Skinny pigs

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Abi_nurse

Abi_nurse

Adult Guinea Pig
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I'm interested in (at some point) taking on a skinny pig. I realise they need a bit more attention and care, but i was just wondering where people on here got theirs? I'm not asking to discuss breeders and breeding, but I'm just generally interested in where people got them from and where i could get one. Do people see them in rescues very much?

x.
 
I'd love a skinny pig. I wouldn't ever buy one from a breeders ofc and I've never seen one in rescue, but maybe one day :)
 
Apparently skinny pigs are already coming in to rescue. This is because people sometimes surrender because of a change in circumstances eg. relationship breakup, change of job, move abroad etc. The price paid for an animal is no guarantee that the owner will be able to look after it for its whole lifespan.
 
threelittlepigs said:
Apparently skinny pigs are already coming in to rescue. This is because people sometimes surrender because of a change in circumstances eg. relationship breakup, change of job, move abroad etc. The price paid for an animal is no guarantee that the owner will be able to look after it for its whole lifespan.
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oooh :) My mum loves piggies but doesn't see the attraction with skinnys. I think they are beautiful! I've read they need extra care, eat more to stay warm etc? And that they were originally bred to be tested on :'( *sniffle* I'd love a little lady skinny to join my herd. again ...maybe one day!
 
HairlessWillow7 said:
I got my Willow from a rescue :) but that seems to be very unusual. My first skinny, Nearly Hairless Nick, was from a breeder :red

If you have any questions on skinny's, I've got a thread here on them! http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=65345 Feel free to ask anything about them! :)
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Your willow is beautiful :) I've seen an advert on preloved for an 18month old skinny that has been used to breed from. I just want to rescue her! Don't want someone to get her who's going to carry on breeding :'( Hope I'm allowed to say that :red
 
I mush prefer guinea pigs with hair I love the long haired piggy expeshially. Although all guinea pigs are fabulous. I think Skinny pigs dont live as long and have bad jeans in them coursing health issues. So I wouldnt go for one.
 
ruledbyguineapigs said:
I mush prefer guinea pigs with hair I love the long haired piggy expeshially. Although all guinea pigs are fabulous. I think Skinny pigs dont live as long and have bad jeans in them coursing health issues. So I wouldnt go for one.
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They are more prone to more health issues, but they can live as long as any other piggy :)
 
There are very very few in rescue at the moment in the UK and I hope it stays that way. I personally think they should be kept fairly hidden from non-guinea pig peoples because idiots will try to make a lot of money out of them and I HATE the thought that these beautiful creatures will be exploited and treated poorly! They are indeed amazing and wonderful animals but do need extra care, they are a guinea pig but a different kettle of fish all together!

I made a thread on caring for skinnies which is now a sticky in the breeds section:

http://theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38166

Hopefully it will answer your questions!
 
Tracyxx said:
I don't think they are prone to health issues, such as what? Also their lifespan is less than a hairy pig. :(
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No, with good genetics and proper care, they do live as long as hairy piggies. I've had two skinnies and they both needed more vet care than any other piggies, from uri's to digestive issues :(
 
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The oldest skinny I know of in the UK is three years old.

I think the health issues is down to luck. I've had one skinny who died at 9 months old who had always been sickly, and one who is over a year old and never been to the vets *touch wood*
 
I've met a skinny that was 6! The heath issues most likely depend on their genetics. I have 8 teddy's and the worst issue one of them ever had was Bella with a UTI, and it wasn't a very bad one. Willow has really bad digestive problems and is a dental piggy :(
 
I think that skinny was probably lucky IMO, as their lifespan is generally thought to be reduced. I often wonder WHY that is though? lol

I've had about 60 pigs the last ten years or so and I can't really say there's any breed related illnesses apart from the roughcoated breeds being prone to dry skin! I suppose it's all down to personal experience though.
 
Yeah, that skinny just died a few months ago, she almost got to 7! Even Willow, she could be any age. She was an adult when I adopted her. I've also known a few that were 4 and 5.

All my teddy's get the dry skin too. They also seem more prone to fungal infections, poor piggies.
 
I had my first Boris Last september after wanting a skinny for ages. I then had jethro who died aged a year and a half suddenly after christmas, someone on this forum gave me 4 of her skinnies as she couldnt keep them anymore which must have been very hard for her to do but I'm so grateful that she trusted me to have her pets, then I had jethros son henry who was fine then became very poorly for no reason and died at 2/3 months old, we now have Jack who was given to me by someone else on this forum as a gift :)
So in the space of short time I have had lots of experience with skinnies, due to having so many. There are lots of things to take into consideration like temperature, their skin etc. There are some fantastic threads on here by the members who have posted on this thread, so i would check those out!
They are wonderful. I dont like the fact that people think skinny owners are only having them as designer pets! They are a type of guinea pig at the end of the day and i choose to have them, just like some people want a himilayan guinea pig. I also have 5 hairy pigs as well and love those just as much.
I just hope skinnies stay expensive and out of the reach of people with pound signs in their eyes for as long as possible.

Be sure to show us your skinny photos when you get one hunni :) you'll find them as amusing and loving as a hairy. Their surprisingly very warm and give great hugs :)
 
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