American Satin
The American satin guinea pig combines the American's short, straight, smooth coat with a satin sheen. Its coat lies close to the body without the rosettes of an Abyssinian or the flowing hair of a longhair. American Satin is recognized in ARBA's Standard of Perfection for 2026 to 2030 as a breed separate from American. The sheen changes how light reflects from the coat and can make colors appear especially intense. British terminology uses Satin for smooth satin cavies, a Full Standard breed in the British Cavy Council's current 2024 standard.
That standard also includes patterned and crested satin varieties. The European standard includes smooth Satin as well. A clean, fine coat with an even lie allows the sheen to show clearly, and gentle regular grooming suits this short coat. The bone disease fibrous osteodystrophy has been reported in satin guinea pigs, although its cause remains unsettled.
