Hides and houses
Shelves and ledges
Foraging and toys
Cage accessories
Kits and bundles
Fairy forest
Spooky mischief
Sweetie stash
Game mode
Forest floor
Castles and cathedrals
What is a curly-haired guinea pig?
A curly-haired guinea pig is any guinea pig whose hair kinks, waves or curls instead of lying flat. It is still the same animal as a smooth-coated guinea pig, with the same diet, space and company needs; only the coat and its grooming differ. Some curly guinea pigs are pedigree breeds, and many in rescues are crossbreeds that inherited a curly or rex-type coat from one parent. Our guide to guinea pig breeds covers every coat type.
Curly guinea pig breeds compared
| Breed | Coat | Head | Grooming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rex | Very short, about 1 cm (0.4 in), dense and woolly, standing on end | Smooth | Low |
| Teddy | Short, plush, kinked hairs that spring back; a little longer than a Rex, especially on the belly | Smooth, with a Roman nose | Low |
| Texel | Long ringlets all over, including the belly, often parted down the back | Short on the face, longer curls behind ears and along the jaw | High, daily |
| Merino | Long curls like a Texel's | A crest-type rosette between the eyes and ears | High, daily |
| Alpaca | Long, wavy, coarse hair; each strand changes colour from root to tip | A rosette on the forehead | Very high, daily detangling |
| Lunkarya | Dense, long, rough curls that stick out and can't be combed flat | Varies: forelock, swept back or crested | Very high |
Coat details are from PetMD's vet author Laurie Hess, WikiVet and the Tri-County Humane Society. Grooming ratings are our summary of what those sources and the RSPCA say about long and short coats.
How to tell which curly coat your guinea pig has
- Check the length. If the coat is short all over, you are looking at a Rex or Teddy type. If it grows long and falls around the body, it is one of the long curly breeds.
- Short coat: feel it. WikiVet describes the Rex coat as about 1 cm (0.4 in) long and standing on end. A Teddy's is a little longer and plusher, and springs back upright soon after you stroke it.
- Long coat: look at the head. No rosette and a coat that falls back with curls all over points to a Texel. A crest or rosette on the head suggests a Merino, and a rosette with a coarse, wavy coat suggests an Alpaca.
- Long coat: try to smooth it. PetMD says the Lunkarya's rough curls stick out in all directions and can't be combed flat. That wild look is the giveaway.
- Accept a mix. Many pet guinea pigs are crossbreeds. A curly crossbreed needs the grooming its coat length suggests, whatever its name.
Short curly coats: Rex and Teddy guinea pigs
The Rex and the Teddy look similar and come from different coat types. Both have short hair that stands up rather than lying flat. The Tri-County Humane Society describes the Rex as dense, woolly and upright, and the Teddy as dense and fuzzy, with longer hair than a Rex, especially on the belly. WikiVet adds that the Teddy's kinked hairs spring back soon after being disturbed.
These are among the easiest guinea pigs to care for. They don't tangle much, so a soft brush about once a week, more during a moult, is plenty. The RSPCA asks owners to groom all guinea pigs regularly and to notice changes in how they groom themselves, which can be an early sign of illness. The Teddy is recognised in the US; the Rex is shown mostly in the UK and Europe.
Long curly coats: Texel, Merino, Alpaca and Lunkarya
These are some of the most striking guinea pigs and some of the most work.
Texel
The Texel comes from England. PetMD describes soft, thick curls over the whole body, belly included, often parted down the middle of the back, with shorter hair on the face. It is usually said to come from crossing a Silkie (Sheltie) with a Rex. PetMD says it needs quite a bit of daily brushing to stay tangle-free and is not ideal for children or very busy adults.
Merino
A Merino has curls like a Texel's but a crested head: PetMD describes a broad head with short hair and a rosette between the eyes and ears. Think of it as a curly version of a crested long-haired guinea pig.
Alpaca
The Alpaca has a wavy, coarse coat with a rosette on its forehead, and each hair changes colour from root to tip. PetMD calls it extremely high-maintenance, needing daily brushing and detangling, and advises keeping it indoors in warm weather. If you like the look of a Peruvian guinea pig, the Alpaca is its curly cousin.
Lunkarya
The Lunkarya comes from Sweden and is rare in the US. PetMD describes dense, long, rough hair that sticks out in all directions, in three forms: a Peruvian type with a forelock, a Sheltie type with hair flowing back and a Coronet type with a crest.
How to groom a curly-haired guinea pig
Short curly coats need a weekly brush. Long curly coats need a short session every day, and a quick daily comb takes far less time than untangling a matted coat at the weekend. The RSPCA asks for daily grooming of long-haired breeds.
- Get the right tools. PetMD recommends a stainless steel comb and a gentle bristle brush for finishing. Avoid wire brushes, which can irritate the skin.
