Albino Guinea Pig: 10 Facts About Their Pink Eyes and Special Needs

You spotted a pure white guinea pig with pink eyes and you’re wondering what makes it different. Albino isn’t a breed.

It’s a genetic condition caused by the absence of melanin pigmentation.

Without melanin, these guinea pigs have completely white fur and translucent irises that appear pink. They’re extremely rare and often come with specific health concerns like poor eyesight and a weaker immune system.

Albino guinea pigs can still make great pets. They just need owners who understand their extra care requirements.

Here are 10 surprising facts about these unique white cavies and what it takes to keep them healthy.

What is an Albino Guinea Pig?

An albino guinea pig is a small animal that’s been born without the ability to produce melanin. Because of this genetic mutation, it lacks color in its hair and skin.

They have no color present, leaving them completely white. Their hair often has a yellow tinge to it because the lack of melanin causes them to produce pheomelanin instead.

Because its irises aren’t catching reflected light, the albino guinea pig has pink or red eyes. They’re translucent, so you can see through them.

White guinea pigs are actually born with pigmented eyes, but in albinos, the melanin dissipates over time until their eyes turn pink.

The main problem with albinism is that it often comes along with other health issues. Many albino guinea pigs have hair loss, as well as vision problems or a compromised immune system.

A white guinea pig might be very rare, but it makes a sweet pet.

10 Surprising Facts About White Guinea Pigs

Some of these facts about albino guinea pigs might genuinely surprise you.

1. Albino Guinea Pig Is Extremely Rare

So rare that people debate whether “true” albinos even exist. That’s how uncommon they are.

Guinea pigs are often seen in more common colors such as black, cream, chocolate, red, golden, white, lilac, beige, and slate or a mix of any of these colors. An albino guinea pig has plain white fur.

Because of its distinct color, a white guinea pig has limited ability to hide and is visible to many bigger animals that perceive it as prey. They stand out from the rest, making them very appealing to poachers worldwide.

Why people love them:

• They’re special in their own little way
• No need to walk them
• They don’t make loud noises or require much space
• No complaints from neighbors
• With these small animals, every day is a learning experience
• No need to worry about random things going missing or destroyed

2. Albino Guinea Pig Has A Limited Lifespan

Compared to non-albino guinea pigs with an average lifespan of 4-8 years, albinos often live shorter, for about three years.

Congenital deformities are the main culprit. Many are born blind in one or both eyes, and hearing loss is more common too.

An albino guinea pig is a fragile animal that requires care and attention. Frequent vet checks are needed to maximize their lifespan and ensure they don’t suffer.

Pneumonia or inflammation of the lungs is one of the main causes of their demise.

3. Keep Your Albino Guinea Pig’s Cage Clean

Cage cleanliness is the single most controllable factor. A dirty cage practically invites bacterial infections.

A dirty environment can also create mental and physical health problems for albino guinea pigs.

4. Keep Food Always Available

Fresh, organic vegetables and some fruits are ideal food for them to ensure they get proper nutrients.

These include:

• Bananas
• Blueberries
• Oranges
• Papayas
• Apples
• Pears
• Strawberries
• Watermelon
• Kiwi
• Cantaloupe
• Carrots and carrot tops
• Peas
• Tomatoes (not the stems or leaves)
• Green and red bell peppers
• Other dark green veggies

Wash store-bought produce thoroughly. Supermarket fruits and vegetables carry pesticide residues that can harm guinea pigs when ingested.

You should never serve cold fruit to your guinea pig. Be very mindful of plastic or papers that may have stuck to food.

Commercial guinea pig food works too. It’s formulated for balanced nutrition with the right dose of Vitamin C and other essential nutrients.

Remember to choose pelleted food that’s been veterinarian-tested and approved. Follow the feeding instructions on the packaging as a guide.

Just like any other guinea pig, an albino needs access to an adequate amount of clean water. They normally consume between 80-100 ml of water daily.

Pregnant guinea pigs require more.

Inverted glass water bottles are recommended to avoid chewing and spilling their contents.

5. Albino Guinea Pig Will Mark the Surroundings

Don’t be alarmed if your white guinea pig pees in different spots or drags its bottom across the bedding. That’s scent-marking through anal gland secretions and urine.

By doing so, it enables the guinea pig to spread his scent within his boundaries.

Some pet owners advise not cleaning their cage completely as it’ll remove the scented marks and may cause the pigs to become rattled. One recommendation is to selectively clean the soiled spots to maintain their scent.

This is something to consider when you add more guinea pigs to a common cage. Since their habitat will be shared, it’s ideal to remove the existing odors so that the pigs will feel they’re entering a new cage rather than having someone intrude on their territory.

Most albino guinea pigs are born either blind, deaf, or both. They rely on their extremely high sense of smell for survival and self-preservation.

You can learn more about guinea pig vision and how it affects their behavior.

6. Albino Guinea Pig Bites When Threatened Or Stressed

Even these little cuties get stressed. Noise, bigger animals nearby, and too much movement all trigger it.

You can’t expect guinea pigs to behave when they’re beside your cats or dogs or when kids are running free. Try to put yourself in their position.

At that size, you’d feel the same way.

You have to be very careful when petting them. Hold them with caution because their fragile bodies can easily be hurt if you squeeze too hard.

