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To trim or not to trim?

HeatherW

HeatherW

Adult Guinea Pig
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Pickle is a very floofy pig with dense hair and I'm wondering if I should give her a very short hair cut to help her in the hot weather. I didn't think my pigs drank from the water bottles, but in the last couple of weeks, I've heard them drinking frequently. Whenever I've looked, it's always been Pickle drinking and never Jasmine.

They live indoors with a window open for ventilation during the day. Attached is a picture so you can see how long her hair is. My fingertip is touching her skin and you can see the length of it goes beyond the second joint of my finger!

Should I trim some of her floof off? I've not seen any threads about cutting hair to help with hot weather, only to stop/remove matting.

Thanks!
 

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I have several long haired guinea pigs and trim all of them to prevent mats and wet bottoms!

2uqj8u1.jpg
 
I've trimmed Pickle and Jasmine around the rear for the same reason, but I'm wondering if I should give Pickle an overall major haircut to help with the heat, not matting. It's done for dogs, but can and should it be done to guinea pigs?
 
I trim around bellies and bums for my long haired pigs for cleanliness but I don't shorten their coat in summer unless I have to. I make sure we have lots of ways of cooling the pigs and extra for the 3 long haired pigs I have. I know if it gets hot enough then I will have to, but as i'd rather not have them loose their lovely coats, then I will only do it if needed. Thankfully so far with lots of cooling techniques I haven't had to consider it yet.
 
I trim all of mine for comfort and to prevent knotting. If it gets hot in their room I open the window/s.
 
I'm always watching the temp. I have temp monitors everywhere, fans, cooling pads, tiles, ice bottles, open windows, blinds, cool water and cool veg.
 
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