Questions

[1i10r]

I will be buying my skinny pig soon!
I have heard that guinea pigs get depressed when they are alone... but on the other hand, I have heard that they (specifically males) are better off alone because of fighting. I am willing to give it the everlasting attention it needs to keep it happy.

I was also wondering if anyone knows if all pet stores just sell boars because of breeding...

[Paula]

First of all, welcome to GPC.

I strongly urge you to adopt rather than buy, especially a skinny, because skinny pigs quite often are already at a disadvantage with compromised immune systems. When they come from breeding mills or pet stores they are more likely than not to be sick. If you do buy, please have a good exotics vet lined up and plenty of money in a vet fund. You're likely to need it sooner rather than later if you go this route.

Pigs are herd animals and will do much better as a pair or group. As long as there's adequate space, males can get along in pairs or even herds with little conflict. Are you planning to make a C&C cage? No amount of attention from a human will compensate totally or fill the need a pig has to interact with a creature of like kind. Male or female, they really will do thrive with companionship of other pigs.

Pet stores sell both sexes. If you insist on buying from one, please be prepared to come home with a missexed, likely quite ill, possibly even pregnant, animal.

Please reconsider buying a pig. There are so many in shelters, probably many near you, that would benefit from a great home. If you buy, you're only helping to continue a cycle of selling animals as merchandise - a cruel cycle that will go on and on an on until enough people set their minds to put an end to it.

[2pigs2kids]

Welcome to the forum! Please adopt, don't buy from a petstore! This is a very pro-adoption forum and you will hear this same message over and over. Check petfinder, craigslist, the local classifieds, etc.
Also, your piggie will do much better with a friend!

[akstrohm]

What Paula said is absolutely true. If you need help finding pigs to adopt, please let us know your general location, and we will help you find some.

[1i10r]

Thank you! Yes I was thinking about adopting but I have checked many web sites and so far no luck in finding Skinny Pigs to adopt. I would love some help finding one... I am in Ontario in the Durham region... very close to Toronto.