Guinea pig: owner feedback, skinnie breed features, maintenance and care

Do you like guinea pigs? Charming furs are chewing hay and gnawing carrots. This is a completely peace-loving creature that you can take in your hands, play, without fear of causing harm, as is the case with hamsters. Very often it is after small rodents or rats have finished their century that a person decides to have someone else. If this someone is a guinea pig, the owner's testimonials will not hurt you.

However, today we want to invite our reader to talk about one of the most interesting representatives of this species. If you want to have a completely unusual house, not a creature of any kind, then the ideal variant is a naked guinea pig. Reviews of the owners say that we have relatively few such animals, but the interest is growing every day.

general description

It is still difficult to find them in free sale, but there would be a desire. If you really want to, then you will certainly find the opportunity for a naked, guinea pig to settle at home. The owners' feedback suggests that the real name of these creatures is the skinnie. Funny, folded, like a tiny piglet, they will surely please your children. Due to the fact that the wool is missing, the animals seem much smaller than their shaggy brethren.

History of deducing

How did such a creation come about? After all, we are used to seeing fluffy lumps in pet stores, and here is a completely naked guinea pig. Feedback from owners who already had experience with them, say that this is not such a fragile and delicate creature as it might seem at first glance. They appeared due to a natural mutation, but fell in love with people in this funny form. They are strong and very hardy, that is quite viable individuals.

They appeared long ago, back in 1987. The first bald offspring interested the specialists, but so far the phenomenon was only considered. But when in 1984, bald albinos were born, the breeders decided to perfect this breed.

The path was long and rather complicated. The animals had a weak immune system, and their life was very short. As a result of prolonged work, almost naked animals were obtained, with the remains of wool on the muzzle. The first female was named Skinny, and then she began to be called a guinea pig. Reviews of the owners say that this animal is just perfect for allergy sufferers. By the way, about the name, this is just one of the versions. But, most likely, the answer lies in another. The literal translation of skinny is "skin and bones", that is, it emphasizes the absence of wool.

Appearance

Only when you see a small miracle, you will understand how different it is from all the animals that lived before you. The owners' comments about the guinea pig of the Skinny breed claim that this is the most charming creature in the world. To touch his body is very nice, it's like velvet. At the same time, the guinea pigs are sociable enough and with great pleasure go to contact.

What kind of characteristics do not empower their loving owners. Someone claims that they are like miniature behemothics. Others argue that they have a muzzle, like a tapir. Still others do not agree, seeing in the slowly munching creation of the donkey. In short, everyone has his own view. But everyone agrees that this is the most charming decorative rodent.

Natural color

What can your guinea pigs be? Variations here are not many. Usually the color is brownish-gray, the stomach is slightly lighter. And the woolen cover is completely absent on the whole body, except for the head, shoulders and legs of the animal. There can even curl curls. The body length is quite large - 35 cm. Weight will depend on feeding. Usually, the animals do not complain of lack of appetite. Well-nourished and muscular - just such are the guinea pigs skinnies. The owners' reviews fully confirm that it is necessary to buy special fodder and fresh vegetables.

Breed Standards

The first thing we see is a massive relief body. The head is of medium size and oval in shape. And here the gender sign is clearly traced. In males, the head is massive, large, and the females are more accurate. Very interesting is the nose of the animal. It is large, with rounded outlines and soft curves.

In general, a very pleasant sight is a guinea pig skinnie. Real feedback from the owners emphasize that they are very adorned with large and expressive eyes, as well as neat ears. The neck of the animal is difficult to distinguish from the general outline. Back very straight, straight, does not bend anywhere. The extremities in the guinea pigs are short. Clubfoot and curvature are not characteristic of them. Due to the fact that they have fingers, animals can easily hold the feed. Some people do not want to acquire these animals, because it seems that they are unpleasant to the touch. But this is just a prejudice. They are very velvety, they want to touch more often.

Food

Each animal requires special treatment for itself. Let's look at how to take care of the bare mumps. First of all, they will require good feeding. These enchanters can crunch something all day. Practice shows that the diet of skin skin was three times higher than the norm of the average, shaggy pig. This is directly related to the support of trunk temperature. In this regard, the guinea pig of the Skinny breed is truly unique. Customer testimonials fully confirm that they often have to go to the store for a new portion of feed.

Be sure to consult a veterinarian or a pet store employee about the fact that there should be a guinea pig skinnie. List the necessary food in your special notebook, this will come in handy for you more than once.

• The diet should include 60% of dry grass, 20% of juicy greens and 20% of grains.
• Hay is an indispensable component of the diet, and grain feeds are a source of carbohydrates and fats, protein and amino acids. Corn and sunflower, oats and barley, as well as wheat, are especially useful for guinea pigs.
• As a treat you can give your pet dry biscuits, crackers and nuts, dried fruits.
• From juicy fodder mixes give dandelion and nettles, plantain and clover.
• Vitamin supplements - fresh melon and pumpkin, tomatoes and peppers, carrots and apples, beets.

Body temperature

The animal has no coat at all. Therefore, it is very important that optimal conditions are created in which the amazing guinea pigs of the skinnie will feel comfortable. The content is simple, for this you need a special house. In addition, constant eating habits allow maintaining body temperature within 38-40 degrees.

However, animals are very sensitive, so you need to ensure that they are not overheated and not supercooled. Those who have already bought themselves skinny, know that it is much better to keep them in the terrarium, and not in open cells.

Optimum weight and walks

Their food ration at times exceeds that suitable for ordinary guinea pigs. However, you can not overeat them. These charming creatures are very prone to obesity. If the filling of the cup does not control, then you risk greatly shorten the life span of your pet. It is best to put his food only in the afternoon and clean the cup after a meal. To control the weight of the animal, it is worthwhile in the evening to let him take a walk around the room.

Care of animals

They are very fond of that they practically do not smell and always look well-groomed. Due to the fact that there is no coat, they feel like soft rubber. These animals have a friendly and calm disposition, they become excellent friends for children. It is not difficult to care for them, even a junior schoolboy can easily cope with this.

Invisible Dangers

The strong organism of your pet is actually very fragile. There are many nuances that a loving host should take into account. Even climbing to a small height, these fat pigs can fall and seriously hurt themselves. Moreover, even a small stroke can lead to the fact that the intestine can not stand and burst.

Fasting animals is also strictly prohibited. In practice, it has been proven that only two days without food can lead to the most serious health consequences. Therefore, if you are planning a long trip, be sure to arrange with friends that they feed your pets.

Breeding

This usually does not cause any problems. To get small gilts, you only need to have a heterosexual couple, provide her with normal living and eating conditions. Approximately in 6-8 months the female is completely ready to reproduce the offspring. In this case, males are sexually mature at the age of three months. However, they are not allowed to mate so early. The lower limits are 6 months for the female and 7 for the males. Pregnancy lasts up to 70 days, so you will have to wait long for the birth of babies. The female should eat well, so that the offspring will be healthy.