Start with occasional and light rubbing on their coat. From there, you can advance to feeding them from your palm once they get used to it.

Children need to be supervised while petting these small animals to make sure the albino guinea pigs aren’t accidentally hurt (or the other way around).

Guinea pigs are at low risk of carrying rabies but they can still transmit other diseases.

Ways to alleviate stress in albino guinea pigs

• Make sure your guinea pig’s cage is big enough
• Allow your guinea pigs to slowly adjust to a new environment
• Make any new food changes slowly
• Give your guinea pig a friend
• Talk to your guinea pigs in a soothing voice
• Let your piggies rest for a bit after handling them
• Keep a normal care routine
• Minimize loud noises and sudden movements

7. Albino Guinea Pig Is Susceptible to Illness

Corneal and gastric ulcers are common among white guinea pigs. The eyes of a white guinea pig can easily be irritated by hay, their bedding, or from quarreling with their peers.

That’s one reason some owners hesitate to house multiple guinea pigs together, especially two males. Boys tend to fight for dominance when sharing a cage.

Though there are instances of some pigs being quite sociable, living with their peers helps them overcome loneliness.

A guinea pig suffering from a corneal ulcer tends to stop eating. This can be treated with a special prescription of eye ointment from an exotics vet.

Another common disease is a gastric ulcer. They have a sensitive gastrointestinal tract like rabbits.

It’s necessary to clean the cage regularly because they defecate and urinate almost everywhere, which can contaminate their food and lead to gastrointestinal infections.

Guinea pigs in general are known to have respiratory tract infections. They’re prone to stomach upsets and bladder stones.

Vitamin C deficiency is a common enemy as they have limited ability to absorb nutrients. Skin problems including parasites, scurvy, fungal infections, barbering, and abscesses are also known issues.

8. Albino Guinea Pigs Are Closely Related To Chinchillas And Porcupines

Although they appear to resemble mice, guinea pigs are scientifically from the family of chinchillas and porcupines. This explains their crepuscular nature.

Albino guinea pigs are very active at dawn or dusk to feed, groom, or explore their cage.

Another trait a white guinea pig may have inherited from chinchillas is its inclination to burrow in underground tunnels or to nestle in rock crevasses. Both creatures are also very sensitive to sound.

9. Kissing an Albino Guinea Pig May Cause Severe Diarrhea

If you feel tempted to kiss your guinea pigs, don’t. Even giving them a mere nuzzle isn’t advisable.

Expressing affection is important but just skip the kissing part.

There’s a recorded case of individuals getting Salmonella enteritidis after coming in contact with their pet guinea pigs. So keep your lips and nose away from them.

Observe pet distancing and set limitations on close contact.

10. Albino Guinea Pig Misses Its Owners

Your albino genuinely looks forward to seeing you. They build familiarity through scent, so your smell means safety to them.

They recognize your scent and they’ll approach you, especially if you routinely give them treats. Albino guinea pigs get emotionally attached to their owners and create a bond over time.

One common sign of this is when their body vibrates when you pet them.

Keep this in mind, especially if you’re an outgoing person, a frequent traveler, or an employee tied to a daily work shift.

Albino Guinea Pigs Have the Same Placental Structure as Humans

Biomedical researchers use them because their placental structure mirrors ours. Their gestation period (time between conception and birth) is comparable to a human trimester.

Albino guinea pigs’ gestation period of 59-72 days can be equated to a trimester of human pregnancy. They too can develop pregnancy toxemia, which is characterized by an abrupt, sharp rise in blood pressure.

Albino Guinea Pigs Are Often Used For Testing

Sadly, guinea pigs rank among the most commonly used laboratory animals. Toxicology testing checks the irritant properties of chemicals, and companies must test their products before selling them.

A lot of products we use have gone through these tests: lotion, moisturizers, deodorant, perfume, soaps, and a vast variety of skincare items.

Unfortunately, guinea pigs’ lives are at stake to keep humans safe. The use of their kind in scientific experimentation has been globally accepted since the 17th century.

This is where the term “guinea pig” originates to describe an experimental subject.

Their susceptibility to infections and the similarity of their physiological and immune system to those of humans has made them ideal models for infectious disease studies. Guinea pigs were used to discover that tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Nowadays, a lot of animal welfare advocates and groups combat these practices and work to have guinea pigs rescued and rehomed.

What is the rarest guinea pig color?

The rarest color of guinea pig is probably fawn. Fawn is a dilution gene that results in the reduction of phaeomelanin production, which gives red pigment.

The result is brownish hair instead.

Asia has developed several breeds with this characteristic, but it’s difficult to find them in Europe or North America. There are no commercial breeders in this color.

If you’re interested in other rare colorings, you might want to read about the Himalayan guinea pig, which also has distinctive pink eyes but with darker points on its ears, nose, and feet.

Final Thoughts

Albino guinea pigs are rare, beautiful animals that need owners willing to provide extra care. Their shorter lifespan and sensitivity to illness means regular vet visits aren’t optional.

If you decide to get one, focus on a clean cage, proper nutrition, and a stress-free environment. These three things will give your albino piggy the best quality of life possible.

They’re special in their own unique way. With the right preparation, they can bring years of joy and companionship.