Abyssinian satin guinea pig
The Abyssinian satin combines the rosetted Abyssinian coat with the satin gene, which alters the hair shaft so that it is hollower and reflects light — producing a distinctly glossy, almost wet-looking sheen.
The effect is striking and the variety wins in the show ring. It also carries a serious and well-documented health problem. The same gene is strongly associated with osteodystrophy, a painful degenerative bone disease in which the skeleton demineralises, and it is common enough that a number of national guinea pig clubs discourage or refuse to promote satin breeding altogether.
- Origin
- Abyssinian coat crossed with the satin gene
- Size
- 700–1200 g
- Lifespan
- Often shorter than 5–7 years if osteodystrophy develops
- Coat
- Rosetted and glossy, from a hollow hair shaft
- Health
- Strongly associated with satin osteodystrophy
- Grooming
- Weekly; check between the rosettes
Related: Guinea pig · Abyssinian guinea pig · Alpaca guinea pig · American guinea pig · American satin guinea pig
2 abyssinian satin guinea pig photos, newest first
Living with a abyssinian satin guinea pig
Know about satin osteodystrophy before buying one. The satin gene is linked to a degenerative bone condition causing pain, difficulty moving and eating, and often a shortened life. It typically appears in the first year or two. There is no cure, only pain management, and several guinea pig clubs advise against breeding satins for this reason.
If you keep one, watch for reluctance to move, a hunched posture, difficulty chewing or unexplained weight loss, and see a vet early — this is manageable in its effects even though it is not curable.
Otherwise: daily vitamin C, unlimited hay, company, and generous floor space.
General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual critters vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.
Worth reading alongside this
More critters by breed
Every critter breed somebody has posted a photo of.
- Abyssinian guinea pig3
- African pygmy hedgehog3
- Albino ferret3
- Astrex mouse3
- Beige chinchilla3
- Berkshire rat3
- Black bear hamster3
- Black sable ferret3
- Black velvet chinchilla3
- Ferret3
- Golden hamster3
- Guinea pig3
- Albino hedgehog2
- Algerian hedgehog2
- Alpaca guinea pig2
- American guinea pig2
- American satin guinea pig2
- Baldwin guinea pig2
- Blaze ferret2
- Blazed rat2