Roan Guinea Pigs (the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly)

When we hear “roan”, the first animal that comes to mind is probably a horse. These beautiful and majestic animals have the largest population of any roan animal. But did you know that we also have roan guinea pigs?

I’m going to tell you everything there’s to know about roan piggies. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy learning about these fascinating little creatures.

Roan Guinea Pig Overview

Let’s get some basics out of the way. The table below will tell you some general information about roan guinea pigs.

Scientific name	Cavia porcellus
Common name	Roan Guinea Pig
Size	8-12 inches
Life expectancy	5-8 years
Color	White hair mixed with black, brown, or other solid color.
Food	Hay, pellets, fruits & vegetables
Basic Temperature	60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit

Roan Guinea Pig Appearance

Roan guinea pigs come in various coat colors. They usually have a mix of white and colored hairs on their body. It’s sort of a “salt and pepper” look.

The colors can be any color combination. Even so, white hairs with black or brown hair are the most common.

Black with white hairs used to be the only color combination for roans. But as time went on, other solid colors began to appear.

Nowadays, roans come with white hair intermixed with almost any solid color.

Usually, roan piggies are bi-colored. But that’s not always the case. We’ve got tri-color roans, too! These are rare and can be white and any two colors. The most common tri-color roan is the black, brown, and white roan.

The white hairs appear anywhere on their bodies except for the head and legs. These parts have a solid coat.

Also, you’ll notice that the white hair tends to be more behind the shoulders. That makes the backs of roan piggies look lighter in color than any other part.

Breeding Roan Guinea Pigs

Uh, don’t do it.  Roan guinea pigs should NEVER be allowed to breed.  They carry a genetic mutation that makes it 25% to 50% likely that they’ll breed lethal whites.

Lethal white guinea pigs are a relatively rare breed of guinea pig with a genetic condition that causes their hair to grow in a pure white coat. 

The condition is bad and can cause health problems like weakness, blindness, dental issues, breathing problems, and death. Piggies that have this condition usually don’t live for very long.

Instead of trying to breed a roan guinea pig, just focus on caring for those guinea pigs that already exist in order to protect their health and well-being.

Roan Temperament and Personality

Outside of their physical appearance, roan guinea pigs are a lot like any other cavy. They have the same personality traits and characteristics. And that’s because the roan gene only affects their physical appearance. 

And with that said, roan guinea pigs are generally active and playful. Once they’ve gotten used to a new environment, that is.

I wrote an article called 10 Tips to Help a Skittish Guinea Pig Settle In. That’ll help you if you have a roan (or any other type of guinea pig) that’s feeling scared and lost in a new home.

Like regular piggies, roan guineas enjoy the company of other piggies. So, have them live in pairs or small groups. That way, they can socialize and play together.

And it doesn’t have to be a fellow roan piggie. Any guinea pig that they’ve successfully paired with will do.

Of course, personality differs from guinea pig to guinea pig. So, don’t be surprised if your roan differs from what we’ve mentioned here. But if your piggie is anything like a typical roan, you’re in for a fun-loving and social little companion.

Roan Guinea Pig Diet

These piggies are pure vegans, like all other guinea pigs. Their digestive system can’t handle anything outside of a plant-based diet. So, if you’re thinking of giving them meat or other animal products, think again.

A healthy diet for roan piggie should consist of hay, pellets, and fruits and vegetables. Hay should be available at all times as it’s essential for their digestion and gut health. 

It can take up to 80% of their diet. As for pellets, give them about 1/8th cup per day. Fruits and vegetables can take up to 10% of their diet.

As for fruits and vegetables, make them as varied as possible. That way, your piggie can get all the nutrients they need.

But avoid giving them too much as it can cause digestive problems.

Plus, get to know which ones are safe and which aren’t. Some fruits and vegetables can be poisonous to guinea pigs. Avocados, onions, tomato leaves, and garlic are just some of the examples. 

And like all other animals, guinea pigs need constant access to clean water. Usually, they need 3.3 ounces of water per kilogram (2.2 ounces) of their weight every day.

