PHOTOS BY JEFFREY LIM
Skinny Guinea Pigs may look unusual because they don’t have much hair, but they more than make up for it with their charm and affectionate personalities.
Now, we know that guinea pigs are like small balls of fur that simply radiate cuteness. But did you know that there are hairless guinea pigs? They are, in fact, called skinny guinea pigs, or skinny pigs. So how did these possibly even cuter guinea pigs come into being? Let’s find out!
HAIRY ENCOUNTER
Imagine this: your best friend messages you that they’ve adopted a guinea pig, and of course you’re excited to see a furry little dumpling of cuteness, eating contentedly some grass and herbs.
As you go into your friend’s room, you see what seems to be a newborn Puppy or Kitten – with almost no hair. Then, you ask your friend, “Where’s the Guinea Pig?”
They answer while pointing at the little mound of flesh, “You’re looking at him! Isn’the gorgeous?”
No, your brain isn’t suffering from visual issues. Your friend has just adopted a Guinea Pig – a Skinny Guinea Pig! And they named him Fred.
QUESTION #1 UH, WHY IS FRED HAIRLESS?
Skinny Guinea Pigs are mostly hairless, with some patches of hair on the head or nose and at the legs, depending on the individual. If you’re looking for a formal name for them, then it will be a bit of a surprise to find out that they are the same as furry Guinea Pigs. Their hairlessness is a hereditary trait passed on when Mommy and Daddy Guinea Pig have the genes for the hairless trait.
All that being said, if you’re thinking that Skinny Guinea Pigs are man-made, you’re not too far off. Skinny Guinea Pigs — at least the ones who are hairless — were first identified at Montreal’s Armand Frappier Institute, a medical research center.
QUESTION #2 WHAT IS FRED’S PERSONALITY LIKE?
Fred, just like most other Skinny Guinea Pigs, is very personable. For starters, Skinny Pigs love being cuddled – maybe it’s because they appreciate body warmth thanks to having not much hair.
But the fact stands: Skinny Guinea Pigs love to cuddle.
Fred will also most likely appreciate having a lot of food. Others like him tend to have faster metabolism than the regular Guinea Pig, so it’s not so much quality as quantity that will be important. You don’t have to be a chef to please them, but decent food in abundance will be the key.
Dressing Skinny Guinea Pigs up is a great idea, thanks to the fact that they are hairless – if they are in cold environments, a Skinny Pig sweater will be both cute and practical. However, if the weather is hot (as it will be in the Philippines), they will surely be relatively better adapted.
Skinny Guinea Pigs are also great for people with allergies, as their lack of hair makes people less prone to being – gasp! – allergic to them. Maybe that’s why your friend adopted Fred – they’re known to be allergic to cats.
However, if your friend wants to make sure that Fred doesn’t get lonely, maybe they should get him a companion. Skinny Pigs are more sociable than the regular ones, and part of this may be because they are less inclined to fight over things like food, territory, or toys.
Yep, it looks like Fred needs a Wilma!
QUESTION #3 DOES FRED HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS?
Many of a Skinny Guinea Pig’s needs are due to the issues of having less fur.
MORE FREQUENT CLEANUP
Aside from eating more due to a higher metabolism, Fred will need help dealing with the aftermath of a lot of eating – that is, his quarters have to be cleaned more often than is usual for a typical Guinea Pig.
LIGHT SENSITIVITY ISSUES
Skinny Pig skin is very sensitive. Their skin has been known to change color due to exposure to UV light. This means that it may be a good idea to provide their quarters with a lot of shade and to keep them away from windows and other light sources with a lot of UV radiation.
Sunburn and DNA damage are a very real thing with Skinny Pigs like Fred.
SKIN HYDRATION
Aside from sunburn, Skinny Pigs are also prone to their skin becoming dry, so skin care is needed. Their skin reacts to irritating substances in the same way human skin does, so if something makes you itch or burns your skin, it’s a good bet that it will be harmful to their skin, too.
Do look up what skin care products can help your Skinny Pig with advice from your veterinarian. There has been success in using coconut oil for their skin, but again, it’s best to check with your vet.
KEEPING WARM
Now, this should be a no-brainer, but Skinny Pigs are very sensitive to temperature changes – Fred will need a blanket or warm bedding for cold nights, while at the same time, their general environment should be around 30°C.
With little fur to help them regulate their own body heat, they are prone to both overheating and getting too cold. Fred should be chill, but not that chill!
QUESTION #4 IS FRED A GOOD FIT FOR YOUR FAMILY?
Skinny Pigs definitely need a bit more attention and responsiveness for their owners, and it’s not just about affection, but also about caring for their health and environment. If your best friend looks like they’re having issues with taking care of Fred, it may be a good idea to pitch in until your friend gets used to a routine that will make everyone happy, especially Fred.
And if ever a Wilma is found for Fred, it’s a good idea to remember that their kids will most likely be Skinny Pigs as well, unless Wilma has a full coat of fur – Skinny Pigs have no problem marrying normal Guinea Pigs.
So, that’s it. Hopefully, Fred (and maybe Wilma) will have “neighbors,” if you think that it’s time for you to also take care of your own Skinny Guinea Pigs!
