That guinea pig with the long, curly, shiny coat? It’s a Texel, a crossbreed between a British Rex and a Silkie that was officially recognized by the American Breeders Association in 1998.
They’re stunning, but their coat needs grooming at least once or twice a day to prevent tangles, mats, and parasites.
10 Interesting Facts About Texel Guinea Pigs
Read on to find fun facts about the Texel guinea pig to see if it fits you as your next pet.
The Origin of the Texel Guinea Pig
The Texel guinea pig isn’t purebred, but a crossbreed between a British Rex guinea pig and a Silkie guinea pig. The crossbreeding results between the two breeds gave rise to this creature of much beauty.
Crossbreeding started in 1980 in England and continued until 1998, when the American Breeders Association recognized the Texel guinea pig as an official breed. This recognition increased the number of people keeping them as pets.
Body Size and Weight
Expect your Texel guinea pig to reach between 8-10 inches long in maturity, which is the average length of any mature guinea pig. One easy way to distinguish males from females is body length, since males are usually longer.
A healthy mature cavy should weigh between 1.5-2.5 pounds (700-1200g), and the same applies to the Texel. Several factors, including diet, exercise, and genes, will affect a cavy’s weight.
Be careful to get the exact weight since the fur covering the body could be hiding overweight issues.
Coat and Colors
The Texel has a long curly, shiny coat that covers the whole body. It makes them even more admirable because you can show the Texel cavy in any color.
The coat color can range from black, white, gold, and even a mix of colors. The colors can be solid, mixed, or patterned.
Breeders use the term “self” to mean solid color coat and “non-self” for non-solid color coat. The color of the coat depends on the guinea pig’s genes.
The Health of the Texel Cavy
When housing, food, and exercise are dialed in, the pig’s health is usually solid. But health problems pop up from time to time with any guinea pig.
Knowing what to watch for ahead of time saves you stress later.
Coat Problems
Even though the guinea pig has a unique curly, long, and shiny coat, it doesn’t come without downsides. Tangles and mats can be a significant concern if you don’t take time to care for your pig’s coat, especially for an active cavy that moves a lot around its house.
The long coat is also susceptible to objects sticking on it, like grass and wood shavings. The long coat can create a home for pests including mites and lice, which can cause irritation if you’re not careful.
To make sure you overcome these problems, experts recommend grooming at least twice a day if possible or at least once if you don’t have time. A good guinea pig brush makes a big difference.
Wood shavings and anything that may stick to the pig’s coat shouldn’t be placed in the habitat as bedding.
Eye Problems
Texel guinea pigs are prone to an eye condition called Entropion in their early life. It’s a condition where the lower eyelid turns inward so the eyelashes keep rubbing against the eyeball, causing discomfort.
Main symptoms to watch for include cloudiness, redness in the eyes, closing eyes for extended periods, discharge, inflammation, and frequent eye scratching. The good news about Entropion is that you can quickly treat the condition using antibiotic eye drops once you notice the infection.
In severe cases, your pig may need surgical procedures to correct the condition. The two main surgical procedures include eyelid tightening and retractor reinsertion.
Excessive exposure to bacteria or fungal spores can also cause eye problems. You can treat these with the right antibacterial or antifungal medications.
In cases where two or more pigs share a cage, make sure they stay in harmony and don’t fight, as scratching can lead to corneal ulcers.
Sharp objects such as hay can also lead to corneal conditions. Keeping the Texel guinea pig’s cage clean is the best solution to avoiding bacteria and fungal build-up.
Digestive System Issues
Guinea pigs can have a sensitive digestive system. The significant issues to watch for include diarrhea, bladder stones (calculi), and cystitis (bladder infection).
Diarrhea can be caused by several bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Primary symptoms include weight loss, energy loss, lack of appetite, and dehydration.
If you’re not careful, your pet may die from these illnesses without seeming sick.
Ensure you provide enough grass hay such as timothy hay to enable good digestion. The hay provides your cavy with fiber which supports the digestion process.
