Common Questions
These are all questions that I get asked frequently. Is there something on here not answered? Feel free to email me and ask!
Have a question that's not answered here?
Contact us and we will add it or answer it!
Q - Can 2 pigs of the same sex, live together peacefully?
A - Yes, groups of 2 or more sows & boars can live together. When keeping multiple boars together, it is best to raise them together from a fairly young age. Once a boar has been place with a sow, it can not live with other males as he will often be aggressive. Other times, it depends on each pig's individual personality.
Q - Do skinny pigs eat & drink more than a average guinea pig?
A - Yes! Hairless guinea pigs have much higher metabolisms compared to other piggies. They also eat a little bit more in order to maintain body heat.
Q - What is a 'Skinny Pig Gene Carrier"?
A - A Skinny Pig Gene Carrier, is a furry pig that carries the skinny gene. If bred to a skinny pig they have the possibility to produce hairless babies.
Q - What are my chances of producing skinnies, when breeding with gene carriers?
A - Skinny Pig Sow x Skinny Pig Boar - Litter of all skinny pigs
Carrier Sow x Hairless Boar - Litter of skinny pigs & carriers
Skinny Pig Sow x Carrier Boar - Litter of skinny pigs & Carriers
Carrier Sow x Carrier Boar - 25% of a skinny pig
Carrier (of any sex) x Non Carrier - All furry pigs
Q - What is a werewolf skinny?
A - A werewolf skinny is a skinny pig that is born with fur drifted all over it's body. Occasionally, as a werewolf skinny grows, the fur will fall out but that is never guaranteed. A werewolf skinny's fur is very fine, and is sometimes grouped so close together that it looks like a skinny pig, is a furry pig until you look closely! The only place the a werewolf skinny will not get fur on, is it's belly!
Q - When do you wean the babies?
A - Before deciding when to wean pups, I often decide by looking at the litter size & weight of each individual pup. If the litter is smaller (1-2 pups) I will ofter wean at 3 1/2 - 4 weeks. However, if the litter is of 3 or more pups I will often leave them with Mom until they are a litter older. This ensures maximum nourishment & health.
Q - Do you bottle feed pups?
A - If the litter is of 2 or more, I will bottle feed. I use Kitten Replacement Formula that I get from our local vet's office. I use a small bottle, and only squeeze a little bit into their mouths. To bottle feed, I will wrap them in a piece of fleece (with them standing upright) and let them drink. I always go through & feed them one round, then start back at the first pig and go again. Usually it takes them several "rounds" to get full bellys.
Q - Can my skinny pig run on a wheel or in a ball?
A - No! A guinea pig's back is not meant to be bent in a concave shape. This can cause permeant spinal damage to your poor piggie's back. They may say "safe for guinea pigs" but it is not true. It is much better to let your piggie play in a supervised area.
Q - What kind of fresh foods can be given to guinea pigs?
Red & Green Bell Peppers - Romaine Lettuce - Carrots - Cucumber
Broccoli - Parsley - Banana - Kiwi - Watermelon - Strawberries
Keep in mind that this is not a complete list, it is just what I feed to my cavies regulary.
Q - Will my pig get lonely if living alone?
A - Yes, Guinea pigs are herd animals that are very social. They do very good in pairs or groups of 2 or more. When you are not home your piggie always has a friend to keep him/her company!
Q. Does a hairless guinea pig have a shorter lifespan than a regular furred pig?
A. No; Just because a skinny pig does not have fur, they do not live any shorter lives than a regular guinea pig. Thanks to careful breeding, skinny pigs now lead long & healthy lives!
Contact us and we will add it or answer it!
Q - Can 2 pigs of the same sex, live together peacefully?
A - Yes, groups of 2 or more sows & boars can live together. When keeping multiple boars together, it is best to raise them together from a fairly young age. Once a boar has been place with a sow, it can not live with other males as he will often be aggressive. Other times, it depends on each pig's individual personality.
Q - Do skinny pigs eat & drink more than a average guinea pig?
A - Yes! Hairless guinea pigs have much higher metabolisms compared to other piggies. They also eat a little bit more in order to maintain body heat.
Q - What is a 'Skinny Pig Gene Carrier"?
A - A Skinny Pig Gene Carrier, is a furry pig that carries the skinny gene. If bred to a skinny pig they have the possibility to produce hairless babies.
Q - What are my chances of producing skinnies, when breeding with gene carriers?
A - Skinny Pig Sow x Skinny Pig Boar - Litter of all skinny pigs
Carrier Sow x Hairless Boar - Litter of skinny pigs & carriers
Skinny Pig Sow x Carrier Boar - Litter of skinny pigs & Carriers
Carrier Sow x Carrier Boar - 25% of a skinny pig
Carrier (of any sex) x Non Carrier - All furry pigs
Q - What is a werewolf skinny?
A - A werewolf skinny is a skinny pig that is born with fur drifted all over it's body. Occasionally, as a werewolf skinny grows, the fur will fall out but that is never guaranteed. A werewolf skinny's fur is very fine, and is sometimes grouped so close together that it looks like a skinny pig, is a furry pig until you look closely! The only place the a werewolf skinny will not get fur on, is it's belly!
Q - When do you wean the babies?
A - Before deciding when to wean pups, I often decide by looking at the litter size & weight of each individual pup. If the litter is smaller (1-2 pups) I will ofter wean at 3 1/2 - 4 weeks. However, if the litter is of 3 or more pups I will often leave them with Mom until they are a litter older. This ensures maximum nourishment & health.
Q - Do you bottle feed pups?
A - If the litter is of 2 or more, I will bottle feed. I use Kitten Replacement Formula that I get from our local vet's office. I use a small bottle, and only squeeze a little bit into their mouths. To bottle feed, I will wrap them in a piece of fleece (with them standing upright) and let them drink. I always go through & feed them one round, then start back at the first pig and go again. Usually it takes them several "rounds" to get full bellys.
Q - Can my skinny pig run on a wheel or in a ball?
A - No! A guinea pig's back is not meant to be bent in a concave shape. This can cause permeant spinal damage to your poor piggie's back. They may say "safe for guinea pigs" but it is not true. It is much better to let your piggie play in a supervised area.
Q - What kind of fresh foods can be given to guinea pigs?
Red & Green Bell Peppers - Romaine Lettuce - Carrots - Cucumber
Broccoli - Parsley - Banana - Kiwi - Watermelon - Strawberries
Keep in mind that this is not a complete list, it is just what I feed to my cavies regulary.
Q - Will my pig get lonely if living alone?
A - Yes, Guinea pigs are herd animals that are very social. They do very good in pairs or groups of 2 or more. When you are not home your piggie always has a friend to keep him/her company!
Q. Does a hairless guinea pig have a shorter lifespan than a regular furred pig?
A. No; Just because a skinny pig does not have fur, they do not live any shorter lives than a regular guinea pig. Thanks to careful breeding, skinny pigs now lead long & healthy lives!