The sparseness of fur on Hairless Guinea Pigs’ bodies leaves them vulnerable to many dangers. Hence, they require special care more than Guinea Pigs with fur.
Skinny Pig care involving cage set-up and grooming might seem overwhelming. However, with proper research and knowledge, going through these tasks will be a breeze.
1. Provide Hairless Guinea Pigs with a large cage.
Naked Guinea Pigs are small pets that require an expansive enclosure to live and explore. Housing them in a small cage will cause many issues, such as fighting, depression, and developing destructive habits.
The recommended minimum cage size for 1–2 Hairless Guinea Pigs is around 7.5 square feet. Having two Hairless Guinea Pigs means getting a bigger cage, ideally measuring about 10.5–13 square feet of space or more.
If you have the means, consider purchasing the largest cage you can afford for your pet rather than settling for a smaller one. It will save you from so much trouble in the future.
2. Choose bedding gentle on the Hairless Guinea Pig’s sensitive skin.
The lack of fur of Bald Guinea Pigs easily exposes their skin to irritants. So be cautious of the bedding type you place on your pet’s cage.
Do not use pine or cedar shavings, as they have pointy edges that can injure Hairless Guinea Pigs. They also produce fumes when wet, which may cause respiratory issues.
Straw is not advisable either since it does not properly absorb moisture from urine or poop. Clumping litter clay should also be avoided as it can cause stomach obstruction if your pet ingests it.
For a Bald Guinea Pig’s bedding, aim to use soft materials such as:
- Fleece liners
- Cloth
- Plain untreated paper
- Hay
Place at least 1–2 inches of bedding on your pet’s cage for better absorption of soiling. Change your Bald Guinea Pig’s bedding every 3–4 days to prevent it from becoming a breeding ground for disease-causing microorganisms.
You might need to do it more frequently if the cage is small or you own a group of Hairless Guinea Pigs.
3. Get a well-ventilated cage for Hairless Guinea Pigs.
Your Bald Cavy needs free-flowing fresh air in its cage to prevent respiratory problems.
Fish tanks, vivariums, plastic tubs, and glass cages do not provide proper ventilation, so steer clear of them. Using wood cages is also discouraged, as Naked Guinea Pigs can chew through them.
Safer options for your pet are stainless steel cages or enclosures with mesh grids. C&C cages, a popular choice amongst Hairless Guinea Pig owners, are a good choice as well.
Steel and mesh-type cages often come with grid flooring. It can cause problems on your Bald Cavy’s feet, such as bumblefoot. To prevent this danger, place a solid coroplast on the bottom of the base.
4. Place ramps in Hairless Guinea Pig cages.
Some enclosures for Naked Cavies are multi-storey lofts with ledges. Whilst they add more exploration areas for your pet, the high ground can be dangerous.
Guinea Pigs, especially the Hairless variety, do not have good eyesight. Their depth perception is poor, making them at risk of falling down heights.
Installing ramps with side rails in Skinny Pig cages provides safety. Here are some things to consider before getting them for your pet’s cage:
Think about the angle.
Hairless Guinea Pigs are not adept climbers, so providing them with steep ramps is a recipe for disaster.
Keep your pet from accidentally falling from the ramp by placing it at no more than a 30-degree angle. For old Skinny Cavies, the ramp should have a lower incline, preferably less than 10 degrees.
Height and width matter too.
The maximum height of a Hairless Guinea Pig ramp is 12 inches. If it is too tall, your pet might refuse to use it. Or worst case scenario, your Bald Cavy might fall from great heights and seriously injure itself.
When it comes to the ramp’s width, make it as wide as possible for easier mobility. The recommended minimum measurement is at least 6 inches.
Add some form of traction.
Hairless Guinea Pigs need to have a good grip on the ramp so they do not slip. With that in mind, use a clean, soft cloth or coroplast to cover the ramp.
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5. Place the cage of Hairless Guinea Pigs away from sunlight.
Being hairless means Bald Guinea Pigs are more sensitive to temperature changes and sunlight compared to regular Guinea Pigs. Lengthy exposure to the sun’s UV rays may easily cause pigmentations, sunburn, and DNA damage.
Thus, putting your Hairless Cavy’s enclosure in a cool, shady room is imperative. Temperatures should be closely monitored too.
If it becomes excessively hot or cold, Bald Guinea Pigs will struggle to regulate their body temperatures. To avert the risk of overheating or hypothermia, temperatures must not go over or below 72–75 degrees Fahrenheit (21–24 degrees Celsius).
For easier temperature monitoring, consider placing thermometers inside the cage. Smart thermometers are also available, allowing you to track temperature changes through your phone.