To keep your Texel healthy, avoid foods with many calories such as legume hay like alfalfa. Foods like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbages should be given in small amounts and occasionally, as they tend to produce a lot of gas.
If you feed your pet large quantities, it may cause bloat.
Some of these disorders can be easily treated at home, and maintaining high cleanliness standards is vital. If you’re not sure how to handle these conditions, always seek a qualified vet’s assistance.
Dental Health
A guinea pig’s teeth tend to grow throughout its life span. To keep the teeth healthy, a guinea pig has to keep chewing and gnawing.
Experts recommend a diet rich in fiber with plenty of quality hay and grass daily.
If possible, add pellet foods compressed and designed for your cavy along with the hay and grass. Chewing toys can also help keep your pig’s teeth healthy.
If you can’t get the right toys, tree branches can act as the best alternative.
Make use of tree branches that are free from chemicals and pesticides. Hardwoods like apple, hickory, and maple are a great choice.
Elongated Roots
With continuous tooth growth, the roots can be pushed up or grown into the jaw. You may not be able to tell this problem through an oral examination.
However, you can tell the issue exists if you feel bumps in the bottom teeth along the lower jawline.
If you suspect an elongated root problem, an x-ray will show clear pictures of the cavy’s teeth structure. For piggies in the early stages, the vet uses a chin sling to treat the condition.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion refers to guinea pig teeth that are overgrown but not adequately worn out. The condition occurs in both front and back teeth.
As the condition worsens, your piggy’s ability to chew is affected, so teeth wearing off doesn’t happen. Malocclusion teeth result in injuries, sores, and infection in the pig’s mouth.
Signs include chewing on one side only, picking and instantly dropping food, holding food for long instead of chewing, and eye and nose discharge. The condition is usually treated by filing the front teeth.
Always seek a qualified vet service for this.
Broken Teeth and Tooth Loss
With all the chewing and gnawing guinea pigs do, broken teeth and tooth loss are things you should anticipate. For a healthy pig, the teeth will grow back.
The primary cause of broken teeth is lack of vitamin C. Be sure to provide your pet with enough vitamin C in their diet since they can’t produce it in their body.
Vitamin C is responsible for the growth of healthy bones and teeth. The best sources are vegetables with high amounts of vitamin C and fresh guinea pig pellets.
The Lifespan of Your Texel Cavy
Like many guinea pig breeds, the Texel has a lifespan of 5 to 7 years. Most guinea pigs make it up to 5 years, and getting one beyond this age is quite rare.
Learn more about how long guinea pigs live and what factors affect their longevity.
On reaching five years of age, your Texel cavy is considered a senior, and you may need to give them more attention and care. Experts also advise that at this age, you should arrange for your pet to be evaluated by a qualified vet.
The most frequent cause of death in guinea pigs is pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs, caused by bacterial infections. Food is another major cause.
Experts warn against chocolate (very dangerous), citrus fruits (too acidic), snacks, milk products, avocados, meat of any kind, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, and nuts.
What Are the Signs That Your Guinea Pig Is About to Die?
Watch out for these signs.
Lack of Appetite
A very ill Texel guinea pig will resist eating, and with time this’ll lead to weight loss. The cavy may also avoid drinking water, which can cause severe dehydration.
Take the time to monitor your pet’s eating and drinking pattern, and use a small scale to monitor weight changes.
Unusual Urine and Feces
Urine and feces can tell you a lot about the health conditions of your pet. When you notice signs of watery stool, bloodstains, and difficulty urinating, that means your pet needs medical care.
Little feces output is another sign that may seem minor but is actually dangerous.
Fever
High fever in guinea pigs is an indication your pet could be suffering from pneumonia, the leading cause of death among cavies.
Breathing Difficulties
These may be in the form of coughing, sneezing, panting, or wheezing. They’re a definite sign your pet is suffering from pneumonia, so you need to act fast.
