Pets are not only favorite pets, but also practically family members. In apartments where there are children, you can often find cats, dogs, parrots, fish and hamsters. In recent years, guinea pigs have been particularly popular. Cute and funny creatures are distinguished by breed, color, size and the presence of wool. Biologists recommend paying attention to the unique leathery skinny guinea pig.
Origin history
Skinny guinea pig is a naked animal that was obtained as a result of genetic changes in the Hartley breed. The unexpected loss of hair of these animals provoked the beginning of four years of research on the breeding of a new breed of leathery guinea pigs.
The resulting animals had a high susceptibility to disease and for a long time were grown only in laboratory conditions for testing various cosmetics. And only crossing skinny with selfies allowed to obtain a strong immune system, and animals gained wide popularity among ordinary residents.
The ancestors of guinea pigs are wild animals, which the inhabitants of America caught and tamed to obtain skins and meat.
In Europe, you can find other names for this animal - Guinean, Indian and Dutch pig.
Description
Hairless pigs are funny pets whose maximum body length is 35 cm and height is about 65 cm. The standard weight of an adult is 1500 grams, but in comfortable conditions you can often find animals weighing about 2 kg.
The color scheme of the skin color ranges from brown to pink, and on the body of some individuals you can see shapeless spots of black, white and gray.
The main features of pets are the presence of hair on the nose of a standard-sized head, hanging ears and the complete absence of a tail. The length of the hairs can reach 10 mm.
A large eyeball can have red, ruby, brown, and black color. The body of adult animals has a large number of skin folds on the legs and neck. An affectionate and friendly creature will delight its owners for more than 8 years.
The animal has an unusual feature: sleep with eyes closed for 10 minutes, half-asleep with eyes open - 4 hours.
Specialists recommend purchasing rare and unusual animals from professional breeders who have special documents confirming their pedigree. The main signs of a healthy mumps:
- the presence of a smooth and shiny skin;
- developed muscle system;
- proportional physique;
- the presence of a wide chest;
- curved nose plate;
- the presence of large eyes and flat ears;
- lack of bald patches and traces of skin pests;
- well-built physique;
- the presence of hair only near the nostrils;
- high level of mobility and activity;
- lack of purulent discharge from the eyeball and nostrils;
- dry paws;
- lack of mechanical damage to the skin and traces of inflammation;
- clean area of the anus.
Due to the lack of hair, zoologists recommend giving pigs to people with allergic rashes and rhinitis.
Cell selection and arrangement
Like any animal, the guinea pig needs its own housing, in which it can take a break from the excessive attention of its owners.
Experts recommend giving preference to cells made of metal or plastic.
The optimal size of the dwelling is 50 per 100 cm.
The main feature of this product is a flat floor without cracks and pits that can cause damage to the pet's limbs. As litter material, dry sawdust should be used, the thickness of which should not be less than 10 mm.
The cage should be equipped with a feeding trough, a drinking bowl and various toys.
In specialized stores you can buy a cage with all the necessary accessories, as well as an empty house that you can arrange to your liking.
In the corner of each cell there should be a low indoor room with a height of not more than 8 cm and a width equal to the size of the cell. On the roof of the house you need to install a drinking bowl. Placing this accessory at a height will prevent debris from entering the water. On the opposite side, you need to fix two feeders, one of which is intended for hay, and the other for raw feeding.
There is no need to occupy the space of a room with a sand container. This device for cleaning the skin is enough to put in a cage several times a week for a short period of time.
The presence of a special enclosed enclosure, where the pet can run and play, will have a beneficial effect on its physical shape.
Experts recommend building cardboard tunnels for the animal and lining them inside with a soft cloth. Pigs will be happy to spend more than one hour a day in such labyrinths.
In the habitat of the animal there should not be sharp and traumatic objects that could damage its delicate skin. Falling even from a small height can cause irreparable harm to the pet.
Guinea pigs quickly find a common language with other inhabitants of the house, and love to be held in their arms. A fed animal can be given even to small children.
To prevent excess weight gain, the animal must sometimes be released from the cage.In the room where the animal will run, it is necessary to protect a certain space, so that the animal could not get into an unpleasant and dangerous situation. In the summer, when the air temperature reaches + 25 degrees, the guinea pig can be taken out for a walk on the street.