6. Less bathtime for Hairless Guinea Pigs, the better.
Do Hairless Guinea Pigs smell? In general, Hairless Guinea Pigs are not smelly pets. Their lack of hair keeps their body from accumulating too much dirt.
However, certain factors can cause a Naked Cavy to become stinky such as living in an unsanitary enclosure.
The grease glands of Bald Guinea Pigs, which are located near their tails, could also be a reason. Over time, they collect dirt, causing them to emit a pungent odor.
Now you might wonder: “Do Hairless Guinea Pigs need baths?” Routine bath is not required for Bald Guinea Pig care.
Washing Hairless Cavies frequently will remove their natural oils, leaving their skin dry and flaky. It may consequently lead to skin infections.
Bathing should only be done when your Bald Guinea Pig has become filthy. No need to wash its whole body. Just use a wet cloth to wipe off areas with dirt.
Never use toiletries such as shampoo or cleanser specifically made for humans on your Hairless Cavy.
These products contain harsh chemicals that can dry out and irritate their skin. These ingredients are potentially poisonous too if accidentally ingested.
Gently towel your pet to dry. Make sure there are no remaining wet areas on its body. Moisture will trigger bacteria to proliferate. Hair dryers should be kept away as it generates heat, which can cause skin burns.
7. Use coconut oil to moisturise Hairless Guinea Pigs.
Some Bald Guinea Pigs have naturally dry skin. Hydrate their pores by applying coconut oil on them. Moreover, it has antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that protect your pet from skin disease-causing microbes.
Avoid buying coconut oil that contains added ingredients, as it can irritate the sensitive skin of Bald Cavies. Only use organic, unrefined, and expeller-pressed products.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply coconut oil on Hairless Guinea Pigs:
- Wet a clean cloth with cool water. Use it to wipe off any grime and dirt on your pet’s body.
- Do a patch test since some Bald Guinea Pigs are allergic to coconut oil. Apply a smidge on your pet’s skin and wait for an hour or two. If your Cavy does not exhibit allergy symptoms, continue to the next step.
- If you are using solid coconut oil, pop it in the microwave for at least 1–2 minutes to melt. Let the coconut oil cool down completely before using.
- Place a small drop of coconut oil on a sterile washcloth. Massage it gently on your Bald Guinea Pig’s skin to rejuvenate its dryness and remove dead skin cells.
- Coconut oil is an excellent skin moisturiser for Hairless Guinea Pigs. However, excessive use can clog their pores and hinder proper natural oil production. For this reason, only apply coconut oil on your Naked Cavy when its skin becomes too dry.
Frequently-Asked Questions About Hairless Guinea Pigs
What are the different types of Hairless Guinea Pigs?
There are 2 types of Hairless Guinea pig breeds namely, the Skinny Pig and the Baldwin Guinea Pig. You can distinguish the 2 by looking for the presence of fur on their bodies.
Baldwin Cavies look like typical Guinea Pigs during their early years. This breed of Hairless Guinea Pigs is covered in fur when born. However, their hair starts to fall out a few days after birth.
By the time they reach around 2 months old, Baldwin Cavies become Guinea Pigs with no hair.
On the other hand, the Skinny species is a type of Hairless Guinea Pig with short, sparse fur. As they slowly approach adulthood, Skinny Cavies grow hair on their muzzles, legs, and feet.
2. What were the origins of Hairless Guinea Pigs?
Bald Guinea Pigs had unfortunate beginnings, unlike Haired Guinea Pigs. Whilst their furred cousins were hailed as the first domesticated rodent species, Naked Cavies started as lab rats.
The Hairless Guinea Pig originated in a Canadian lab in the late 1970s when a spontaneous genetic mutation occurred. Later on, they became dermatological test subjects after scientists discovered that their skin closely resembles human skin.
Skinny Pig’s living conditions in the lab were poor. Inbreeding was notorious, which caused many hereditary diseases to develop.
Hairless Guinea Pigs eventually caught the eyes of animal lovers. After 40 years of careful breeding, modern Bald Cavies have more stable genetics and better health.
3. Are Hairless Guinea Pigs hypoallergenic?
Hairless Guinea Pigs are not hypoallergenic despite their lack of hair. That is because they produce dander, urine, and saliva, which can trigger allergic reactions. However, the sparseness of fur on their bodies lowers the risk of causing allergies.
4. How long do Hairless Guinea Pigs live?
Hairless Guinea Pigs have an average lifespan of around 4.5 years. They tend to live shorter than regular Guinea Pigs because of their weak immune systems.
Make sure to provide your Bald Cavy with appropriate housing and meet its grooming requirements. By ensuring that your pet has good living conditions, you are increasing its chances of living longer.