Skinny Guinea Pig

The skinny guinea pig or simply skinny pig is a breed of hairless guinea pigs, which unlike their Baldwin cousins, does possess hair on its legs, feet, and muzzle. Some individuals are even covered with fuzzy hair on the back. It typically has smooth skin with some wrinkles around the neck and legs, while its body does not have any appearance of ribs or spine. It was first produced by crossing haired guinea pigs with a hairless lab variety, which occurred as a result of a spontaneous genetic mutation at the Armand-Frappier Institute in Montreal in 1978. The breed has not yet received recognition from the American Cavy Breeders Association (ACBA).

Basic Information

Kept As:	Indoor/outdoor cavy, show animal
Suited For:	Beginners, singles, families with children, owners with allergies
Origin:	Canada
Temperament:	Affectionate, calm, well-behaved, playful
Hypoallergenic:	No
Lifespan:	5-7 years
Association/Clubs:	UK Skinny Pig Cavy Club, SBW Cavy Club UK
Breed Standard:	None

How Big do They Get

Size: 6-10 inches long

Weight: 1.5-2.5 lbs

Height: 7-11 inches

Width: About 8-12 inches

What do They Look Like

Fur Length: Hairless

Fur Texture: Smooth skin with wrinkles around the neck and legs, no appearance of ribs or spine

Color: Dutch, Himalayan, tortoiseshell, and several other colors and patterns

Care Level

Provide your skinny pigs with a clean, hygienic environment by regularly removing their poops and damp bedding. You can use absorbent paper-based beddings that do not get damp quickly.

Cage Size

Keep your skinny guinea pair in an enclosure of dimensions 30 X 50 X 20 inches at least while the minimum floor space required is 1512 square inches.

Diet

Unlimited supply of fresh timothy hay, about 1/8 cups of pellets (rich in Vitamin C and free from seeds), a cup of fresh vegetables and fruits

Grooming

Does not need grooming; give it a bath with a mild shampoo when its skin becomes visibly dirty

Activity

It needs at least an hour of exercise per day; allow it to spend time outside its enclosure and provide treat-themed toys, tunnels, cardboard boxes, and other toys so that it can play with them

Cost

These cavies are becoming increasingly popular and their prices can be as high as $150. Being a hairless breed, the annual cost of keeping it is a bit higher than other breeds

Shedding

Since it only has fur on its legs and muzzle, it sheds very little hair throughout the year

Did You Know

• Some skinny pigs are called ‘werewolves’ because they have more hair than normal, which extend over their face onto the neck and then the shoulders.
• Their skin is prone to fungal infections, injuries, and sunburn.