of trees for grinding teeth. If the incisors grow, they will damage the pet's cheeks, as a result of which the animal will always experience discomfort. In the wild, the rodent grinds its claws during a constant run. With domestic maintenance, its motor activity is somewhat limited, and therefore the claws grow back quite quickly and give the animal inconvenience. Because of this, trim the claws regularly. If you are afraid to do it yourself, take your pet to the vet.
• The animal does not need bathing, this procedure can provoke stress. But if you still need to wash your pet with heavy pollution, then the procedure is carried out in a pelvis with a non-slip bottom. Water temperature is moderate. Do not wash the mumps in the area above the neck so that water does not get into the ears and eyes.

Particular attention should be paid to feeding the Abyssinian guinea pig. The fact is that for the full development of these animals need vitamin C, but their bodies do not produce it, so it is important to fill this gap with appropriate products. This element is contained in wild rose, currant, parsley, bell pepper. Proper feeding of a rodent consists of the following ingredients:

• cereals (1 tbsp. l. per day): wheat, barley, rye;
• Greens (bunch per day): dandelion leaves, clovers, parsley;
• unlimited hay;
• root vegetables: beets, carrots;
• fruits and berries: grapes, watermelons, mountain ash;
• vegetables: cabbage, peas, pumpkin, zucchini;
• special supplements: vitamins and minerals.

Each pet has individual taste preferences. Seeing that the animal eats from the first proposed, you can understand its taste preferences, and next time feed it with what it likes. It is also important to know what cannot be offered to guinea pigs:

• meat, fish, any smoked products;
• pastry, baking;
• canned, canned or boiled vegetables;
• poorly washed or rotten roots.

Beware of giving pieces of food with mold, remove juicy vegetables from the feeder that the rodent has not eaten to protect the cage from the spread of mold.

It has already been noted above that rosette guinea pigs are famous for their strong immunity, but under poor conditions, this immunity decreases, and then the animal risks becoming a victim of some disease. The most common ailments for these animals are parasites, diseases of the gastrointestinal organs, eye diseases, and ear ticks. To prevent the development of the disease, Watch your pet carefully. If you feel unwell, the rodent will hide deeper in the house and will not go out to greet the host, he will not play and eat.

It is important to observe the external state of the pet. So, periodically check the purity of the guinea pig ears. When detecting a yellowish plaque, it can be assumed that the pet picked up an ear tick. Usually this disease is indicated by the desire of the pig to itch all the time. If you detect any symptoms of indisposition in a domestic rodent, immediately carry your pet to a veterinarian.

In conclusion, we invite you to watch a video about charming rosette guinea pigs.