Who are Texel Guinea pigs, and why should you adopt them now?

You may or may not know about Texel Guinea Pigs. If you have not heard of them, it is not a surprise. These guys are the latest breed of Guinea Pig. You could say they are relatively new to the guinea pig kingdom. So who are they, and from where did they come? Britain is their country of origin. You will learn more about the origin story of these fascinating creatures as you read through the article. For now, let us focus on why these guys got so famous worldwide. Interestingly, The Texel guinea pig is a breed unlike any other.

They are a highly sought-after breed because of their unique, curly long coat. They have such long fluffy, and curly coats. Did you know that these guys even win international prizes worldwide for their beauty?  

Due to their beautiful hair, the Texel Guinea Pig got their nickname, longhaired Sheltie. It is a somewhat fitting name. Texels have slightly longer hair than the Silkie/Sheltie breed too. 

You can even call them curly guinea pigs because they have a curly coat! 

Of course, you must be curious to know more about this adorable creature. If you are on board, keep scrolling!

Texel guinea pig origin

Now for a bit of history lesson. As we promised earlier in the introduction, here is the origin story of texels. Like the Teddy and Skinny Pig, the Texel is a relatively new breed from England in the 1980s. The first-ever Texel was born after cross-breeding a Silkie Guinea Pig with a Rex Guinea Pig. With time, texels had developed into what they are today through several more crosses. The exact crosses it took to create the curly longhaired Texel are uncertain.

Their scientific name is Cavia porcellus. Of course, the American Cavy Breeders Association could not ignore this wonderful breed. So finally, they got recognized by the Association as an official breed in 1998. Since then, texels guinea pigs have become increasingly popular and widespread within homes worldwide.

If you are familiar with guinea pigs, you know that the average guinea pig’s life span is 5 to 7 years. It is the same case with texel guinea pigs as well. However, if you supply them with the best nutrition and exercise and care for them well, they can live longer than that. If you manage to do so, they will live up to a maximum of about 8 to 10 years.

Texel guinea pig baby

Did you know that Texel guinea pig babies are almost born without hairs? Who would have guessed this breed known for their fur are born with no hair? Well, their beautiful curls develop with time. You have to supervise them properly to grow as healthy adult Texels. You have to do so for a minimum of 5 days since their birth to help them stand on their own. Usually, their mothers provide them with the most extreme possibility of survival.

Texel guinea pig personality

Are Texel guinea pigs friendly? Well, they are pretty gentle and sweet. Sometimes though, they can be mischievous.

Guinea Pig Texel is pretty calm and elegant by nature. Also, Texels are excellent pets because they are affectionate and love being around humans so much. Usually, their attraction to humans begins if they handle the pet at a very young age. They are obedient in personality, and they are child-friendly as well. Sometimes though, they can cause trouble as they are pretty active and energetic. These guys are, in fact, the most active of all Guinea pigs. Texel guinea pig behavior is, without question, lovable and fun. You will very quickly find them to be such good companions. So What is the friendliest guinea pig breed? Well, Abyssinians are very lovely. These guys are cute and very affectionate. 

You do not hear much about texels. It can make you wonder, why do people not talk about them much?, are Texel guinea pigs rare? Well, sort of yes. Texel is a newer breed. You could say Texels are still pretty rare. Also, Texels are one of the most miniature breeds ever.

Textile Guinea Pigs Types:

You can classify Texel Guinea pigs further based on their appearances. These guys are in a wide range of color diversities. Let us get to know two types:

•  Black texel guinea pig

Black Texels showcase a black coat with no highlights. Their entire body, including ears, eyes, nose, even feet, are covered with long black furry hair. Usually, the black Texel get their color when Black is a dominant color trait of one parent.

• White texel guinea pig,

This guy has a white coat that shows entirely white long hair covering the entire body. A White color trait is dominant in one of the parent pigs of this variety of guinea texel pigs.

Guinea pig diseases

• Dental issues- malocclusion guinea pig

Maloccluded teeth are teeth that have not been appropriately worn and overgrown. The front and back teeth overgrowth frequently co-occur. However, you may notice the overgrowth of only the front teeth. The pet will slowly lose its ability to chew, and because of that, the front teeth will not get normal wear. Usually, the molars at the bottom grow toward and sometimes over the tongue. On the other hand, the upper molars grow toward the cheeks. Such overgrown teeth stop the normal chewing and eating of food and cause sores and injuries to the mouth.

So what causes this condition? 

Some malocclusion can happen because of genetics, especially in cases where guinea pigs younger than two years have the condition. Other than that, any trauma or infection can injure the teeth, causing faulty growth patterns. Illness combined with a change in eating habits (reduced intake, soft foods) can make the teeth overgrow and cause Malocclusion. 

