Hairless Pigs

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Tina Mappin

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Hi - can any one point me in the right direction to purchase some hairless pigs please?
 
Hi and welcome!

Skinny guinea pigs have special requirements due to their faster metabolism and need of regular skin care. Because of their hyper metabolism, they eat more and poop/pee accordingly, so you need to clean them out a lot more often than normal piggies. They should also be kept either indoors or in an insulated, temperature controlled shed. As guinea pigs go, they are not a starter breed, to be honest.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/caring-for-skinny-guinea-pigs.38166/

Please be aware that we are a rescue friendly, non-breeding, non-showing forum, so we can only point you to safe to use rescues we can vouch for - and those rescues will be very careful about who they rehome to, if at all (provided that they have got skinnies in).
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...forum-rules-please-read-before-posting.36529/
 
Yes I am aware - I have done my research and looked at their requirements. Chinchillas are expensive to keep.
 
I would recommend using the rescue locater at the top of the page and maybe phoning some close to you to see if they have any? I have one and he is a handful. They are very noisey compared to normal pigs and they need poos removing constantly. I think I poo pick at least 3 times a day when I'm at work and about 4-5 on days off. The fleece only lasts a day or two as they wee a lot, they go through hay and food like its going out of fashion, but they are super cute! My boy is only about 4 months old but he goes through about 4 times the amount of food of my others. He also wees in his food dish and I have never known a hairy one to do this.

I am constantly tiding up the hay as well as if it is on the floor of the cage it can poke their eyes due to no eye lashes so this again takes a lot of work & time!
 
Hairless guinea pigs are adorable, they look like baby hippos imo! Sorry, I'm also new to guinea pigs, so I don't have much to contribute
 
Regrettably, at this very moment in time, there a large number of hairless guinea pigs available - Including some of whom are only a few months old, and on their second, third, or fourth home (Typically, the reason for rehoming is that, the current owner has found that they do not have the time to, or feel that they cannot meet the guinea pig's requirements. . . Despite having "researched" the guinea pig's requirements beforehand)!

Nevertheless, I wish you the very best should you decide to adopt a couple of hairless guinea pigs!
 
Guinea-pigGaga said:
Regrettably, at this very moment in time, there a large number of hairless guinea pigs available - Including some of whom are only a few months old, and on their second, third, or fourth home (Typically, the reason for rehoming is that, the current owner has found that they do not have the time to, or feel that they cannot meet the guinea pig's requirements. . . Despite having "researched" the guinea pig's requirements beforehand)!

Nevertheless, I wish you the very best should you decide to adopt a couple of hairless guinea pigs!
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Where are these available?
 
I have 2 skinnies who came from my local rescue. They have been with me over 2 years now and back then weren't as "fashionable" as they are now. I agree with what everyone else has said, they are not the ideal breed to have as a first guinea pig. My Phoebe has lots of health issues. They are certainly unique though, have massive characters and are real divas.
 
helen105281 said:
I have 2 skinnies who came from my local rescue. They have been with me over 2 years now and back then weren't as "fashionable" as they are now. I agree with what everyone else has said, they are not the ideal breed to have as a first guinea pig. My Phoebe has lots of health issues. They are certainly unique though, have massive characters and are real divas.
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Can I ask are the heslth problems related to their breed?
 
I'm getting mine neutered soon as he is extremely dominant and I can't bond him with my boy. He even dominates me which I have never experienced before and ive had 5 boars if I stroke his head or touch his ears (I like to do this so they see me as top pig) he gets very rumbly and will not put up with me lol. I love him to bits but he is such a handful.

Do they handle ops ok?
 
I have noticed a few of these skinnies making their way into rescues over the last couple of months. I think people get fed up with their high needs after a few months :(

OP if that is the breed that you are fixed on you could ring round rescues. You might have to wait a bit but at least you will.have the satisfaction of providing a home to pigs in need :)
 
Regrettably, at this very moment in time, there appears to be a large number of people who are attempting to breed hairless guinea pigs for profit, and then finding avenues to dispose of their 'stock' when things do not go according to plan!
 
