Ginger haired piggy

Question
Hi Pat,

I have a guinea haired guinea pig called Ed. When we first got him, he was a vibrant ginger colour, however after a year or so he started to change colour and it has never gone back to its original. He is now much darker in colour and some.parts are even brown. I just wondered if you knee what caused his colour change? His personality is still the same but wasn't sure if it was something to do with seasons although he has never gone back in the summer.

Thanks!

Keely x

Answer

Black Peruvian  

Australian Sheltie   If you sent me a picture I would get a better idea. Your description of a "guinea haired pig" isn't really enough.

If Ed is a long haired guinea pig this is absolutely normal. In a black short haired pig you see black because you're seeing the top coat. In most blacks, as with many colors other than white, if you separate the hairs you see that the undercoat is lighter in color.

With long haired pigs as they grow a full coat you are seeing pretty much only the undercoat, and it fades to a lighter color the closer to get to the skin.  If Ed is a long haired such as a Peruvian that's exactly what you're seeing.

It has nothing to do with seasons. And it won't go back to what you saw originally. The picture of the black and white pig is a Peruvian. You'll notice that the black coat appears very light, almost gray. This pig has not got a full 'show coat' as the owner chose to keep it trimmed shorter in order to keep it cleaner.  

A long coat is very difficult to manage and must be kept in wraps to keep it from breaking. The light colored pig was once nearly red as evidenced by the red face, but as the coat grows out it fades. Again, this is normal. This is a show animal and is called a Sheltie.