Discover 30 Colors of Guinea Pigs (Rarest to Most Common)

Charming, cuddly, and super cute, guinea pigs hold a special place in the world of small animals, each one bursting with vibrant colors and unique traits. Sometimes called “cavies” (from their scientific name, Cavia porcellus), guinea pigs originate from South America and have been beloved pets in North America and Europe since the sixteenth century, due to their sweet natures. From soft pastels to bold and vibrant patterns, a mesmerizing array of guinea pigs is waiting to steal your heart. Let’s dive in and discover the many colors of guinea pigs, from the rarest hues to the most common shades! 

1. Dalmatian

Similar to the Dalmatian dog breed, Dalmatian guinea pigs also have white coats with dark spots and dark-colored heads. These guinea pigs are rare, as they can only be produced by two Dalmatian guinea pig parents. However, breeding two Dalmatian guinea pigs together can result in what is referred to as a “lethal white” guinea pig offspring. Tragically, lethal white guinea pigs are deformed and cannot survive. Even more unfortunate, is that one and every four babies born to a breeding pair of Dalmatian guinea pigs will likely be deformed and die. As you can imagine, some breeders refuse to breed Dalmatian guinea pigs together at all, as the risk is too great.

2. White Crested

You won’t see white crested guinea pigs very often, as these are one of the rarest colors of guinea pigs. In general, white crested guinea pigs have smooth, short coats with dense fur. Beautiful and unique, white crested guinea pigs have solid-colored bodies with a distinct white crest, rosette, or bold tuft of white hair on top of their heads.

3. Fox and Otter

From a distance, fox and otter guinea pigs may sometimes appear almost solid in color. However, if you take a closer look, they actually have a very distinctive coloring that sets them apart. Fox and otter guinea pigs have a delicate ticking effect scattered throughout their bodies, as well as pale regions around the chest, stomach, and eyes. In addition, they have unique “pea spots”, which are small white patches located next to their ears. You may hear different names for these guinea pigs, depending on their coloring, such as “black otters” or “grey foxes”.

4. Tan

Similar to the fox guinea pig, tan guinea pigs also have a solid base color, but with subtle tan markings or reddish ticking on their muzzles, bellies, and eyes. In addition, they also have little pea spot patches of color next to their ears. You can find tan guinea pigs that are beige, lilac, black, and chocolate, and some even have a lovely orange band around their chins. 

5. Roan

Roan guinea pigs have a unique mutation, giving them a solid-colored coat with evenly mixed white hairs throughout. This unique coat color is always a combination of white and another hue — often black or brown. The white hairs are evenly distributed throughout the coat, resulting in a striking speckled or mottled look, which is especially prominent on their backs. This unique coloring can sometimes be confused with a Dalmatian pattern — but roan guinea pigs typically have more of a “salt and pepper” appearance rather than patches of color.

Similar to Dalmatian guinea pigs, however, breeding two roan guinea pigs together results in the potential tragedy of lethal white syndrome. This harrowing condition manifests in the form of deformities that afflict the innocent offspring. Fortunately, you can still get roan guinea pigs from one full roan parent and one non-roan parent. 

6. Magpie

Another rare but equally stunning color of guinea pigs is magpie. Magpie guinea pigs have large dark eyes, and their bodies are split down the center with a half-white and half-black fur coat. The two colors alternate along each side of the body in a large checkerboard or patchwork pattern. They can also have some brindling or crossover between the patches, creating a more mottled or speckled appearance. In addition, there are also brown magpie guinea pigs, with a mix of brownish-white, white, and brown.  

7. Argente

Like many other animals, Argente guinea pigs have “ticked” coats. Each of their hairs has two different colors and bands — in other words, each individual hair starts with a light band, then a dark band in the middle, and ends with another light band. Argente guinea pigs come in a limited range of lighter colors, including beige, golden, white, and lilac. In addition, Argente guinea pigs also have a noticeably pink tinge in their eyes.