Eye Condition
You can notice eye conditions when you see discharge from inflamed eyes. The eyes may also appear cloudy and dull.
Crusty substances may form around the eyes and the nose.
Difficulty in Movement
Difficulty in mobility is a sign your pig is sick. It’ll manifest through limping or lacking coordination.
Take time to notice your pet’s posture. If it’s not normal, something isn’t right.
Inferior Coat Condition
An inferior coat that looks dull and rough is a sign your pig is sick and might be dying. There can also be loss of the coat in patches and areas of inflamed skin.
How Active Is a Texel Guinea Pig?
Texel guinea pigs are active and love being outside. When making their habitat, always ensure enough space for these pets to move around and be happy.
Being active and moving around a lot ensures the guinea pigs get plenty of exercise and stay healthy, avoiding obesity. You may be tempted to let your pet move around outside its habitat, especially if the cage space seems small.
In such circumstances, ensure the environment is safe for the cavy. If you want to leave your pet outside, consider favorable climatic conditions, neither too cold nor too hot.
Preferably let your pet have fun time under tree shade.
As your cavy grows old, it becomes less active and spends more time sleeping. The movements drastically reduce, and it shouldn’t surprise you to notice your senior cavy spending more time in one place.
Are Texel Guinea Pigs Good Pets?
Without question. Texel guinea pigs have adorable qualities that make them good pets.
They’re small, friendly, and genuinely social. That curly coat also makes them a head-turner compared to other breeds.
Guinea pigs are also very clean animals. You should rarely bathe them, and as a warning, don’t wash them unless circumstances force you to.
Washing them may result in dry skin and coat damage.
On many occasions, the pets will groom themselves, but this shouldn’t prevent you from caring for them. Ensure you groom them as required.
Should You Consider Keeping a Guinea Pig?
The decision to raise a Texel guinea pig is personal and depends on many factors. If you’re not sure, answering the following questions can lead you in the right direction.
How Much Time Do You Have to Spare for Caring?
Texel guinea pigs are delicate animals. They need a lot of care, including feeding, grooming, stroking, exercise, and monitoring their weight and health.
If you don’t have time for this, then consider changing your mind.
Is a Guinea Pig a Suitable Pet for Your Family?
If you have a family, raising a pet would require their support. Your family will share the same space with your pet, so they need to be willing to help in caring for the pet.
Do You Have Enough Finances to Cater to the Pet?
Finances play a primary role in raising your pet in a healthy and relaxed environment. You need to buy food, create a cage, buy toys, and occasionally take your pet for a vet visit.
All these activities need you to put some cash aside.
Final Thoughts
The Texel guinea pig is a beautiful, rewarding pet for owners who don’t mind the daily grooming commitment. Their curly coat and friendly personality make them stand out from other breeds.
Take time to learn about their specific health needs and dietary requirements before bringing one home. With proper care, your Texel will thrive and bring a lot of joy to your household.
Frequently Asked Questions
Experts recommend grooming your Texel at least once daily, and twice if possible. Their long, curly coat tangles easily and can trap debris, parasites, and moisture. Regular brushing with a quality guinea pig brush prevents mats and lets you spot skin issues before they get serious.
Texel guinea pigs get along well with other breeds like Teddy, American, and Rex guinea pigs. Personality matters more than breed when pairing guinea pigs together. Introduce them gradually in a neutral space and provide enough room so each pig has its own hiding spot.
Texel guinea pigs are friendly and social, but their grooming demands make them better suited for experienced owners. Without time for daily coat care, keeping a Texel's fur healthy is tough. If you're new to guinea pigs, a short-haired breed like the Teddy is an easier starting point.
Texel guinea pigs typically cost between $20 and $75 depending on the breeder, color, and location. Show-quality Texels with rare coat patterns can cost more. Just remember, the purchase price is just the beginning, since ongoing costs for food, bedding, vet visits, and grooming supplies add up.