That's what i thought was happening as well Guineapig gaga :( i think they are being seen as money spinners at the moment as a result of some recent publicity :(

I do think they are gorgeously ugly! I would take one in and look after it if asked to but i would not race to adopt one as they are such hard work!
 
Guinea-pigGaga said:
Regrettably, at this very moment in time, there appears to be a large number of people who are attempting to breed hairless guinea pigs for profit, and then finding avenues to dispose of their 'stock' when things do not go according to plan!
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I've heard they have a high death rate In babies :(
 
Briony_Y said:
I'm getting mine neutered soon as he is extremely dominant and I can't bond him with my boy. He even dominates me which I have never experienced before and ive had 5 boars if I stroke his head or touch his ears (I like to do this so they see me as top pig) he gets very rumbly and will not put up with me lol. I love him to bits but he is such a handful.

Do they handle ops ok?
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I'm really not sure, neither of mine have had an op and there were none when I helped at clinic
 
It's absolutely infuriating - And extremely upsetting!

Regrettably, while the health of hairless guinea pigs has greatly improved over the years, the health of these animals are still very much a cause for concern!
 
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Its true regarding the cleaning as I have to make sure the hay is clear in case of eye pokes and what not. They are also poop and wee machines. Luckily I have a corner litter tray that they seem to be using well limiting the poop to one corner. Makes cleaning a lot easier. I have to spot clean twice a day however for the odd pile, especially in their Pigloo and I am always paranoid that they may scratch themselves on things so have no sharp plastic things in their palace!

I also have to check them over properly daily due to their skin being so sensitive. If their nails get too sharp it could result in nasty scrapes. I cut their nails once when I got them and luckily now they let me file them so it keeps off the sharp edges. Luckily also, this keeps them from getting to the length where they have to be cut. They don't mind the filing either!
 
Lady Thorneblood said:
Its true regarding the cleaning as I have to make sure the hay is clear in case of eye pokes and what not. They are also poop and wee machines. Luckily I have a corner litter tray that they seem to be using well limiting the poop to one corner. Makes cleaning a lot easier. I have to spot clean twice a day however for the odd pile, especially in their Pigloo and I am always paranoid that they may scratch themselves on things so have no sharp plastic things in their palace!

I also have to check them over properly daily due to their skin being so sensitive. If their nails get too sharp it could result in nasty scrapes. I cut their nails once when I got them and luckily now they let me file them so it keeps off the sharp edges. Luckily also, this keeps them from getting to the length where they have to be cut. They don't mind the filing either!
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What do you use to file them?
 
Briony_Y said:
What do you use to file them?
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I bought a mini set of emery boards from Boots. Fine cut. They sit on my lap and bury their heads in the crook of my elbow and I just run the file over. I am lucky as the boys were handled A LOT as weenie babies so they are used to the contact.
 
Lady thorneblood said:
I bought a mini set of emery boards from Boots. Fine cut. They sit on my lap and bury their heads in the crook of my elbow and I just run the file over. I am lucky as the boys were handled A LOT as weenie babies so they are used to the contact.
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My boy sadly Is very highly strung. He hates being held / touched. I might see if he will let me file them but I may have to stick with cutting. At min ge is only young so I only have to nip the pointy bits off, but I might start training him in advance.
 
Briony_Y said:
My boy sadly Is very highly strung. He hates being held / touched. I might see if he will let me file them but I may have to stick with cutting. At min ge is only young so I only have to nip the pointy bits off, but I might start training him in advance.
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It is a lot quicker to cut. I was just very scared I would cut too deep. The back feet are easier then the front however! I would never forgive myself if I hurt them :(
 
lady Thorneblood said:
Its quicker to cut. I was just very scared I would cut too deep. The back feet are easier then the front however! I would never forgive myself if I hurt them :(
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I think If your careful you'll be fine. I have been cutting nails for over 5 years and only had about 3/4 time when I've accidentally cut the quick.
 
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