You don't want him to get chilled. Once a day, remove your guinea pig from the cage and gently brush its fur. Make sure he is actually eating as much as he normally would. This is both painful for the guinea pig and at its worst can kill your guinea pig. Beaphar Guinea Pig and Rabbit Shampoo is gentle but effective, and specifically for small animals. If your guinea pig’s fur loss is associated with some medical conditions, then timely and proper treatment can be beneficial. All pets need grooming, but if your rabbits or guinea pigs get a messy bottom, you want to make sure you have the right tools. VERY GENTLY. The origin of the colloquial name guinea pig is a subject of much debate. Rear-end – Your guinea pig’s bottom should be clean and dry – wetness between their legs could be a urine infection. First, clean the entire cage and gently clean the pig's bottom. They're cute balls of fluffy fur that are amusing to watch and fun to play with and care for. Pet in the direction the fur grows. Most guinea pigs are born with four toes on their front feet and 3 toes on their hind feet. Guinea pigs should always be eating and defecating. Hairless guinea pigs are a mix of the Skinny and Baldwin breeds. Guinea Pig Feet and Foot Problems. Guinea pigs only require bathing when necessary. Your guinea pig will need regular grooming to prevent matted fur, especially if you have a long-haired variety. I tried getting when it was smaller, but soaking his bottom in water and wiping with bathing wet wipes wouldn't work. This liquid will assist in cleaning your guinea pigs face and body. Ileus is caused when gas builds up in the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines). Impaction is the build up of faecal material in the anal sack of the guinea pig. The next step of the grooming routine is bathing (my favorite)! Prior to bathing you need to remove dirt from the coat. Ok so the last few days I have noticed my male guinea pig has a sticky substance on his fur near his back end, but not like it's coming out of his bottom. If you see your guinea pig hasn't touched its food and you are seeing fewer and smaller stools being passed, your guinea pig may have ileus. Melissa Ling ©. In a long haired guinea pig this will probably first present by the coat looking rather less lovely than usual. This will help your vet determine if the overgrowth in your guinea pig’s teeth is restricted to its teeth. In most cases it is best just to keep the fur cut short (especially around the rump area), and this only takes a few minutes to do every 3-4 weeks. Make sure to have a guinea pig certified shampoo on hand. Especially if you don't have much experience with it So what would you do? GROOMING Some guinea pigs require regular grooming especially those of the long haired variety. A guinea pig will groom itself numerous times a day often after eating vegetables or after burrowing through grass hay. If you must use a small amount of guinea pig safe shampoo. You can buy a brush designed for guinea pigs a pet store. Our pet guru, veterinary surgeon Pete Wedderburn, answers your queries. These guinea pigs are mostly hairless but sometimes have a little bit of fur around their face. When you go to dry your guinea pig use a patting and stroking technique so that it doesn't tangle the fur even more. You’ll also need to keep your guinea pig’s bottom clean, particularly in warmer months, as this could attract blowflies. Especially if you don't have much experience with it So what would you do? Guinea Pig Bathing Guide. If you have a sick guinea pig, you should be able to tell through your numerous interactions throughout the day. Rinse your guinea pig with warm water. You should have no problem with handling your hairless guinea pig, as long as you are gentle. There are 8 breeds of long haired guinea pigs with the most common in Australia being the Peruvian, Sheba and Sheltie. Parasites aren't the only cause of dry, itchy skin and hair loss in guinea pigs. If you have a long-haired guinea pig, they may have different grooming needs. If treating for parasites doesn't resolve your guinea pig's discomfort, there may be other issues at play. Tips to Keep Your Guinea Pig Healthy. Guinea pigs can get ill of course but it very rarely happens without warning signs and we mean A LOT of warning signs. If there is a change in its normal behavior like all of a sudden it has lost its appetite, is low on energy and is making chattering or whining noises, know there is some problem. any ideas what this is? Sometimes you may see little tiny nits walking on your guinea pigs fur, these are hay mites, which are harmless and a simple shampoo will get rid of them for you. Short-haired guinea pigs rarely need baths because they groom their own fur. Guinea pigs have no fur on the bottom of their feet, so check the bottom of their feet regularly for any sign of soreness. Keeping an eye on your guinea pig essential for preventing health issues, but there are actions you should take as well. If your guinea pig is not eating, get to a vet immediately to … A guinea pig may suffer from an illness or problem long before it is visible. When choosing a guinea pig to adopt, there are a few things you'll want to look for to help you determine if the animal is healthy. Any weight loss, or loss of appetite, can be signs that your guinea pig is at best unhappy, and at worst unhealthy, so get him checked out by your local vet. When it comes to guinea pig’s bathing routine it ends up being a very controversial topic among many pet owners. After as few as 16 to 20 hours of anorexia, liver cells begin to break down and from then on, your pig will only get worse. My bunny has a matted clump of feces under his bottom. Never chase