Caring for your skinny pig or warewolf
Skinny pigs must be kept indoors at all times and at a constant room temperature of 24C as they have no fur to keep them warm.
Constant warmth is essential for a skinny pig to thrive and stay alive - they must NEVER be kept outdoors
If they are not kept warm enough they will rapidly lose weight and die.
Signs of too cold a temperature are seeing them sitting in a hunched up position, losing weight and condition.
Skinny pigs eat lots more than normal haired guinea pigs. Food is their fuel to give them the energy to keep warm and healthy.
Feed fresh fruit/veg/grass/fresh hay/Burgess excel guinea pig food and ready grass daily and of course, fresh water.
Vitamin c is especially important in a guinea pigs diet.
Unlike many animals, guinea pigs can't produce their own vitamin c. A deficiency of vitamin c, could lead to scurvy and also loss of resistance to other diseases.
I do not recommend the use of synthetic vitamins, wholesome food provided the necessary vitamins in a natural way.
Only feed good quality veg, to your skinnies as this will keep them healthy.
Foods to feed:
Grass
Dandelion leaves
Cabbage, including Spring greens, savoy, white
cauliflower and their leaves
chard
kale
spinach
broccoli
Carrots
Celery
peppers
peas in pods
green and french beans
Fresh Beetroot
corn on the cob
cucumber
aubergine
parsley
courgette
Apples
Bananas
Tomatoes
Grapes
Melon
Pear
some lettuce as a treat
FOODS NOT TO FEED
POTATOES
RHUBARB OR THE LEAVES
AVOCADO
THESE FOODS ARE TOXIC TO CAVIES
My pigs have a constant supply of dried mix, water and fresh meadow hay available at all times, and get fed their fresh greens/fruit once a day.
I feed their vegetables in the evening, which encourages them to eat their requirement of hay throughout the day - hay makes up 80% of their diet!
What goes in must come out of course, skinnies will need cleaning out more often as they produce more poop! Their cage must be kept extra clean to prevent skin infections and disease.
Skinny pigs, just like haired pigs are very sociable creatures and enjoy the company of other pigs. They do much better with the company of their own kind.
Contrary to belief, Skinny pigs only need to be bathed every now and then, if at all, to keep skin clean and in tip top condition - approximately once every six to eight months.
I use a spot of gentle baby bath in warm water. Gently wash the skinny then dry them thoroughly with a fluffy soft towel by patting them, paying particular attention to under arms and folds of skin, making sure they are completely dry. Never use a hair dryer as you may burn their skin.
Extra virgin coconut oil is excellent for cleansing a skinny pig's skin - just massage in a small amount of melted oil and gently wipe off with a cotton pad, leaving the skin smooth, clean, soft and supple. Repeat as necessary until all the loose skin scales are removed.
Again, contrary to belief, skinnies do NOT need to be oiled or creamed on a regular basis - you will upset the natural Ph balance of the skin by bathing and oiling and cause more issues.
Good skin comes from within, from a healthy well balanced and varied diet.
No amount of skin applications are a substitute for good nutrition.
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