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The Himalayan guinea pig commonly referred to as the ‘Siamese cats of the guinea pigs’, is a popular breed of domestic cavies known for their unique albino appearance. Although they are born fully white, they start developing colors ears, nose, and feet when they become three weeks old. As they mature, the Himalayans take about three months to reach their final coloring. Like most guinea pigs around the world, the Himalayan guineas originated in South America and were taken to Europe by explorers hundreds of years ago. Then, they were imported to North America. Despite being a highly sought-after breed, the Himalayan has not yet been recognized by the American Cavy Breeders Association (ACBA).
| Kept As: | Indoor pet, competition/show cavy |
| Suited For: | Experienced owners, families with older children, singles, seniors |
| Origin: | South America |
| Temperament: | Friendly, lovable, sociable, calm, gentle, sensitive |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
| Lifespan: | 5-7 years |
| Association/Clubs: | National Himalayan Cavy Club |
| Breed Standard: | British Cavy Council |
Size: 8-12 inches long
Weight: 1.5-2.6 lbs
Height: 9-13 inches
Width: About 10-13 inches
Fur Length: Short-haired
Fur Texture: Soft, smooth, clean; should be groomed so that it does not have guard hairs
Color: Pure white with point coloration, i.e., dark pink/black/chocolate-colored face, ears, paws, and feet; dark red or ruby eyes
Aside from regular spot cleaning their cage, make sure to keep the enclosure moderately shady because too much exposure to direct sunlight may cause their point coloration to fade away. Contact with sunlight also hurts their eyes and causes sunburn.
For Himalayan guineas, a cage with minimum dimensions 30 X 50 X 20 inches and a floor space of 1512-1872 square inches is needed. You may use a larger enclosure, as it will help your cavies to play and run more freely.
The mainstay of the Himalayan guinea pig’s diet is timothy or fescue hay. Therefore, its regular diet should include plenty of hay, roughly two tablespoons of fresh vitamin C-rich pellets, and one cup of dark, leafy greens and fruits.
As a short-haired breed, the Himalayans do not need as much grooming as the long-haired cavies. Brush your cavies’ coat once or twice per week with a soft-bristled baby brush to remove loose hairs and keep them clean.
They are always happy around humans and enjoy the company of other guinea pigs. Allow them to wander around in the house and explore new objects and places. Make sure that they get at least an hour of activity per day.
You can get a Himalayan from rescue shelters or pet stores for $30-$40. The yearly cost of maintaining a Himalayan cavy is average.
Although they are an average shedder, Himalayans tend to shed more than usual during the summer months and springtime. You may brush their coat twice or thrice a week to minimize shedding.
