How long do skinny pigs live

If you're looking for an animal whose vocals will never interrupt a dinner party or afternoon nap, a guinea pig might not be for you. While guinea pigs may be nervous or skittish at first, with consistent gentle handling, they usually become tame very easily. Careful handling is a must, and children should be supervised with them, but they are unlikely to bite even when stressed.

Guinea pigs are one of the few animals humans are another that cannot manufacture their own vitamin C , so they need to get it from their diet. Choosing a good quality diet and providing a variety of fresh foods and roughage is important, but most owners choose to also give their animals a vitamin C supplement.

Vitamin C tablets are considered a better way to supplement than adding vitamin C to your pet's water. Before heading out to buy a guinea pig, check with your local shelters or rescues for guinea pigs in need of a new home. Many guinea pigs end up at shelters and are in need of a second chance at a forever home. Shelter guinea pigs are generally social and easy-going. It should be easy to bond with an older guinea pig.

Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. The gene for hairlessness is recessive. This means that both parents need to carry it for the babies to have it passed along. So, if you breed two skinny pigs together, then all the babies will be hairless.

But if you breed a haired with a hairless guinea pig, then the babies could be haired or hairless. Then again, when you breed two haired guinea pigs together that both carry the gene, there is a chance of skinny pig babies.

However, most haired guinea pigs do not carry this gene, unless they are a part of a skinny pig breeding program. There are a few varieties of hairless guinea pigs, and not all the genes are the same. For example, one variety, the Baldwin guinea pig, which is utterly bald, has its hairlessness caused by a different gene. So a Baldwin crossed with a Skinny pig will amazingly produce haired babies!

And the skinny pig is no exception. In fact, in some cases it is preferred! Especially for research concerning skin conditions. They are used for testing various topical medications , as well as some rather more invasive things. They have been seen to be more sensitive when tested. Just like any other guinea pig variety, the hairless guinea pig is highly social.

They are happiest when in the company of at least one other guinea pig. These outgoing creatures will chatter away to each other, and to you. Skinny Pigs have teeth, so of course, they bite occasionally. Sometimes, Skinny pigs will bite you when they mean to nibble on themselves. This may indicate the presence of mites or fleas. Skinny Pigs are pretty easy to tame. Ensure that you handle them with care and supervise your kids with them. Essentially, they can be tamed like any other guinea pig.

You can view our complete article on taming a guinea pig here. Like other guinea pigs, skinny pigs just need space to roam. Instead, stick to letting them walk around in their cages or out once in a while. Especially regarding their immunity. However, skinny pigs today are what is known as immunocompetent. This means that they have a normal immune response to antigens. Their bodies now usually react properly to things that could make them sick.

So they do not have the same immune issues their predecessors did. They begin life as fully functioning, running babies. Just like any other guinea pig. But they have a few specific health issues due to their hairless nature. Sensitivity: They are much more sensitive to their environment, being irritated by the wood chippings for example. They are also far more sensitive to cold. In some climates it is fine to keep guinea pigs outdoors for much of the year, but a skinny pig will suffer from the cold far more quickly.

Exposure to Harm: Hair is also a great protection from physical harm. Be careful this Thanksgiving Why do cats knead and is this behavior normal? Do dogs really need pampering or are you going overboard? Why is your hamster shaking? When you should be worried How to stop or reduce excess shedding in your dog Can dogs eat turkey?

Be careful this Thanksgiving. Why do cats knead and is this behavior normal? When you should be worried. How to stop or reduce excess shedding in your dog. Can you give a dog Benadryl? Are you taking your cat to the vet often enough? What is reverse sneezing, and why do dogs do it?

So, ensure you are feeding the correct foods in the right amounts, with plentiful hay and forage on the side! Clean their enclosures regularly and thoroughly and ensure you handle your animals daily to keep a close eye on their health, seeking advice from an exotic vet should the need arise.

As with any animal, there can be health problems in guinea pigs that occur at any age. This can be very hard to deal with, especially if a young piggie is taken ill. With the best will in the world, and despite all the best efforts to provide a healthy environment for our furry friends, there will be problems beyond your control. We suggest that you find a good exotic vet who is used to dealing with guinea pigs and act quickly should you need to, as they can go downhill quickly.