brushing and bathing

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kerry

kerry

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Hi guys!

A few weeks ago I posted about my guinea pigs (two young, long haired females).
They still hate having their hair washed and brushed!
They squeal and shake and grumble at me but I have to do it otherwise it gets matted. I run a little warm water in the bath and let them run around so the knots are loosened and then I either brush or trim their hair. I tried giving them veg and swaddling them in a towel so they felt safe but they still squeal like its hurting when I'm positive its not...


Help :(
 
Our long haired girl hated her hair brushed too. Use a big toothed comb or brush and hold the hair at the base so as you brush you don't pull it. Give them food while you are doing it. Trim the bum fur so it does not get matted at all. We only ever bath if there is a medical reason to do so or if they get really messy.

But definitely carefully trim the bum fur, this will reduce mucky mats round bottom
 
Agreed about keeping them trimmed. I have 1 long haired guinea pig, although at 1 point i had 3 and they all hated being bathed/groomed, i have found it much less stressful for them to keep their hair shorter....Especially as mentioned round the bum area.
I only bath my guinea pigs now a few times a year when needed really...and as long as the hair is kept short is isn't needed that often.
 
I only bathe mine twice a year (at most) as techincally guineas dont need bathing unless they do get mucky bums.
Piggies under 6 weeks should not be bathed. Try filling the sink with only an inch of water, you can put a flannel on the bottom so they dont slip, I find they panic less. I keep my long haired piggies very short so reduce the knots and i prefer a soft baby brush.
 
I have found the little slicker brushes brilliant for piggies who hate being brushed, cuts through long coats easily too, I find combs catch in thicker coats which can panic them. I keep my long haired piggies undercut so long top layer and shorter under layer helps a lot with knots. my alpaca hates being brushed and cut, he starts chuntering when he sees me with scissors :))
 
and I thought it was me imagining my lunkarya chuntering at me when he sees scissors! They must recognise them lol! whats a slicker brush?
 
gogoguineas said:
and I thought it was me imagining my lunkarya chuntering at me when he sees scissors! They must recognise them lol! whats a slicker brush?
Click to expand...

My lunky is fine with anything I do to him unless it involves medication and a syringe :)) Alpaca is a nightmare he is stroppy :))

I have one of these, its been a god send with the alpaca. Combing him was a struggle and the comb tugged on his hair but he lets me brush him with this and gets any matts out a treat. Although I was ripped off notice they are now on offer :))

http://www.littlepetwarehouse.co.uk/luxury-grooming-small-animal-slicker-brush-p-7605.html
 
Oooh I have one if them, all of mine hate it Lmao!
My lunky goes crackers if I try and do anything to his hair lol, trimming is the only way!
 
gogoguineas said:
Oooh I have one if them, all of mine hate it Lmao!
My lunky goes crackers if I try and do anything to his hair lol, trimming is the only way!
Click to expand...

Mine prefer it to the comb, I probably have odd piggies. I don't brush the lunky, I just run my fingers through his hair and trim.. Recently took him to the vets with his cage mate and they fell in love with him, he was on their facebook page for the guess the breed contest, no one guessed his breed :))
 
i just run my fingers through their hair and if i find a knot i cut it out. Do trim them at the back (i have a texel and a peruvian) I looked up how to look after them on youtube and that is the advise i got
 
I generally use a baby brush meant for babies (human babies). The bristles are soft and less bothersome on their damp hair.
 
bathed my peruvian ,Pebbles, and my texel , Fizz. Pebbles fine and just relaxed Didn't bat an eyelid when I cut her hair at the back although I did cut it when wet and forgot it doesn't fall straight down so now has a tufty butt. Fizz was a nightmare. She tried to climb out of the bath and squealed when I combed her. She really didn't appreciatte being trimmed Got photos but need my sons help to put them on here I use a wide toothed blunt comb and it works really well she is just a drama queen Think I should change her name to diva.
 
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