How do I care for skinny pigs?

Littlebubbles

Littlebubbles

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Hi, I'm looking to adopt skinny pigs ( neutered male and 2 females), but I don't know how to care for them , I already own 2 guinea pigs ,but I've heard skinny pigs care if very different.

How would I care for them?
 
I’m sure the experts will be here soon! The only thing I know is that they poo even more than fluffy piggies!
 
Skinny pigs are amazing pets, but they do require more care than regular furry pigs! The biggest thing being they have to be kept warmer and cannot live outside at all! I make sure my piggy rooms stays a minimum of 20 degrees in winter and 18 in summer, adding comfy cosy beds to the skinnies if needed.

They are eat more than a regular piggy, this is because they are burning more calories to keep their body temperatures up. They do need to be fed more nuggets or veggies than a furry pig, but they will eat though hay a lot faster! They need to be kept out of drafty areas. Along with eating more, the obvious consequence would be they produce more waste! My 3 skinny pigs are dirty little ones and poop for England!

Many sights advocate rubbing oils etc on their skin to keep it moist, but this IS NOT needed unless their is a medically diagnosed problem with the skin. They are very good at keeping themselves in tip top condition and if it isn't broken, don't fix it!

Outside time can be done, but it has to be warm enough in the shade for them to graze as they need to be fully in shade to protect their skin. Putting sun cream on them is not advised.

Other than that, they are just loud! It seems to be a skinny thing (or at least my skinnies!)

Please enjoy them though, as long as you are aware of the extra care, then they are just fantastic!

Hope this helps!
 
Flutterby said:
Skinny pigs are amazing pets, but they do require more care than regular furry pigs! The biggest thing being they have to be kept warmer and cannot live outside at all! I make sure my piggy rooms stays a minimum of 20 degrees in winter and 18 in summer, adding comfy cosy beds to the skinnies if needed.

They are eat more than a regular piggy, this is because they are burning more calories to keep their body temperatures up. They do need to be fed more nuggets or veggies than a furry pig, but they will eat though hay a lot faster! They need to be kept out of drafty areas. Along with eating more, the obvious consequence would be they produce more waste! My 3 skinny pigs are dirty little ones and poop for England!

Many sights advocate rubbing oils etc on their skin to keep it moist, but this IS NOT needed unless their is a medically diagnosed problem with the skin. They are very good at keeping themselves in tip top condition and if it isn't broken, don't fix it!

Outside time can be done, but it has to be warm enough in the shade for them to graze as they need to be fully in shade to protect their skin. Putting sun cream on them is not advised.

Other than that, they are just loud! It seems to be a skinny thing (or at least my skinnies!)

Please enjoy them though, as long as you are aware of the extra care, then they are just fantastic!

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Thanks so much!
I'm building 2 c+c cage for all my piggies .
One for the 3 skinny pigs and one for my other 2
 
Flutterby said:
Skinny pigs are amazing pets, but they do require more care than regular furry pigs! The biggest thing being they have to be kept warmer and cannot live outside at all! I make sure my piggy rooms stays a minimum of 20 degrees in winter and 18 in summer, adding comfy cosy beds to the skinnies if needed.

They are eat more than a regular piggy, this is because they are burning more calories to keep their body temperatures up. They do need to be fed more nuggets or veggies than a furry pig, but they will eat though hay a lot faster! They need to be kept out of drafty areas. Along with eating more, the obvious consequence would be they produce more waste! My 3 skinny pigs are dirty little ones and poop for England!

Many sights advocate rubbing oils etc on their skin to keep it moist, but this IS NOT needed unless their is a medically diagnosed problem with the skin. They are very good at keeping themselves in tip top condition and if it isn't broken, don't fix it!

Outside time can be done, but it has to be warm enough in the shade for them to graze as they need to be fully in shade to protect their skin. Putting sun cream on them is not advised.

Other than that, they are just loud! It seems to be a skinny thing (or at least my skinnies!)

Please enjoy them though, as long as you are aware of the extra care, then they are just fantastic!

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Can you bond haired guinea pigs with hairless guinea pigs?
 
Littlebubbles said:
Can you bond haired guinea pigs with hairless guinea pigs?
Click to expand...

Yes of course, same rules apply for all bondings. Just be aware that skinnies are more prone to scratches etc in exuberant bondings due to not having fur to protect them :)
 
Littlebubbles said:
Oh okay , that's good !
Is a big herd trickier to care for?
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As long as the bondings of the pigs have been done properly and they all get along, plus you provide the space they need to live well then having a herd is no different to having separate groups in my opinion.
 
Hi! We have a skinny pig girl, living with a furry husboar. Skinnies are pretty high maintenance, they need keeping at a pretty constant room temperature, and lots of soft fleecy beds. And they eat and poop a lot, really an unbelievable amount of poop. And mine wees a lot too, a clean fluffy bed often needs washing in 24 hours or less, its just soaked and stinky! And she is incredibly loud, wheeks like a fire alarm, often at 3am. Chews everything. Rattles her water bottle until it falls off. And she's a bit hyperactive, constantly on the move, even when she's sleeping its standing up with her ears twitching. And she hates being touched anywhere except her nose and ears.
I love Tallulah very much but I honestly dont think I could say she makes a good pet, she's very entertaining to watch and very cute but... she's a bit mad!
I think Tallulah skinny pig alone is actually more hard work than my other main herd of 6 chilled out furry pigs!
 
Littlebubbles said:
Thanks so much!
I'm building 2 c+c cage for all my piggies .
One for the 3 skinny pigs and one for my other 2
Click to expand...

Do you already have the 3 skinny pigs? Photos please - we don’t have many skinnies on the forum and love photos.
 
As I said before, I think it would be best if you stick to the two (or is it 4 including the boy that was abandoned) guinea pigs that you have for the moment. Going by yourself questions over the past few days, you’re not too experienced in keeping/looking after them. You were told skinnies are harder work with having to keep them warm etc.

concentrate on the ones you have for now.
Do you also keep the rabbits in the same room as the guinea pigs? I think others will advise you that it’s not a good idea.
 
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I agree with @Siikibam . I have been reading the other posts and the questions you have been asking and think it’s best to stick to the ones you have for now. Guinea pigs require a lot of care when done properly and vet treatment can be very costly too!
 
Siikibam said:
As I said before, I think it would be best if you stick to the two (or is it 4 including the boy that was abandoned) guinea pigs that you have for the moment. Going by yourself questions over the past few days, you’re not too experienced in keeping/looking after them. You were told skinnies are harder work with having to keep them warm etc.

concentrate on the ones you have for now.
Do you also keep the rabbits in the same room as the guinea pigs? I think others will advise you that it’s not a good idea.
Click to expand...
Oh okay , no , the rabbits and guinea pigs do not live in the same room .
 
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