I recommend that you use a water bottle for this purpose. Water bottles are easy to use and clean. Just make sure to clean and change the water every day.

Roan Guinea Pig Feeding Tips

Guinea pigs need to eat foods that are rich in vitamin C. This is because they can’t produce it on their own.

Too much sugar can cause problems like obesity and diabetes, so it’s best to avoid sugary foods.

Bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale are all good for getting vitamin C.

For fruits, oranges, strawberries, and papayas are good choices. But only eat a little bit of them.

Too much of anything isn’t good for your little friends – except for maybe hay. They ALWAYS need lots and lots of hay.

Let’s now take a look at the feeding tips;

• Always Go Organic: If you can get your hands on organic fruits and vegetables, do so! That way, you can be sure that their food has no harmful chemicals or pesticides. Pesticides and other chemicals can cause all sorts of digestive and reproductive problems.
• Wash Thoroughly: This one’s a no-brainer. Like you would wash your fruits and vegetables before eating them, do the same for your piggie. Wash them well to remove any dirt, bacteria, or chemicals.
• Cut Into Small Pieces: Cut their food into small pieces, especially if it’s hard to chew. It allows your cavy to eat whatever you’re offering without any problems. Also, remove any seeds since they’re a choking hazard. Others contain cyanide, like those of apples, apricots, and cherries.
• Choose A Humble Beginning: When introducing a new food, start with small amounts. That way, you can see how your guinea reacts to the new food. If all goes well, you can increase the dose bit by bit. Only keep treats below 10% of your piggies intake.
• Collect Leftovers: If there’s any food left in the cage, collect it after 8 hours. Leftover food can attract pests and bacteria, which can harm your piggie.
• Choose A Variety: Variety is key to a healthy diet! So, try to give them as many different fruits and vegetables as possible. Just remember not to go overboard and to avoid those that are poisonous.

How To Take Care of a Roan Guinea Pig?

It’s important to take good care of roan piggies in every part of their lives. This includes their food, water, exercise, and social needs.

With proper care, your piggie will be healthy and happy and live a long time (*fingers crossed*)

Diet

As we have seen, Vitamin C is very important for roan guinea pigs. This means that their hay boxes need to always have fresh hay in them.

You can also give them fresh fruits and vegetables as part of their diet, but make sure to offer different kinds and not too much at once.

Habitat

A piggie needs at least 7.5 square feet of cage space. That’s just for one though.

And for every extra cavy, increase the space by at least 20%. But if you can provide more, the better. Also, the enclosure should be escape-proof and safe. A cage height of at least 12 inches is ideal.

Avoid beddings made with softwood, like pine (unless it’s kiln-dried) and cedar. These woods can be harmful to your piggie’s respiratory system. Instead, go for beddings made with hardwood, like aspen.

As for the temperature, guineas are sensitive to heat and cold. Keep their cage away from windows, vents, and drafty areas. The ideal temperature for them is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Exercise

Roan piggies need some form of exercise to stay fit and healthy. A simple way to provide this is by getting them a playpen.

You can even let them run around in your yard if you have the space. Of course, the areas have to be safe and escape-proof.

Social Life

Get your roan a fellow guinea friend. They need a companion to stay happy and healthy. And as usual – when possible – go for the same sex. 

It’ll  save you the frustration of waking up to a litter of pups. 

One thing, though; don’t breed two roan piggies. Also, avoid pairing a roan with a Dalmatian guinea pig.

Otherwise, you risk having offspring with the lethal white syndrome. 

Baby piggies that suffer from this condition are born with pure white fur with tiny eyes. Usually, they’re deaf, blind, and with dental issues. They generally live miserable lives and often die young.

Grooming Needs

Guinea pigs are pretty neat animals. But they still need some help to stay clean and healthy.

Start by brushing their fur at least once a week. It could be more if your cavy has long fur. Brushing removes any dirt, debris, and knots from their hair.

