Grooming long haired guinea pig

[ElleTrixieB13]

One of my new friends has long hair. It is absolutely gorgeous with her golden flowing locks, but I'm not sure how to care for it. I did comb most of her last night, but I'm wondering if I should be clipping around her back end (there was some matting there I clipped out).

I am not well versed in grooming so any advice is appreciated. I'd like to keep her hair long if I can take care of it.

 

[Rivervixen]

Have no experience in grooming long haired piggies but she is just beautiful xx

 

[Betsy]

I am in the middle of writing grooming guide for the forum. It has been somewhat delayed as we moved house. Hopefully I'll get it finished soon

You should keep the rear end as short as possible (Betsy often sports a very fashionable wedge cut) to prevent it getting dirty and matted.

Here is the Ever Beautiful Betsy after a bum bath and bum trim.

 

[flowerfairy]

I have 4 long haired beauties and all get a hair cut similar to Betsy's. I use round ended scissors that I got from amazon.

 

[Posyrose]

I too keep the rear end short if it's prone to matting. I also suggest slowly getting them used to daily brushing. That means you can deal with knots before they need to be cut out. Usually a piggie will get resigned to the daily indignity of dealing with their rear end

 

[Betsy]

Betsy is good when I give her a trim as long as give her something to nibble on at the teeth end that is!

 

[Alisa3114]

I have 5 long haired girls and find it easier to use electric clippers on them they don't struggle so much and it's over quicker. I keep them short around their bum and back legs and the sides I trim any bits that have grown long enough to touch the floor. If you keep up the brushing you will find it keeps any matting to the bear minimum.

 

[Posyrose]

Bribes are always a good idea!

 

[ElleTrixieB13]

Thank you all! I will trim up her rear and slowly work on combing. She's pretty skittish, so I want to take it slow, but also want her coat in good shape!

I'm glad to know keeping it long is possible with some lady trims on the back end.

 

[ElleTrixieB13]

I got about 1/4 of her combed out tonight.... so much dead hair is coming out!

 

[Betsy]

I got about 1/4 of her combed out tonight.... so much dead hair is coming out!

Wow! She'll feel better when it's all out! That's almost a whole piggies worth of hair! In fact it probably is Dennis he's such a tiny boar

 

[eileen]

i use a combination of electric clippers and round ended scissors.your piggie will feel lighter now !

 

[ElleTrixieB13]

More progress tonight! Tomorrow clippers for a sanitary trim!

 

[Rivervixen]

So much hair! Beautiful girl though