How to groom your guinea pigs

A well-groomed guinea pig is a happy guinea pig and, as animal welfare charity Blue Cross advises: “Grooming is a vital part of the routine care of guinea pigs.”

And, whether you have short-haired or long-haired piggies, it’s important to meet their individual grooming needs.

“Short-haired guinea pig breeds such as the American Cavy only need brushing once a week to minimise shedding and keep them clean,” says independent vet practice Avenues Vet Centre. “Any more could result in loss of hair density and quality. Long-haired guinea pig breeds such as Peruvians and Abyssinians generally need brushing two to three times a week to prevent matting and dirt build-up, which can lead to infection and parasites.”

The veterinary practice explains that while guinea pigs usually do a great job of grooming themselves to keep clean, there are many benefits that come with regular grooming, such as:

• Keeping your guinea pig free from tangles and dirt
• Checking for skin lumps and bumps, hair loss, dental problems and pests
• Bonding time with your tiny companion
• Helping them stay clean if they are elderly or unwell
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1. Help your piggies get used to being handled

“Not all guinea pigs will enjoy being brushed, however, it is an essential part of keeping them healthy,” advises Avenues Vet Centre. “You could also gently stroke them from head to toe whilst brushing.”

Helping your piggies to feel comfortable about being handled is the key to a successful grooming routine.

The Animal Welfare Foundation, a charity led by the veterinary profession, says: “Make sure you know how to handle your guinea pigs properly and always approach them quietly and gently, beginning when they are young. Start by offering them food from your hand that they like, so that they learn to associate you with nice things. Daily gentle handling will let them get used to you, reducing their stress.”

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“Some guinea pigs don’t mind being brushed whereas others feel very nervous and sensitive,” advises Guineapiggles, an online resource set up by guinea pig health and wellbeing devotee Monique Hanford. “Make sure you settle your guinea pig on a safe area or on your lap before you begin. Guinea pigs have very delicate skin, so it is essential to be as gentle as possible.”

“If you are not sure how to groom your guinea pigs properly, talk to a pet care specialist as grooming needs to be introduced slowly and positively,” recommends the RSPCA.

Your local animal rescue centre or a veterinary practice that specialises in small exotic pets  are good places to get advice.

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2. Invest in a guinea pig grooming kit

For short-haired guinea pigs, you should only need a soft brush and a wide-toothed small pet comb to remove loose hairs. If you have long-haired piggies, Guineapiggles stresses the importance of having a good grooming kit for your guinea pig so your pets feel safe and comfortable during their pampering session. Items to look for include:

• Soft brush: A soft brush is ideal for a short-haired guinea pig. They are also useful for brushing closer to a longer-haired guinea pig’s face.
• Small pet comb: Useful for longer-haired breeds, those with wider spaced teeth can help remove all the tangles.
• Bristle brush: These brushes are great for getting rid of minor tangles and especially for removing loose hair in long-haired guinea pigs.
• Round tipped scissors for hair trimming: The round ended scissors (also known as ball-tip) makes these a lot safer than standard scissors which have a sharp end.

3. Start with gentle brushing to remove dead hair

Depending on your pet’s breed and hair type, Avenues Vet Centre recommends using the palm of your hand (add water if your guinea pig is shedding) or a metal pet-flea comb to gently brush them in the direction their hair grows.

 “A short-haired guinea pig can be brushed weekly, but you will need to comb through the manes of long-haired cavies on a daily basis – they are much higher maintenance!” is the advice from Guineapiggles, adding: “These sessions can also be fun and can help you and your guinea pig bond. Providing you take your time and are careful to be gentle and patient, your guinea pig will become more relaxed and at ease with you each time you do this. As your pet becomes tamer, you will also enjoy the routine more too.”

As well as helping your guinea pigs look their best, getting rid of loose hair will also help prevent your cavy chums ingesting hairballs which can lead to digestive problems, especially with longer-haired guinea pigs.