It’ll also help to spread their natural oils, which keeps their fur healthy and shiny.

They also need their nails trimmed regularly. If you hear their nails clicking on the floor, they’re definitely too long. That means you should cut them at least once every month. Use a nail clipper designed for small animals to avoid injuring your piggie.

Lastly, don’t forget to clean their ears. Their ear canals are long and curved, which can mean infection city for your average fur baby.

Use a cotton ball dampened with water to clean their outer ear.

Roan Guinea Pig Health Problems

Like any other pet, roan guinea pigs are susceptible to health problems. Some of the common issues include respiratory infections, diarrhea, and mites. This table shows the causes, symptoms, and treatment for the common health problems.

Condition	Causes	Symptoms	Cure
Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)	Bordetella, Streptococcus, Adenovirus	LethargyWheezingSneezingAnorexiaUnusual hair loss Weight lossCoughing.	Antibiotics; Bactrim Baytril or Chloramphenicol and doxycycline
Bumblefoot/Pododermatitis	Inappropriate habitat conditions	Wound on piggies foot padInactivityWeight lossSwollen foot	Antibiotics
Ringworm (Fungal Infections)	Dermatophytosis fungi	Irregular bald patchesRoughened hair coatRedness/Inflammation on feet or faceExcessive scratching	Antifungal medications
Mites (Parasite Infestation)	StressUnclean living conditionsInfection from other cavies	Hair lossSkin inflammationItchingLethargyWeight loss	Ivermectin orSelamectin.

How Do You Know If Your Roan Guinea Pig is Healthy?

To know if roan guinea pigs are healthy, you have to make sure that their active and a good weight.

If you aren’t sure of the health status of your piggie, always have an exotic vet check them. Vets have the equipment and expertise to give an accurate diagnosis.

Behavioral signs of a healthy roan guinea pig include:

• Active and playful
• Eating and drinking regularly
• Normal poop and pee
• No discharge from the eyes, nose, or mouth

Physical signs of a healthy roan guinea pig include:

• Clean and shiny fur
• Smooth and pink skin
• Clear eyes
• Normal breathing

If you notice any changes in behavior or physical appearance, take them to the vet. The sooner you catch a health problem, the easier it is to treat.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Having a Roan Guinea Pig

Like other pets, roan guinea pigs come with their own set of pros and cons. Consider the following before making your final decision.

Pros:

• Social when properly paired with piggies
• Don’t need to be walked like dogs
• Make great companions – especially if you accept their quirks
• Are good emotional support animals

Cons:

• Delicate health
• High maintenance (like every other piggie)
• Sensitive to temperature changes
• Lethal white pups

Interesting Facts About Roans

Roan guinea pigs have some interesting quirks that make them unique. Here are a few fun facts about these adorable piggies.

1. Roan is a mutation. Yes, the beautiful roan coat is the result of a genetic mutation.

2. The “roaning effect” doesn’t affect guinea pigs alone. It also affects dogs, cats, cattle, goats, antelope, and horses.

3. Roan guinea pigs have one copy of the roan gene and one copy of the non-roan gene.

4. It’s catastrophic for a piggie to have two copies of the roan gene.

5. The roan gene is more common in horses than in any other animal.

6. Roans come in a variety of coat colors, types, and lengths.

7. Roan guinea pigs are totally healthy. Actually, the only disadvantage they have is they shouldn’t mate with fellow roans.

8. The head and feet are usually the only body parts that are not roan.

9. Mating two roans doesn’t mean all the pups will be lethals. Lethal guinea pigs The rule of genetics dictates that 1/2 the litter should be roan and the remaining 1/2 lethal white.

Final Thoughts

Roan guinea pigs can make great pets, just like regular guinea pigs. They don’t have any special needs, but you need to know how to take care of them.

Make sure you give them lots of love and attention, and that you keep them healthy and happy.

But, don’t breed roan guinea pigs with other roans (or Dalmation breed piggies), because this can cause health problems for their babies.

Do you have a roan guinea pig? Tell me about them in the comments below.