Roan Guinea Pig

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, smooth coat with white hairs mixed through the colour

A smooth-coated cavy whose body, belly included, is an even mix of white and coloured hairs, giving a soft, frosted look with no patches or shading. The head and feet stay solid-coloured and are cleanly separated from the roaned body. Roans are usually named after their base colour, such as Red Roan or Black Roan.1768

Personality what they are like

A Roan is a coat pattern rather than a separate type, so it has the usual guinea pig temperament: social, vocal with its companions and gentle once it is used to calm, regular handling.43

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Guinea pigs stay active for much of the day and night, resting in short naps. Give them daily time in a bigger, safe space with tunnels and hides to explore. Happy guinea pigs often jump and twist in the air, which owners call 'popcorning'.43

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Brush the short coat now and then to remove loose hair. Check nails regularly and trim when needed, and keep hay available for healthy tooth wear.46

Home where they are happiest

A spacious enclosure with a solid floor and a deep layer of dust-free bedding, tall enough for the guinea pig to stand up on its back legs. Offer at least one more hiding place than the number of guinea pigs. Keep them in a comfortable room temperature of about 17-20 C, shield them from heat above about 26 C, and bring outdoor guinea pigs indoors when it drops below about 15 C. Spot-clean daily and clean thoroughly at least once a week.9

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Plenty of good hay, available all the time, should form most of the diet, with fresh grass where possible. Add a measured daily portion of grass-based guinea pig pellets and a daily mix of fresh vegetables and herbs. Guinea pigs need vitamin C from their food every day because their bodies do not make it. Keep fruit as a small, occasional treat and make sure clean water is always available.1043

Company who they like around

A very social animal that should share its home with at least one compatible guinea pig; pairs or small groups suit them best. In the wild, cavies live in small family groups.49

The story where it all began

Guinea pigs were first domesticated in the Andes of South America and reached Europe with traders in the 1500s, where they became popular pets. Show breeders later developed the Roan, with white hairs spread evenly through a coloured coat, and in Britain it shares a specialist club with the Dalmatian. Both patterns come from the same gene, with other genes deciding which look appears.328

Recognised by the official bits

British Cavy Council

Full standard, updated 1 January 2024. Points: head, eyes and ears 15, body shape 10, markings 60 (head 20, roaning 30, feet 10), colour 10, coat 5. Any trace of a blaze disqualifies. Roans in guide-standard Self or ticked colours are treated as guide standards.1

British Cavy Council

Specialist club: Dalmation & Roan Cavy Club, covering Self colours (except White) and Agouti colours.2