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4. The best way to deal with matts and tangles

With longer haired breeds such as a Silkie, Peruvian, or Texel, Guineapiggles recommends brushing them daily with a bristle brush before combing them through. “If you come across any tangles that don’t easily brush out, don’t persist with trying to detangle it – use the round ended scissors to remove the knot. Once you’ve brushed thoroughly and removed any knots, use the wide toothed side of the comb to gently to through the hair again to make sure their hair is tangle-free. Don’t go too quickly or it may pull the hair which can be very uncomfortable for your guinea pig as they have such sensitive skin.”

If your guinea pig’s coat has become matted, the best thing to do is to carefully and gently cut it out. Guineapiggles advises: “If it is very matted right to the skin, cut as much as you can, using your fingers as protection against the skin and leave the bit that is behind your fingers as it is very risky to try and cut close. Continue to groom on a daily basis and when that last matted piece is long enough, gradually cut it out. Don’t try to comb it through because once it has got to this stage it is virtually impossible to detangle and it will only cause your pet to become upset if you attempt to comb it through.”

5. Get into a regular grooming routine for healthy, happy guinea pigs

Avenues Vet Centre has this handy grooming guide to help you cover off all your guinea pig grooming requirements:

• BRUSH & BROWSE Brush once a week (short-hair) or 2-3 times (long-hair) – use the palm of your hand (add a bit of water if shedding) or a metal narrow-toothed comb. Look and feel all over for lumps, sores, hair loss and pests too.
• EAR CLEAN Weekly check for wax build up, bacterial infections and ear mites. Foul smell or reddish/brown crustiness requires vet treatment. Clean outer ear with diluted guinea pig shampoo, never poke anything inside.
• DENTAL CHECK Weekly, check for broken/misshapen teeth. Inhibited eating or drinking is a vet emergency.
• GREASE GLAND WIPE Weekly, wipe grease gland (a penny-sized oil gland at base of spine used for scenting and marking) with diluted guinea pig shampoo, to prevent build-up and infection.
• NAIL TRIM Every 1-2 months, depending on age, diet, cage type, and activity level. Reduce pet stress with a professional nail clipping service. (Offered by veterinary practices that specialise in small exotic pets).
• ‘BUTT’ BATH Occasionally, if soiled with urine/faeces, more often if long-haired. Wash bottom half only in shallow water with guinea pig shampoo. Towel-dry thoroughly.

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***MORE TOP TIPS ON CARING FOR YOUR GUINEA PIGS FROM THE SMALL ANIMAL SPECIALISTS***

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association, which works to drive excellence in veterinary practice to improve the health and welfare of small animals, stresses the role that diet plays in keeping your guinea pigs happy and healthy, along with caring for these small pets appropriately.

• HAY, HAY and MORE HAY! Grass and/or hay is the most important dietary item and should be available at all times to all guinea pigs. The high fibre provided by these items is essential to wear down the teeth that are constantly growing and to ensure that the intestinal tract remains healthy. Quality, bagged, dust-free meadow or timothy hay is suitable for guinea pigs.
• A DAILY DOSE OF VITAMIN C It is also essential to provide them with vitamin C as, like people, they lack the enzyme to produce this important vitamin. Vitamin C deficiency, also known as scurvy, can lead to a host of health problems. Good-quality commercial guinea pig pellets are used to supplement the hay/grass and vegetable-based diet. Look for pellets with stabilised vitamin C and a high fibre content.
• GENERAL CARE Good husbandry (good enclosure design and hygiene, and appropriate diet) is the most important tool for prevention of disease in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs require regular veterinary check-ups, at least annually. At this time your guinea pig will receive a thorough examination, allowing the vet to pick up on any health issues in the earliest stages. Guinea pigs do not require vaccination or regular worming.

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LOOKING FOR NEW GUINEA PIG FRIENDS? There are all sorts of piggies across the UK hoping to be rehomed with loving owners. Check out these short-legged lovelies at Blue Cross, RSPCA, Woodgreen, Gerties, Neville’s Nest and Little Wheekers!

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