8. Himalayan

Himalayan guinea pigs have colors and patterns that resemble a Himalayan cat. However, unlike Himalayan cats, Himalayan guinea pigs are actually albino! These unique guinea pigs sport a predominantly white coat, with “colored points” or darker colors on their feet, ears, and nose. They also have dazzling red eyes. Himalayan guinea pigs are popular as pets and in the show ring.

9. Pink

One of the truly unique types of guinea pigs you’ll find today are “skinny pigs”, a special type of hairless guinea pig. Some often do have hair on their legs, feet, or muzzles, but are predominantly hairless otherwise or merely have a thing coat of “fuzz” on their bodies. Skinny pigs typically have smooth skin with a few wrinkles around their joints, and sport adorably plump little bodies. They can come in a wide array of colors and patterns, from Himalayan to brindle, Dutch, and even pink! Yep, some skinny pigs appear pink or have a pinkish hue to their skin due to their lack of fur.

10. Brindle

Another rare color of guinea pigs is brindle. The stunning fur of brindle guinea pigs is a delightful blend of different hues all mixed together, creating a unique and eye-catching pattern that really sets them apart. Most of the time the colors intertwine seamlessly, but you may occasionally spot patches where red or black hues dominate. Brindle guinea pigs also have bright and expressive eyes, which adds to their sleek and elegant appearance.

11. Dutch

Similar to Dutch rabbits, Dutch guinea pigs boast a white chest and front legs that boldly contrast against a different color on their lower stomachs and rear ends. A white triangle-shaped pattern encircles the animal’s muzzle and gently tapers off toward the top of the head, drawing attention to its adorable little face. Dutch guinea pigs also have fine white hair on their feet and white toenails, adding a touch of refinement to their overall appearance.

12. Harlequin

Harlequin guinea pigs have a similar pattern to magpie guinea pigs but with slightly different colors. Instead of brown and white or black and white, Harlequin guinea pigs have black and white coats with large and distinct patches of yellow or orange. In addition, harlequin guinea pigs are more common than magpie guinea pigs. There are also chocolate harlequin guinea pigs, with chocolate brown instead of back coloring.

13. Agouti

This captivating color pattern can grace the fur of any adorable guinea pig breed. Agouti guinea pigs are quite unique; each individual strand of hair showcases two bands of color that alternate along its length. In other words, the base of each hair is one color, while the tip of each hair is an entirely different color. 

For example, the hairs of a silver agouti guinea pig have a black or dark gray base, while the tips are silver. Chocolate agoutis, on the other hand, have a deep rich chocolate hair base with orange tips. This special arrangement creates a beautifully ticked or flecked appearance. Agouti guinea pigs with short hair are more common, but this color can also be seen in long-haired breeds as well.

14. Tortoiseshell

Just like tortoiseshell cats, tortoiseshell guinea pigs boast stunning coats with distinct black and red colors. This unique coloring actually makes them one of the most sought-after and popular varieties of guinea pig, both in the show ring and in the pet world. Some tortoiseshell guinea pigs have clearly separated colors with defined patches of red and black. Others, however, may showcase colors that are beautifully mixed together, creating a more blended and intricate appearance.

15. Tricolor 

Guinea pigs with tricolor coats have a unique combination of three different colors, creating a stunning mosaic in their fur coats. One of the most common combinations is black, white, and red orange. However, tricolor guinea pigs can come in many other color combinations as well, such as gold, cream, and brown.

16. Calico

With bold square patches in three distinct colors, the patterns on calico guinea pigs do not overlap or blend together, making them look like furry and colorful patchwork quilts. One of the three colors is always white, and commonly the other two are black and red. Tricolor guinea pigs may have either pink or dark eyes. 

17. Tortoise and White

One of the most popular colors of guinea pigs is the tortoise and white, a red and black tortoiseshell guinea pig with additional white patterning. The three colors are neatly separated, creating a very aesthetically pleasing appearance. In addition, these patches of colors are typically about the same size and neatly arranged.  

18. Bicolor

Similar to tricolor, bicolor guinea pigs have a charming combination of hues — but instead of three, they only have two different colors. The two colors are distributed in unique patches on their bodies, usually with minimal overlap. 