- Settle your guinea pig. Sit on the floor or at a table with a towel on your lap, and give a little hay or a piece of pepper to nibble.
- Comb in small sections. Work from the tips towards the skin, holding the hair near the root so you don't pull. Pay extra attention to the belly, the bottom, behind the ears and along the jaw, where Texels grow their longest curls.
- Pick out bedding. PetMD notes that bedding, litter, urine and droppings catch in long hair. Remove bits of hay and shavings as you go.
- Trim if needed. Trim long coats with blunt-ended scissors so they don't drag on the floor, and keep the fur around the bottom short. Never cut a mat close to the skin; ask a vet or groomer.
- Check the body. While you groom, look at the skin, teeth, nails and bottom. The RSPCA suggests checking teeth and nails weekly.
Daily combing saves money as well as time. PetMD suggests that if you comb a long coat every day, a professional groom every four to six weeks is enough. Skip the daily comb and mats build up that only a vet or groomer can safely remove.
Bath only when the coat is truly dirty. PetMD suggests a gentle shampoo, no conditioners or leave-in products, a folded towel in the sink for grip, one hand holding the guinea pig, and no blow dryer. Keep water out of the ears.
Heat, bedding and flystrike in curly guinea pigs
A long, dense coat changes three things about care. First, heat: the RSPCA gives an ideal room temperature of 17 to 20°C (63 to 68°F) and warns that above 26°C (79°F) guinea pigs risk heatstroke. Long-coated breeds feel heat sooner, so keep them out of sunny windows and away from radiators. Our guinea pig temperature guide covers the warning signs.
Second, bedding. The RSPCA suggests dust-free, absorbent bedding with hay on top and warns against pine, fluffy materials and coarse straw. Shavings and long hay tangle into curls, so for long curly breeds we'd choose a smoother bedding, such as fleece liners or paper, with hay offered in a rack or a separate area. That is our reasoning from how long coats pick up bedding; see our guinea pig bedding guide for the options.
Flystrike is often fatal, the RSPCA warns. Flies lay eggs in dirty fur, usually around the bottom, and long coats hide it. The RSPCA advises checking the fur and skin around the rear twice a day in warm weather. If you see maggots, damp or smelly fur or a guinea pig that is suddenly quiet, ring a vet straight away.
Third, health checks. The RSPCA notes that some breeds, long-haired ones among them, have features that can cause suffering, and advises asking a vet if you're unsure about a breed before you buy. Our guinea pig health guide lists the signs of illness.
Are curly guinea pigs good pets?
Yes, with the right coat for your time. A Teddy or Rex is as easy as a smooth guinea pig and has a lovely texture to stroke. A Texel, Merino, Alpaca or Lunkarya suits someone who enjoys a daily grooming session and can keep them cool. Whatever the coat, guinea pigs need company of their own kind; see our guide to guinea pig pairs. Rescues often have curly crossbreeds waiting for homes; our guide to where to get a guinea pig explains where to look. For everything else, see our complete guinea pig care guide.
Curly guinea pig questions
What is the curly guinea pig breed called?
There are several. The best known is the Texel, a long-haired guinea pig with curls all over, including the belly. The Teddy and Rex have short, springy coats that stand on end. The Merino, Alpaca and Lunkarya are long, curly or wavy breeds recognised mostly in the UK and Europe.
Do curly guinea pigs need haircuts?
Long curly breeds usually do. PetMD notes that some owners carefully trim the coat so it doesn't drag in the bedding, and a short trim around the bottom helps keep it clean. Short curly coats like the Rex and Teddy don't need trimming. Use blunt-ended scissors and trim little and often.
Are Teddy guinea pigs curly?
Not exactly. A Teddy's coat is short, dense and made of kinked hairs that stand on end and spring back when you stroke them, so it looks fuzzy and plush rather than curly. WikiVet notes it springs back upright soon after being disturbed. A Texel is the one with true ringlets.
Is a Texel guinea pig good for a first-time owner?
Only if you have time to groom every day. PetMD's vet author says the Texel needs quite a bit of daily brushing to stay tangle-free and is not ideal for children or very busy adults. A Teddy or Rex gives a similar textured look with far less grooming.
Can you bath a curly guinea pig?
Occasionally, when the coat is dirty. Use a gentle small-animal shampoo, hold the guinea pig securely on a towel in a shallow sink, rinse well, and let it air-dry in a warm, quiet room. PetMD advises against blow dryers, conditioners and leave-in products. Most of the time, a spot clean of the bottom is enough.
Do curly guinea pigs get hot more easily?
Long, dense coats hold heat, so yes. PetMD advises keeping Alpacas indoors in warm weather to prevent overheating. The RSPCA says guinea pigs are happiest at 17 to 20°C (63 to 68°F) and risk heatstroke above 26°C (79°F), so keep long curly breeds out of the sun and in a cool room.
