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 are very popular. Cute and funny creatures differ in breed, color, size and presence of wool. Biologists recommend paying attention to the unique leathery skinny guinea pig.
History of origin
Skinny guinea pig is a naked animal that was obtained as a result of genetic changes in the Hartley breed. An unexpected loss of hair of these animals provoked the start 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 self allowed to get a strong immune system, and animals have gained wide popularity among ordinary people.
The ancestors of guinea pigs are wild animals, which the inhabitants of America caught and tamed to get hides and meat.
In Europe, you can find other names of this animal - Guinean, Indian and Dutch pig.
Description
Bald pigs are funny pets with a maximum body length of 35 cm and a height of 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 gamut of skin color ranges from brown to pink, and on the body of some individuals one can see formless spots of black, white and gray tint.
The main features of pets are the presence of wool on the nose of the head of a standard size, hanging ears and the complete absence of a tail.. Length of hairs can reach 10 mm.
A large eyeball may have a red, ruby, brown and black color. The body of adult animals has a large number of skin folds on the legs and neck. Affectionate and friendly creature will delight their masters for more than 8 years.
The animal has an unusual feature: sleep with eyes closed for 10 minutes, half-sleep state with eyes open - 4 hours.
Experts recommend to buy a rare and unusual animal from professional breeders who have special documents confirming his pedigree. The main signs of a healthy mumps:
- the presence of a smooth and shiny skin;
- developed muscular system;
- proportional physique;
- the presence of a broad chest;
- curved nasal plate;
- presence of large eyes and flat ears;
- lack of bald patches and traces of skin pests;
- plump 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 feet;
- lack of mechanical damage to the skin and signs of inflammation;
- clean area of the anus.
In connection with the lack of wool, zoologists recommend getting bare gilts to people suffering from allergic rashes and rhinitis.
Selection and arrangement of cells
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 to give preference to cells made of metal or plastic.
The optimal size of the dwelling is 50 by 100 cm.
The main feature of this product is a flat floor without cracks and holes, which 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 water trough and various toys.
In specialized stores you can buy a cage with all the necessary accessories, as well as an empty house, which can be arranged to your liking.
In the corner of each cage there should be a low covered room with a height of no more than 8 cm and a width equal to the size of the cage. On the roof of the house you need to install a water bowl The location of this accessory at a height will prevent debris from entering the water. In the opposite side, two feeders should be fixed, one of which is intended for hay, and the other for raw food.
There is no need to occupy the space of the room capacity with sand. 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 attached enclosure, where the pet can run and play, will have a beneficial effect on its physical form.
Experts recommend to build cardboard tunnels for the animal and sheathe them inside with a soft cloth. Pigs will be happy to spend in such labyrinths more than one hour a day.
In the habitat area of the animal there should be no sharp and traumatic objects that can damage its delicate skin. Falling from even a small height can cause irreparable harm to a pet.
Guinea pigs quickly find common language with other inhabitants of the house, and love when they are held in their arms. A fed animal can be given in the hands of even 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 summer, when the air temperature reaches + 25 degrees, the guinea pig can be taken out for a walk outside.
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 a pet. The use of a closed container, in which the movement of air and gas exchange is difficult, as well as constantly maintaining a high temperature regime, is impractical.
Permanent inhalation of vapors from urine and feces adversely affects the health of the mumps and significantly reduces the period of its life. Among the positive aspects of this dwelling, it is necessary to note the retention inside of a higher temperature and the impossibility of absorbing specific smells from the animal by the aquarium.
In the case of planning for obtaining offspring, it is necessary to equip a warm nest. As a building material, you can use a terry towel or a piece of wool fabric.
Maintenance and care
Bare guinea pigs are fastidious animals that need increased attention from the owners and can create a lot of trouble when kept in the home.
The animal drinks only clean water, which must be changed several times a day. If necessary, water-soluble vitamins and therapeutic drugs can be added to the drinker.
Due to the lack of warming wool, the animal needs to maintain a stable temperature regime at +26 degrees. During the summer period, it is necessary to protect the pet from 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 impact of the environment.
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. If you experience redness, itching and various rashes, you should always consult with your doctor.
To solve the problem on your own, the use of penicillin is strictly prohibited.
A common skin disease is the formation of an abnormal bite, which can be caused by the irregular shape and inclination of the teeth. The first signs of such a defect are the slow consumption of food and the use of not all teeth. Help in solving this problem can only be in a specialized veterinary clinic.
To prevent the formation of ear plugs, it is necessary to regularly remove the earwax with small cotton swabs. Darkening of the ear discharge is a sign of infection of the animal with an ear mite.
Despite its sea name, the animal does not need water procedures. If necessary, bathe the mumps, experts recommend diluting a small amount of shampoo in a container with warm water and gently wash off all contamination. A prerequisite for bathing - protection of the head and auricles from water ingress. During the water procedures can not use cleaning, flavored and alcohol products.
To prevent an unpleasant smell of urine and feces from spreading in the apartment, it is necessary to clean the used sawdust daily and fill the empty spaces with new wood composition. Complete disinfection of the house and all its parts should be carried out at least 1 time in 7 days.
What can you feed?
A nutritious and balanced diet is a prerequisite for 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 greens. 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 cage of branches of fruit trees, about which the pig treats its teeth.
The animal loves to eat sprouted wheat and oats. The most favorite fruits and vegetables are: pumpkin, carrot, apple, green lettuce, parsley, zucchini and sweet pepper.
Sometimes the animal can be pampered with dry biscuits, savory bread crumbs, nuts and dried fruit.
To prevent limb curvature, it is necessary to use special supplements in the diet that contain phosphorus and calcium. Natural sources of these elements can be chalk, oat kernels, maize and barley.
In the diet of pregnant females nuts and sunflower seeds should prevail.
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 fertile. Many owners acquire two individuals of pigs at once and lodge them in one cage. Experts do not recommend this to be done in connection with the possible fights of same-sex animals and the frequent appearance of offspring between different-sex pets.
Sexual maturity of female individuals occurs at the age of about 3 months, however, experienced breeders advise to plan pregnancy at the age of 5 months.
The period of gestation is about 2 months. In one litter more than 4 babies are born. An animal can give birth to babies in a maximum of 30 minutes. Females independently care for the young and do not need assistance.
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 examine its character, conditions of detention, and ration so that the animal does not become an unnecessary burden in the apartment and frustration. When contacting with children, it is necessary to protect the pet as much as possible from possible injuries and falls, which will have a negative impact on his health.
Read more about skinny breed in the video below.