How do you know if your Texel has Malocclusion?

The main sign is how the pet may have great difficulty eating. Your Texel will only pick at its food. In some cases, they may not eat at all. Typically, the mouth of a guinea pig with Malocclusion hangs slightly open. Often, the pet has already lost a significant amount of weight when owners notice something is wrong. You may see the hair under the pet’s chin gets wet. That is because the pet cannot close the mouth entirely due to the overgrowth of the teeth. So what you can do is to be proactive about the condition. You can weigh your pet weekly! Keep an eye on the pet to see any weight loss. 

Other than that, keep note of any warning signs such as the following:

• Does your Texel seem to work at chewing like he has something caught in his mouth that they are trying to unstick?
• Do you notice too much ear movement when the pet chews?
• Do you see any discharge from the nose or eyes that can indicate an abscess?
• Does the pet seem to chew to one side only?
• Are the front teeth even?
• Does the pet take longer than usual to finish the meals? 
• Can the pet rip and tear food?
• Can the pet eat the peel and the apple out of an apple slice?
• Does the pet pick up a pellet in his mouth and drop out again?
• Does the pet show interest in food but yet not eat?
• Is the pet steadily losing weight?
• Is the pet drooling?

Usually, physical examination happens under anesthesia. However, the vet may do an initial assessment without anesthesia. The doctor may use an otoscope to examine the back teeth, with an assistant’s help to gently secure the pet (one hand at the rump and the other at the shoulder/neck area). Also, a buccal pad separator can help in the examination. The vet may use an instrument to clip your pet’s teeth.

Maloccluded molars get filed or clipped (usually under anesthetic). Clipping, however, can cause split and fracture in the front tooth. So filing is safer. Some veterinarians use a Dremel-type tool to grind the teeth. The pet will need dental work every few weeks in some cases.

• Eye Problems

Your Texel guinea pig has big, expressive eyes. However, unfortunately, they are prone to eye diseases. 

Texel guinea pigs are sensitive to an early eye condition called Entropion. It is a condition where the pet’s eyelid rolls inward, and the eyelashes press against the eyeball. However, do not worry- Entropion is treatable with antibiotic eye drops. Talk to your veterinarian and ask for guidance if you notice soreness or redness in the eyes. 

•   Urine Problems

Urine color is a way to check if your Texel is in good health. It can be thick, cloudy, and white because of calcium carbonate and ammonium phosphate crystals in its urine. Regardless, too much calcium can be an issue. 

The color changes in urine are not a healthy sign. 

Usually, a diet rich in calcium can lead to cloudy urine in your guinea pig. You should not ignore cloudy urine. Changing what you add to the diet would be best once you notice dark urine. Otherwise, the urine can become sludgy and chalky.

Sometimes urine can be red because of some changes in diet. You may mistake it as blood, but that may not be the case. Usually, it may be because of pigmentation from the Texel’s bladder. 

Regular changes in urine color due to changes in the diet are natural. However, guinea pig pee of different colors is not something you can ignore. If it continues for an extended period, check with your veterinarian for medical advice.

Guinea pig pee color

Let us see what different shades of urine mean:

1. If the color is bright yellow, your guinea pig is healthy. Usually, such cases are not a reason to panic or worry about your pet’s health if it eats well.
2. Milky or dark shade in the pee can be an early warning sign of calciuria. It can happen because of a calcium-rich diet. In such instances, make changes in the diet. Replace alfalfa hay with timothy hay in your pet’s diet. Plus, make sure the diet is low in calcium.
3. If the color is red, you would initially assume it is blood. However, it can be because of particular foods like dandelion, beetroot, red cabbage. It can be due to pigments from guinea pigs’ bladders. Sometimes, antibiotic medicines can be the reason for red pigmentation in urine. However, if you notice the color for an extended period, go ahead and check with a veterinarian.

More things…

1. Pink Urine can be because of blood in the urine. Sometimes, food like strawberries or cranberries can also cause a color change. Besides that, too much calcium in the diet can lead to pink urine.
2. Brown pee in your Texel is not a reason to panic. Observe that the pee dries uniformly brown. Usually, the bladder pigments are the reason for it. Make sure to check the fecal wastes because if guinea pigs have constipation, the fecal waste gets stuck in the gut. In such cases, they do not even vomit. Usually, young guinea pigs show brown shades in the urine more often than older ones.
3. Typically, the pet’s pee can turn orange when it has not had enough water. Dehydration can cause more urination, which results in orange color. So make sure your Texel gets enough clean water for drinking at all times.
4.  If you notice your Texel’s urine to be clean and transparent, that means your pet is drinking too much water. Of course, it is good that the pet consumes more water. However, too much water can cause kidney problems in your pet. So be careful of how much you give to your pet. 