19. Broken Coat

Guinea pigs with a combination of colors that are not “officially” recognized are referred to as “broken colored” or “broken coat” cavies. These guinea pigs are essentially a mix of two-color types. For example, you might have a white guinea pig that also has a small patch of black and red ticking. In this case, it would be referred to as a “white-and-goulden-agouti” guinea pig. Or say your guinea pig is lilac but also has a bit of cream and white in their coat, then you would refer to it as a “lilac-cream-and-white”.

Solid Guinea Pig Colors (Self Guinea Pigs)

The most common colors of guinea pigs are seen in solid fur coats, without any patterns, blotches, or ticking. These are known as monocolored guinea pigs or self guinea pigs. Solid-colored guinea pigs fall into three categories or families: the black series, the brown series, and the white series. 

20. Lilac

One of the more unique colors of self guinea pigs is the lilac guinea pig, a color from the black series. Lilac guinea pigs are known for their stunning solid lilac or pale blue-purple coats. It is a beautiful medium dove gray, without any beige undertones. These lovely guinea pigs also have charming pink eyes and delicate pink or lilac ears and paw pads. 

21. Slate

Picture a misty morning sky with captivating shades of gray — that’s basically what a slate guinea pig looks like! A captivating shade of slate gray covers these soft animals from head to toe, giving them a very elegant appearance. In addition, slate guinea pigs have dark eyes that are deep and mysterious, adding to their allure. 

22. Golden

Similar in color to the golden retriever dog breed, golden guinea pigs have beautiful coats with a dark beige or matte brown and deep yellow, gold, or red undertones. Some have dark and rich golden shades, while others display paler golden colors with lighter hues. 

23. Buff

Emanating warmth and elegance, buff guinea pigs have coats that are a gentle yellowish brown with pronounced undertones of rich brown, reminiscent of supple Buffalo leather. When they are younger, they actually start out with lighter red or reddish-brown colors, but these transform into enchanting caramel hues as they mature. 

24. Chocolate

Chocolate guinea pigs have a rich, solid brown coat with deep chocolate hues and no traces of yellow or red. Their ears, paw pads, and eyes are also dark, adding to their enchanting and sophisticated appearance. 

25. Cream

The fur coat of a cream guinea pig is a uniform hue of ivory or cream, without any undertones of orange or white. Their eyes enhance their appearance as well — dark and sparkling, they create a mesmerizing contrast against the soft creamy hues of their fur coats.

26. Saffron

The lively colors of a saffron guinea pig are nothing short of exquisite, a breathtaking blend of yellow fur with captivating orange undertones. A member of the brown color variety, saffron guinea pigs stand out with their distinct and deeper shades while maintaining a delicate touch of brown. Echoes with shades of gold, red, and chocolate within their luxurious hair further give saffron guinea pigs a charmingly warm and enchanting glow. 

27. Red

Another color within the brown variety, the fiery coats of red guinea pigs shine with an aura of warmth and intensity. Ginger or red guinea pigs come in a stunning array of shades, ranging from gentle orangish-red and subtle variations of copper to rich sangria hues. 

28. Black

Dark and intriguing, black guinea pigs are popular not only for their stunning appearance but also for the ease of maintenance they offer compared to lighter colors. And for those seeking an extra touch of elegance, black satin guinea pigs certainly take the spotlight. With their sleek and polished appearance, these dark-haired beauties invite endless cuddles and admiration.

29. White 

One of the most popular and common colors of guinea pigs is white. White guinea pigs are typically categorized into two sub-varieties based on eye color: dark-eyed whites and pink-eyed whites. This distinction stems from albinism, a genetic mutation that affects the production of melanin. While guinea pigs with a plain white coat typically have dark eyes, the eyes of albino guinea pigs have a mesmerizing red or pinkish hue. No matter their eye color, however, the stunning white coats of either type give these guinea pigs a beautiful and highly sought-after appearance. 

30. Beige

One of the most common colors of guinea pigs is beige, a harmonious symphony of light brown and delicate hints of yellow tones. Beige guinea pigs look as if they took a bath in sun-kissed sands, evoking a sense of warmth and tranquility. 

Summary of 30 Colors of Guinea Pigs (Rarest to Most Common)