Some owners equip the house for the animal in a transparent aquarium, the walls of which do not interfere with watching the life and entertainment of the pet. The use of a closed tank in which the movement of air and gas exchange is difficult, as well as constantly maintaining a high temperature regime, is impractical.
The constant inhalation of vapors from urine and feces negatively affects the health of the mumps and significantly reduces its life span. Among the positive aspects of this dwelling, it is worth noting the retention of a higher temperature inside and the inability to absorb specific odors from the animal by the aquarium.
In the case of planning for offspring, it is imperative to equip a warm nest. As a building material, you can use a terry towel or a piece of woolen fabric.
Maintenance and care
Naked guinea pigs are fastidious animals that need increased attention from the owners and can create a lot of trouble while being kept at home.
The animal drinks only clean water, which must be changed several times a day. If necessary, water-soluble vitamins and medicines can be added to the drinker.
Due to the lack of a warming coat, the animal needs to maintain a stable temperature regime at +26 degrees. In the summer, you need to protect your pet from contact with the skin in direct sunlight. In winter, the animal can get sick even with a minimum decrease in temperature, as well as from small streams of cold air. Special clothing will help reduce the negative environmental impact.
When the first signs of dryness and peeling of the skin appear, it is necessary to lubricate the pet's body with baby cream and regularly trim the nail plates. In case of redness, itching and various rashes, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
For an independent solution to the problem, the use of penicillin is strictly prohibited.
A common skinny disease is the formation of a malocclusion, which can be caused by irregular shape and inclination of the teeth. The first signs of such a defect are slow eating and not all teeth. Help in solving this problem can only in a specialized veterinary clinic.
To prevent the formation of ear plugs, it is necessary to regularly remove earwax with small cotton buds. Darkening of the ear discharge is a sign of infection of the animal with an ear tick.
Despite its marine name, the animal does not need water procedures. If it is necessary to bathe a mumps, experts recommend diluting a small amount of shampoo in a container with warm water and carefully rinse off all dirt. A prerequisite when bathing is to protect the area of the head and ears from water. During water procedures, do not use cleaning, perfumed or alcohol products.
To prevent the spread in the apartment of an unpleasant odor of urine and feces, it is necessary to clean the used sawdust daily and fill in the empty spaces with a new wood composition. Complete disinfection of the house and all its parts must be carried out at least 1 time in 7 days.
What can I feed?
A nutritious and balanced diet is the key to the health of the pet, as well as the ability to maintain a stable body temperature.
The diet of pigs should consist of hay, root crops, grain mixtures and herbs. High-quality dry grass should be constantly added to the feeder, and juicy lure should be removed at the end of the day.Particular attention should be paid to the constant presence in the cell of fruit tree branches, about which the pig grinds its teeth.
The animal loves to feast on sprouted wheat and oats. The most favorite vegetables and fruits are: pumpkin, carrot, apple, green lettuce, parsley, zucchini and bell peppers.
Sometimes the animal can be pampered with dry biscuits, unsweetened crackers, nuts and dried fruits.
To prevent limb curvature, it is imperative to use special additives in the diet that contain phosphorus and calcium. Natural sources of these elements can serve as chalk, grains of oats, corn and barley.
Nuts and sunflower seeds should predominate in the diet of pregnant females.
It is strictly forbidden to use boiled and fried meat products, stewed vegetables, sweet pastries, milk, cottage cheese, sweets, potatoes, hot peppers, garlic, radishes and mushrooms in the diet.
Breeding
Skinny guinea pigs are not only very active pets, but also prolific. Many owners acquire two pigs at once and put them in one cage. Experts do not recommend this in connection with possible fights of same-sex animals and the frequent appearance of offspring between heterosexual pets.
The sexual maturity of females occurs at the age of about 3 months, however, experienced breeders advise planning a pregnancy for age at the age of 5 months.
The gestation period is about 2 months. In one litter, more than 4 newborns are born. An animal can give birth to cubs in a maximum of 30 minutes. Females independently look after young growth and do not need outside help.
Animals can please their owners with offspring at any time of the year.
Skinny guinea pigs are friendly and playful animals that need affection, care and attention. Before acquiring a pet, it is necessary to carefully study its nature, conditions of detention and diet, so that the animal does not become an unnecessary burden in the apartment and disappointment. In contact with children, it is necessary to protect the pet as much as possible from possible injuries and falls that will have a negative impact on his health.
For more information about the skinny breed, see the video below.
