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In general, the guinea pig requires fairly simple care. Only the long-haired and skinny types need extra attention. To get the guinea pig used to the grooming ritual, providing distraction is a good tip. This can be done, for example, by offering a piece of cucumber for the animal to nibble on while brushing. In addition, it can work well to choose a fixed place and time for care. This makes it predictable for the guinea pig.

How should you care for the long coat of a long-haired guinea pig?

Long-haired Guinea pigs need to be brushed regularly, especially during the period when they shed more. Long-haired Guinea pigs are less able to groom themselves. Shedding in guinea pigs is initiated by various factors such as day length, hormones, temperature and even humidity. Guinea pigs shed mainly in the spring and autumn, but some shedding throughout the year is normal.

When should the guinea pig's coat be shortened?

It is advisable to shorten the coat in the following cases:

• In the summer when it is hot
• If the coat is dirty or wet. Guinea pigs live low to the ground, causing them to drag their fur along the ground. If the coat becomes and remains dirty and wet, it is more hygienic to shorten it. Staying in this condition for too long can cause urinary tract inflammation.
• Even if too much dirt remains around the oil gland or the butt, it is wise to shorten this part so that it remains clean.
  
  

Do Guinea Pigs groom their own fur?

Guinea pigs take very good care of their fur. For most short-haired guinea pigs, a glove removal is sufficient, but long-haired guinea pigs need more attention when it comes to coat care.

Did you know?
Shelters often get long-haired guinea pigs back because they smell? This is because feces remain in the coat. By keeping the coat short in those places, the coat stays nice and fresh and clean.

For good coat care, we recommend an anti-slip mat and the right brushes. An anti-slip mat can easily be placed on the table or even on your lap. The mat stays in place well and the animals have grip, which they really like. It's also soft and soaks up any little puddles of joy.

What should you check your guinea pig for weekly?

Check the guinea pig weekly for tangles. Try to untangle these with your fingers, it is easier and often gentler than with a comb. If that does not work, it is advisable to cut it out. Do not brush or comb, it can be too painful. Make sure you keep the correct distance between the clit and the skin!

Did you know?
Brushing stimulates blood circulation and gives the animals better blood flow.

Which brush do you need for your Guinea pig?

Guinea pig breeds such as the Rex and US-Teddy can be brushed with a coat brush. For long-haired breeds, a comb with rotating teeth is better. Make sure that you include all layers of the coat during the brush or comb. When grooming, always brush in the direction of the coat.

How should you brush a guinea pig?

1. Here too, first feel through the coat with your fingers and check the skin for bumps, scabs or wounds.
2. Brush the coat several times until most of the loose fur is removed.
3. Check with a comb whether any tangles remain.
   
   

What is a sebaceous gland in the guinea pig?

Both males (boars) and females (sows) have a sebaceous gland. This gland is located on the lower back, just above the tail. The gland is more active in boars than in sows and is more visible in short-haired guinea pigs than in long-haired guinea pigs. A small bald spot can be seen on the short-haired guinea pig. The sebaceous gland contains sebaceous glands that produce a fatty layer under the influence of hormones. This greasy substance is used for territory marking. Because guinea pigs have difficulty accessing this gland, dirt can sometimes remain on it, which can be wiped off with a damp washcloth.

Can you wash a guinea pig?

If it is really necessary, the Guinea pig can be washed. The condition is that a shampoo is used that is specifically suitable for rodents and that the guinea pig is not washed too often. Washing always removes a small part of the protective fat layer from the skin. It then takes a few days before it is built up again. It is therefore important not to wash the animals too often.

How should you wash a guinea pig?

If the guinea pig needs to be bathed, use a suitable rodent shampoo and proceed as follows:

1. Place the Guinea pig in the sink, bath or bowl
2. For example, use a measuring cup to pour lukewarm water over the guinea pig's body, without wetting the head and ears.
3. Then massage the shampoo into the coat
4. Then rinse all the shampoo from the coat
5. Then dry the guinea pig very well. If the coat remains too wet, the guinea pig can become hypothermic.

What is Myiasis (Maggot Disease)?

Especially in the summer, you need to be careful with guinea pigs that live outside. If feces stick to the coat, which attracts flies, problems can arise. The flies will lay eggs in the guinea pig's fur and the maggots that emerge can cause major health problems. Therefore, always make sure that the enclosure and the guinea pig are fresh and clean. There are also special protective equipment that keep flies at bay.

How should a guinea pig's nails be trimmed?

A good nail length is about a quarter inch below life. Be careful when cutting the guinea pig nails! The nail is hollow and nerves run at the base of the nail. If the nerve (life) is cut, this is very painful for the guinea pig. With light nails the life is clearly visible, but with dark nails much less or not at all. If you don't dare, contact a guinea pig groomer or your vet.

NB! Never use normal scissors to cut the nails. The guinea pig nail must be cut with special scissors that are rounded. The guinea pig's nails are round and should be cut in a curve. If they were cut with normal scissors, the nail could split or break painfully.

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