a guinea pig so you can pet them. You can give your guinea pig a treat before and after grooming so it associates brushing with a positive experience. A happy guinea pig will be active and playful – listlessness, limping, or matted fur could be signs that you should get him to the vet. They are able to self-groom to remove most bacteria or dirt that would cause them to smell, This is my premium ebook full of beautiful photos and lots of good information. Make sure to rinse thoroughly and then get the pig dry as quickly as possible. Put some tissue on the bottom so a guinea pig … should i rinse it off? Guinea pig’s nails should be trimmed every 8 to 12 weeks. Polydactyly; Torn Nails; Spurs; Pododermatitis-new page; Pododermatitis Links-new page; Nail Clipping-new page; Trim nails regularly and examine your guinea pig's feet so you can catch problems like pododermatitis (bumblefoot) before they become serious.. Press the washcloth to the matted fur and gently rub. Pet advice: excessive appetites, guinea pig starter kits and matted fur. Not eating is extremely serious, as your pet's system will shut down with dire consequences. If there are more serious health issues related to your guinea pig's overgrown teeth, your vet may want to perform surgery. Step 3 – Use a wet cloth to wipe guinea pig’s fur. Bathe your guinea pig. This is common in long-haired guinea pigs if they are not cared for properly. ANOREXIA. Always alert a guinea pig that you are going to start petting; don’t sneak up on them or pet a sleeping guinea pig. The first part of the name may have been derived from the price of the animal in 16th- and 17th-century England—that is, possibly one guinea—or it may have arisen from the animals’ being carried to European markets after first being transferred to ships in ports in Guinea. Make sure you are aware of where the legs and ears are, as well as the sensitive area around the rump! The pig may even draw blood it will be scratching so intensely. Any other shampoos can irritate and dry out the skin, making the matted fur worse. It is mostly diagnosed among piggies housed in a wired bottom cage, hard or wet bedding area, etc. • A Hidey House (Pigloo) – Every guinea pig needs a hidey house • Water Bottle & Ceramic Food Bowl • 3-4 Old Towels + Dust Pan & Broom • Electric shaver – Long haired guinea pigs may need to groomed • Grooming Brush • Baby Shampoo / Rabbit & Guinea Pig Shampoo – … When you look at your guinea pig you may notice that there is a big ‘plug like’ area that is full of poop. To find more info on how to trim guinea pig’s nails click here. Aleks. My guinea pigs fur is EXTREMELY matted.Help? Ideally, faeces should be cleaned and combed out. View Profile View Forum Posts There may be matted hair and damp looking patches where the skin has been broken by the constant scratching. Nov 19, 2020 - Getting rid of the matted guinea pig hair can be tricky. Let's learn the steps! Matted fur on a guinea pig must be taken care of because the skin underneath can become irritated and infected. Use warm water and paper towel. Cavies will naturally groom themselves. ... Also read: How to get rid of matted hair in guinea pigs? 05-29-13, 06:06 pm #2. Heavily matted fur may need to be carefully cut away with scissors. You can help prevent respiratory infections in guinea pigs by keeping the cage clean, keeping the cage in a draft-free room, and quarantining any new guinea pigs. To prevent water from running into the guinea pig's face, cup your hand behind their face. Unlike short haired guinea pigs they require extra care and attention to ensure their coat is kept healthy, shiny and to prevent matting and Urinary Tract Infections. Try not to pour water on its face or in its ears. Use a small cup or your hands to scoop warm water and pour it over the guinea pig's body until its fur is wet. Guinea pigs make great pets. By Pete Wedderburn 24 February 2009 • 00:00 am . Nov 19, 2020 - Getting rid of the matted guinea pig hair can be tricky. Step 2 – Prepare a guinea pig for a bath. Start by petting the head or under the chin. To take care of them FULLY.I am coming to visit atm (they will be leaving with me) and my long haired pigs fur is very, very matted.Especially near the bottom. Make sure to pet your guinea pig and talk to it calmly while you brush it. The feet Check the nails, and never let them get too long. Fungus can cause bald patches, scaly skin, and hair loss. You may notice a opaque liquid which will be secreted from your cavies eyes. Guinea pigs can suffer from fungus, like ringworm. The feet and underside are usually areas to avoid, and the back might even be an area to avoid. Ask for a diagnostic radiograph. The average lifespan of these guinea pigs is 7 to 8 years. A guinea pig suffering from a respiratory problem may experience sneezing, lethargy, discharge from the nose and/or eyes, loss of appetite and difficulty breathing. In August I had to move with my mom across the country and leave my pigs with my dad until now.I'm gonna be honest, my dad doesn't know how. If your guinea pig hates baths, then take a washcloth, run it under quite warm water, and lightly wring it out. Take it and hold it for a while making sure that the animal is calm. Matted fur. Step 4 – Place a guinea pig in a sink or a basin. Damp fur is sometimes easier to brush out rather than dry fur. The Spruce 2019 Ileus . It has since increased in size. There’s a chance the roots of their teeth could be growing as well, which can cause other health issues. Fur is sometimes easier to brush out rather than dry fur, your! Essential for preventing health issues, but soaking his bottom in water and wiping with bathing wet would. 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