Dry Skin/Greasy fur

[Shannon R]

Hi there,

One of my pigs has terribly dry skin and his fur always seems greasy. I try not to over bathe, mostly on bum baths cause his back end gets dirty. His hair falls out terribly when I try to brush him and I think its cause of his dry skin. He has longer hair as he is an Abyssinian.

Ive ruled out mites multiple times and tried anti fungals on all my pigs. They are not itchy.

Any advice for dry, greasy fur/skin?

 

[Posyrose]

Do you handle him regularly? I find if i don't stroke my piggies every day (such as when they go into boarding) they shed a great deal. I handle my piggies for hours each day (luckily they like it as much as I do ) I also groom them regularly with a brush and comb, depending what part of their coat I'm dealing with. My boy has a 'skirt' of long hair over his bottom, which I have to comb every day, or it gets into a tangled mess, and I cut it shorter in the summer months to keep him cool

Do they shed all the time; whether you have stroked them or not? Has it changed recently?

Gorgeous Guineas products are often recommended by members on here and, from what I have read about they are more than willing for you to contact them personally and get a recommendation of what to use.

It could also, of course be something that needs a vet appointment. If so, I can't advise, but maybe the resident guru @Wiebke could help. Good luck!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi there,

One of my pigs has terribly dry skin and his fur always seems greasy. I try not to over bathe, mostly on bum baths cause his back end gets dirty. His hair falls out terribly when I try to brush him and I think its cause of his dry skin. He has longer hair as he is an Abyssinian.

Ive ruled out mites multiple times and tried anti fungals on all my pigs. They are not itchy.

Any advice for dry, greasy fur/skin?

Hi! Have you checked for an overactive grease gland? This is rarer in sows than boars, but both genders can be affected.
Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

Some guinea pigs can shed more than others. It is more typical for teddies to show these symptoms. There is not a lot you can do I have found as most skin products aren't formulated for guinea pig skin ph. You can ask Gorgeous Guineas for advice in that respect.

Abyssinians don't have longer hair, it is just standing up more than in smooth coated piggies.