Where do skinny guinea pigs come from? and are they rare? you never see any on the rescue bit or anything like that? i think there gorgeous! Ive never seen one in a pet shop either? where they come from?
Probably a really stupid question
- Thread starter lincolnsmommy
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As far as I am aware Skinny Pigs aren't available to us all. You can't get them in pet shops thank the Lord and I don't think many are available in rescues either.
Those that have them will only let babes go to those who know how to care for them. GPQ has skinny's she has a website with lots of good info about them.
Those that have them will only let babes go to those who know how to care for them. GPQ has skinny's she has a website with lots of good info about them.
is it illegal to have them then without a licence or summut?
Goldie
Adult Guinea Pig
Am I right in thinking they are in the USA?
I found photos of some on a rescue site (.com) so I gathered it wasn't in this country. I didn't like them at all and I hope they don't become available here ... it looks like they have been skinned ready for the bbq! :...
I found photos of some on a rescue site (.com) so I gathered it wasn't in this country. I didn't like them at all and I hope they don't become available here ... it looks like they have been skinned ready for the bbq! :...
It's not illegal. To me it's just a bit taboo. They have been 'bigged' up in the media as the next 'designer pet' but they need different care from regular pigs, like room temperatures, creams (although I've read some people don't bother) so the ones that have them don't want the skinny's falling into the wrong hands.
Sadly I could never have them as my pet dander allergy means I can't have them in doors all year round. They look like little hippos!
Sadly I could never have them as my pet dander allergy means I can't have them in doors all year round. They look like little hippos!
Vikki
Adult Guinea Pig
Skinny pigs and Baldwins were bred for scientific research as the fact they were hairless was beneficial for testing upon grrrr
aritcle from america about them: http://www.pimms-pages.co.uk/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=26299
Also GPQ's site has a lot of information about them.
They are bred in the UK but breeders are selective about who they go to as they need specialist care. They also are very expensive the few I have seen recently advertised cost £100 each.
Think carefully before contemplating getting a skinny they need specialist care and are not to be taken on lightly. Luckily most breeders of the skinny are selective about who they go to, personally they are not my cup of tea, there has been a lot of hype about them being a 'designer pet' which has led to a very few unscrupulous people breeding just because of their large price tag.
aritcle from america about them: http://www.pimms-pages.co.uk/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=26299
Also GPQ's site has a lot of information about them.
They are bred in the UK but breeders are selective about who they go to as they need specialist care. They also are very expensive the few I have seen recently advertised cost £100 each.
Think carefully before contemplating getting a skinny they need specialist care and are not to be taken on lightly. Luckily most breeders of the skinny are selective about who they go to, personally they are not my cup of tea, there has been a lot of hype about them being a 'designer pet' which has led to a very few unscrupulous people breeding just because of their large price tag.
No, they are not illegal
What you may have heard is that they have been banned from being shown in UK. The British Cavy Council felt that there were serious welfare issues with showing these pigs and would not accept them. Unfortunately for pet owners, they are not even allowed to be taken into a show hall to let people see them or learn about their care – they are literally banned from the building (which is the first time this has happened to a breed).
This had to be done avoid misunderstandings. If a visitor came into the show hall they might (quite reasonably) believe that the animals were being exhibited or promoted in some way.
nutmeg
Senior Guinea Pig
Sorry you don't like them Goldie, I have only seen pictures of them here on the forum, a few people have them. I absolutely love them. Sunshine is probably right though I think with the Marmite thing. xx
thanks guys i understand abit more nw. i would love one but wouldnt since i dont know how to care for them but i think there adorable! x
sjpm
Junior Guinea Pig
I know a lady that has them in her pet shop not far from me, but all her animals are rescue ones and she knows her stuff so she'll make sure they go to a good home. She's had them a while, so not sure if anyone has shown any interest 
it's sad because they are so sweet and lively.
it's sad because they are so sweet and lively.I'm very surprised that any have turned up in UK rescues (I know that one was born to a skinny carrier at Thistle) as the UK 'Skinny people' are a fairly close-knit community and know where their pigs have gone. With the relaxation in EU importation laws I suspect that these have been directly imported by someone.
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