Skinny Pigs

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Well as a skinny pig owner, I have to say that the article is definitely skewed as I find most of the Daily Mails article are, to get a reaction of outrage. :))

"A spokeswoman from the RSPCA said the lack of fur can cause unnecessary pain, discomfort, illness and behavioural problems and that no animal should be bred primarily for how it looks."

Not sure how anyone can say that a lack of fur can cause these things. Like all pets, skinnies have their own individual needs e.g to be kept warm enough and if they aren't, then of course these things could occur, but not just because they are skinnies!

All pedigree animals are bred primarily for how they look, aren't they?

"She added: 'The RSPCA wouldn't recommend people buy these animals due to the welfare problems associated with selectively breeding them for lack of hair, and because they will have complex needs that must be met to keep them happy and healthy."

They don't have complex needs. They need warmth, enough good quality food and a safe environment, just like other pets.

I'm not saying that I agree with people who just want one because it's the latest thing and that haven't done their research, and of course people should rescue, but let's not get hysterical. :))

Of course, just like many fashion animals before them, I expect skinnies will soon turn up more frequently in rescues as people get tired of them or the novelty wears off. :(
 
Oh and BTW, I never considered they looked like Clangers lol. More like mini hippos I would have said. :))
 
They look like they could do with the Clangers outfits to keep them warm!
 
not a fan myself, i prefer mine with coat on! And i know its bad....... but....... they look like the already cooked ones you see on google images, hehe!
I think the hairless rats look more like clangers :p
 
branechild said:
not a fan myself, i prefer mine with coat on! And i know its bad....... but....... they look like the already cooked ones you see on google images, hehe!
I think the hairless rats look more like clangers :p
Click to expand...

Oven ready! :))
 
The daily mail will always exaggerate everything.

What I was more interested in was the "fact" that they are the latest craze and I sincerely hope the people who buy skinny's don't get bored or fed up of them.

Personally I would never get one as I don't buy animals and I also never get an animal based on looks. I'm a sucker for a sad story and will go for the ugly one (although all my current animals are just beautiful!)
 
I would like a skinny but I know I would never spend £100 on an animal unless it was a donation to a charity and I can just about keep my own pigs with fur warm so a skinny would not do well where I live right now so it wouldn't be fair...:) I'd adopt one when in the right situation, it needs information... if the RSPCA are getting things wrong, don't judge them, educate them! I want to be an RSPCA officer and I will take my knowledge with me...
 
MargaretB said:
Well as a skinny pig owner, I have to say that the article is definitely skewed as I find most of the Daily Mails article are, to get a reaction of outrage. :))

"A spokeswoman from the RSPCA said the lack of fur can cause unnecessary pain, discomfort, illness and behavioural problems and that no animal should be bred primarily for how it looks."

Not sure how anyone can say that a lack of fur can cause these things. Like all pets, skinnies have their own individual needs e.g to be kept warm enough and if they aren't, then of course these things could occur, but not just because they are skinnies!

All pedigree animals are bred primarily for how they look, aren't they?

"She added: 'The RSPCA wouldn't recommend people buy these animals due to the welfare problems associated with selectively breeding them for lack of hair, and because they will have complex needs that must be met to keep them happy and healthy."

They don't have complex needs. They need warmth, enough good quality food and a safe environment, just like other pets.

I'm not saying that I agree with people who just want one because it's the latest thing and that haven't done their research, and of course people should rescue, but let's not get hysterical. :))

Of course, just like many fashion animals before them, I expect skinnies will soon turn up more frequently in rescues as people get tired of them or the novelty wears off. :(
Click to expand...

I think it's fair to say their needs are slightly more complex than their furred counterparts due to the disadvantages of not having fur and it's important such points are emphasised so people aren't inclined to rush out and buy one for the novelty value as you mentioned. Hairlessness can be linked with health issues such as entropion (where the eyelashes curl inwards damaging the eye), with good breeding practices this can be selected against but as we know people are not necessarily thinking about "good breeding practices" (particularly when you can sell a skinny dalmation for £120!). Bad breeding practices (won't go into detail as per forum rules on breeding) or accidental matings can lead to further issues so, in a similar way to roans, dalmations and satins, it is perhaps a variety to be somewhat wary about.

Oh, and I always thought they looked like mini hippos! :))
 
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