Knotted every day

Chaz

Chaz

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jul 3, 2018
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Location
U.K
Every day, I have to brush one of my girls and she will always be knotted to the point where she jolts because I'm pulling at her fur. I wouldn't describe her as long furred, but longer than my two short haired ones. Shes always been mute around me, but talks to her sisters. She doesn't seem to groom herself, and it's not a recent thing either. I have never seen her groom herself. She isn't as energetic as her sisters. They'll be jumping onto the hidey and running around and she doesn't. I know if it's a new thing, then to get her seen by a vet, but she's never been playful or energetic. There's probably a post on here about her being matted when I got her.
I don't know whether to be worried or not, as it's not a recent change in behaviour. I washed her the other day (Just her bum area) and the next day she was knotted and had shavings stuck to her fur. I don't really know how to prevent the knots.
 
Ramia said:
Can you give her a short haircut?
Click to expand...
Yes, trimming off long strands that are prone to Matts is the best approach. Guinea pigs are sensitive to having pressure on their fur and will tell you when they are uncomfortable. She seems quite shy so possibly doesn't express pain very assertively, but if she is jolting, you are causing her discomfort when combing or brushing her knots. Rather snip off the knot with scissors and keep the fur in that area short. I find my piggy gets knotted fur underneath him and in his under arms and groin. Don't pull on the knot to remove it, but cut into it from the outside into the middle bit by bit until it's gone. Grooming so that the piggy is comfortable and is enjoying being gently groomed massively improves your relationship with your piggy as it releases endorphins in both of you. My piggies have become much tamer since I started to groom them regularly. I watch their body language for feedback and ensure that they are comfortable. My long haired piggy knows that I will help him to take care of his coat and he really appreciates this, especially when the weather gets warmer.
 
Chaz said:
Every day, I have to brush one of my girls and she will always be knotted to the point where she jolts because I'm pulling at her fur. I wouldn't describe her as long furred, but longer than my two short haired ones. Shes always been mute around me, but talks to her sisters. She doesn't seem to groom herself, and it's not a recent thing either. I have never seen her groom herself. She isn't as energetic as her sisters. They'll be jumping onto the hidey and running around and she doesn't. I know if it's a new thing, then to get her seen by a vet, but she's never been playful or energetic. There's probably a post on here about her being matted when I got her.
I don't know whether to be worried or not, as it's not a recent change in behaviour. I washed her the other day (Just her bum area) and the next day she was knotted and had shavings stuck to her fur. I don't really know how to prevent the knots.
Click to expand...

Hi

You may find our hair cutting guide helpful; it contains practical tips, videos and pictures for various procedures, including how to deal with the most knotted parts without destroying the whole coat.

An Illustrated Guide to Hair Cutting
 
My Gaia has long fur and I rarely see her groom herself. It's around her bum where she mostly gets the tangles and she hates having them brushed out so now she gets regular bum trims instead. And the occasional side trim, as her fur eventually gets so long, she ends up stepping on it and tripping over herself.
 
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