Shedding

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Becca x

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I have two Abyssinian guinea pigs (Spaghetti and Hoops), they both shed but Hoops is much worse than Spaghetti. I use a slicker brush and a soft baby brush (although it feels like I could brush her forever and the hair would keep coming out - it's a miracle she's not bald!).

With the heat at the moment I've noticed they're both shedding even more than normal. When I pick them up a huge cloud of hair puffs out from them! Their skin looks fine and there's no change in behaviour so I think it's just the first proper bout of hot weather.

They live in a large hutch outdoors, positioned in the most sheltered part of the garden which never gets the sun. I only put them in the run when there's enough shade and it's in the cooler parts of the day.

I've seen people mentioning trimming their long haired piggies, but what about Abby's? Their hair doesn't look that long and they're very wriggly so I'd be nervous trying to approach with scissors.

Does anyone have any tips on a different brush (other other device!) or techniques that I can try?
 
I have an Aby too and he sheds much more than my other 3 piggies even the Texel who I would expect to shed! I wonder if it's an Aby thing? I use a slicker brush and a small metal comb which seems to get the most loose hair out. My comb is a small puppy one. The hot weather is making the pigs shed more. I've never heard of Aby's needing a hair cut, the hairs not really very long. Mine live in doors in a north facing room, my south facing garden is far too hot for them to go in the run at the moment during the day, I've been putting them out between 7 and 8 in the evening just to give them a change of scene.
 
Piggies do shed hair and especially in the heat or if ever a little stressed. You'll find longer haired breeds like peru's and aby's also shed fur more than shorter haired pigs.

Are Spaghetti and Hoops long haired aby's? We have never brushed any of our aby's at all and only ever trim bum fur if needed. To be honest only our first piggy Pitch in our avatar ever needed a brush.

Would love to see some photos of your two. I love their names :)
 
Hoops is the brown and white one and Spaghetti is tricoloured.

I don't think it is long hair, it just stands on end! I'll rule out hairdressing then - phew!

It might just seem worse cos it's not been anywhere near this hot yet. I'll try a comb and will do it for a few days to get the worst out. She quite enjoys being brushed at least. Spaghetti's a nightmare, she just wants to eat the brush!

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They're sooo beautiful!
One of the piggies I fostered had to live in the garden hutch for a few weeks (he couldn't get on with any of the others - even across the room they were teeth-chattering at each other constantly). It was still cooler than I'd have liked, but his fur seemed to get fluffier and coarser, so I think they maybe grow a winter coat, which would result in a lot of shedding when the weather changed. I'd be interested to know if I'm right on that assumption.
 
Ah that's what it might be then. Thanks :) I'll keep up the brushing to get the worst of it out!
 
Very cute, really beautiful colours on them, love the photo of them snuggled up.
 
Thanks :) a rare moment where they didn't both want to be in the exact same spot!
 
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