guinea pig excessive hair loss/shedding

[Popcorn bby]

hi. does anyone know what could be the cause of my guinea pig suddenly starting to excessively shed? she's always shed a bit but for a few days i've noticed huge patches of hair on the floor where she lays and today I lightly tugged at some of her back hair and it came out with little to no force. i do not think there are bald spots, though. she is on revolution and has been for possible mites so i am not sure why this is happening. could this be related to stress (we just lost her cagemate)? thank you.

 

[Wiebke]

hi. does anyone know what could be the cause of my guinea pig suddenly starting to excessively shed? she's always shed a bit but for a few days i've noticed huge patches of hair on the floor where she lays and today I lightly tugged at some of her back hair and it came out with little to no force. i do not think there are bald spots, though. she is on revolution and has been for possible mites so i am not sure why this is happening. could this be related to stress (we just lost her cagemate)? thank you.

Hi!

If a piggy is shedding hair without there being bald patches it can have two reasons:
- sudden stress: This a one-off reaction to a situation that is for some reason stressing out your piggy.
- moulting: Some guinea pigs will shed hair seasonally more noticeably than others. This happens typically in spring or autumn or in the wake of a very marked change in temperatures.

Please contact your vet if you have health concerns. In your case it can be a stress reaction to the loss of her friend.

Here is our advice for bereaved guinea pigs (including possible health concerns):
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Death, Dying, Terminal Illness and Grieving: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children