Guinea pig cloudy urine…

Guinea pig cloudy urine or milky shades is healthy up to some extent.

Excess calcium precipitate and reduced urine content lead to a thick paste. If your Texel is suffering from a condition called calciuria, it can cause thick and milky urine. Note that the situation can be life-threatening if you do not treat it.

Usually, the kidneys filter calcium consumed by guinea pigs. Excess calcium passes through urine, which makes the pee look cloudy.

However, Texels and other guinea pigs need calcium for healthy teeth and bones but in small amounts. Try to avoid feeding your pet food with high calcium content. 

Also, make sure not to give cheap pellets to your Texel. Check if there is any alfalfa hay, which has a high calcium content with low fiber content. If so, replace it with timothy hay. It is much safer to use timothy hay for your pet. Also, it is safe enough to feed it all through the day.

Other than that, avoid adding fruits and vegetables with a high calcium content to your pet’s diet. 

Remember that regular exercise can help reduce calcium naturally. When the guinea pig is active, it allows the kidney to function more efficiently and filter out calcium.

You will be able to prevent your guinea pig’s urine from thickening or turning cloudy with the suggestions we mentioned. However, make sure to always check with your veterinarian beforehand.

How much is a Texel guinea pig?

Let us focus on the Texel guinea pig price.   The cost usually varies from creditable breeders to places. It can depend on the color and size as well. Usually, the price range of a texel goes from 30$ to 40$. Sometimes the price can range between 20$ to 75$. At times though, the cost can increase even more. Also, Texels are becoming popular day by day. Eventually, their demand will grow to a level that they will not buy. So better hurry up and get your Texel soon!

Where can I buy a texel guinea pig?

• From your local pet store

One convenient way to buy a guinea pig is through your local pet store. If you do not have a small local pet store around, chances are there is a big commercialized pet store around your area. Such stores include Petsmart and Petco. 

• From Texel guinea pig breeders

If you could not get a textile guinea pig from your pet store, you might be wondering, “Where can I get a texel guinea pig?” Well, one way to find a texel guinea pig for sale is by directly contacting a breeder. Beware, though, because some breeders might be the same people selling guinea pigs to huge pet stores. However, do not give up hope. Still, many breeders do it out of love for these furry friends and treat the guinea pigs with care. 

Here is what you should do when purchasing your Texel from a breeder:

You can look up on the internet for nearby guinea pig breeders around your area. Google “who are the texel guinea pig breeders near me,” or “texel guinea pig near me,” and you will get the results. 

Also, if you want a particular breed of guinea pig, then include that in your search as well. You can find out not only about Texel but also about Abyssinian, Peruvian, and silkie guinea pig breeders online.

Once you choose a breeder, it is better to go to the breeder’s facility in person. That way, you get to check for yourself if the facility is clean and the living conditions of the guinea pigs.

Make sure to ask all the questions…

Make sure to ask all the questions you have from the breeder during the visit. Why- you may ask. The reason for visiting the place is to spot a genuinely good breeder from a bad one. You will notice that a good guinea pig breeder will be very knowledgeable and have sensible answers to your questions. Make sure to research a bit about your questions and answers before the visit to validate the breeder’s responses.

Also, make sure to look up online for reviews and more information about the breeder you chose. The best way to find out useful information is through blogs and forums. 

Apart from that, read online about how to raise a Texel. Also, you can talk to people you know who already own a guinea pig on how to maintain one. Check if you have enough money and time to keep a texel guinea pig in a loving and caring environment. 

Another way to find a guinea pig for sale is from a guinea pig rescue. However, the problem is that there are not many rescues around. So you may have to look beyond your area. It is especially the case in more rural areas.

If you wish to have Texel guinea pigs, remember that you may have to call around to breeders. As you know, Texels are still pretty rare. So chances of you finding one in your local pet store are slim. However, do not be disheartened if you cannot find breeders near you. Check beyond your location, and you will be able to find one. 

Once you find a breeder, make sure to ask for an initial health guarantee. You can also ask about the breeding line (your pig’s parents) to ensure they are free from heritable diseases.

Summary

There you have it- now you know all about texel guinea pigs. From their origin story to tips on finding texel breeders, you learned a lot about these adorable pets. Texels will make sweet and playful pets. Before you decide to adopt a Texel as your pet, make sure you can provide a safe and healthy environment for it. You have to give the pet a nutritious diet, plenty of space, and safety measures. Keep your pet happy, and these curly-haired furry friends will bring so much joy to you!