How to care for my long haired guinea

[Kimicub]

When I first got my guineas i really only wanted short haired ones as i know they are easier to care for(hair wise). I didnt know when i got coco that she was a long haired guinea and i need some help. She gets a lot of matted hair around her bum. She is quite skittish so a bit hard to get her out but I'm getting her out everyday now for at least 10mins to get used to the process.
I just want to know: how often can i bathe her and what should i be doing in regards to grooming her to get rid of the knots. Thank you!

 

[Betsy]

Piggies get stressed by baths. I have a long haired piggie and I give her a bum bath in Posh n Go Conditioning Shampoo 150ml which is specially developed for long haired piggies. She has a bum bath when needed. I wrap most of her in a towel first with just her bum on show and then wash her according to the instructions on the bottle. Then she has a quick blow dry. If she is still knotty I pop her on the ironing board on some old newspaper with some kale to bribe her to keep still, have someone handy to catch her if she decides to wander off and get chopping at the long hair around her bum.

I have written a very handy and easy to follow guide here Guide to Cavy Coiffure (or how to give your guinea pig a haircut)Part 1 and here Guide to Cavy Coiffure Part 2

 

[Eriathwen]

Bathing as in full bathing should only be done when medically necessary as it strips the coat of necessary oils and can dry the skin, bum baths should be infrequent but as needed, and I personally would say only a few times a year should be necessary. What I have always done for my long haired ones is lift up the main 'skirt' of hair and trim everything blow it to about 1cm, nice and short. Cut out any and every knot if you're planning on bathing them, getting mats and knots wet make them tighten, heavy and they pull on the skin which is very painful. After that I put the main bulk of hair where it belongs and trim it to floor length then comb it through nice and gently. For curly breeds I just use my fingers, no combs etc.

Between baths you can use unscented, aloe free and baking soda free baby wipes, water wipes etc to give them a quick wipe but generally they're self cleaning.

 

[Kimicub]

Thank you guys. Will try again at giving her a cut tomorrow