Matted long GP hair

[Zb93]

I have two 1 year old long haired girls and I feel like I’ve failed as a Guinea Pig mom. One of the girls will let me cut their hair and groom them as needed. the other one won’t let me at all she screams and bites and runs from me and I’ve tried holding her in towels and she slips away. She has larger mats on her bum and I’m not sure how to help I just want her to be comfortable I’m not worried about how she will look. She’s absolutely terrified of me still no matter what I try with food and blankets.

 

[Betsy]

How long have you had your girls for?

 

[Sue and Smartie]

Can you rope in a friend to hold her still while you do the trimming?

 

[Swissgreys]

Don't feel bad. I am sure you can come up with a solution.
Start by taking a look a the hair cutting guide which is fully illustrated and very helpful

An Illustrated Guide to Hair Cutting

And even after 5 years it still takes 3 people just to trim Ruby's nails, so you're certainly not alone with challenging piggy behaviour!

 

[Black piggies]

I've have 2 new Peruvians who I've had a little bit of matting on and I'm learning how to clip them. They're extremely timid and older, so it's been hard to get them used to me. (Young boar adopted after them, is now much more tame).
I can't hold them without them going crazy, so I've been putting them in an amazon box with coriander or veg, and using blunt ended pet scissors, just carefully clipping a bit here and there as they walk around the box. They're not happy about it and I'm doing it little and often, but there's no way I could hold and clip them.

This is the optimal size of box I'm finding at the moment Too big and they move too much:

 

[Merab]

It’s taken me years to get Priscilla to the stage where she doesn’t scream the place down when I trim her fur.
With plenty of bribes she now tolerates the trimming at least long enough for half the job to get done.

I am still rewarded with dozens of poops and being weed on!

 

[Zb93]

How long have you had your girls for?

I’ve had them for about a year now

 

[Zb93]

I've have 2 new Peruvians who I've had a little bit of matting on and I'm learning how to clip them. They're extremely timid and older, so it's been hard to get them used to me. (Young boar adopted after them, is now much more tame).
I can't hold them without them going crazy, so I've been putting them in an amazon box with coriander or veg, and using blunt ended pet scissors, just carefully clipping a bit here and there as they walk around the box. They're not happy about it and I'm doing it little and often, but there's no way I could hold and clip them.

This is the optimal size of box I'm finding at the moment Too big and they move too much:

View attachment 183462

Thank you! I’ll try this out!

 

[WobblyPiggy]

Hi,
Please don't feel bad i have a 5-7 year old Silkie piggy he hates having his hair cut...we haven't even had him a year yet and in general he loves being a lap piggy just not being trimmed...unfortunately for him I have someone else hold him in a position I can cut his fur...he hates it and tries to bite...luckily they have rings on so he tends to nibble them...it can be difficult as you're still building trust with them too...maybe you could try having her near by when the other piggy gets a hair cut so she can watch...and just clip little bits off her...you might find the other piggy keeps her calm...or get her out more often and do a little snip here and there until its all off...and provide lots of positive reinforcement for them such as favourite snacks or a new item for their cage...

 

[VickiA]

Distraction and bribery often work well, but with some piggies you definitely need another person for support and help.

 

[Black piggies]

Yes local vet who has a big herd said she needs another person with some piggies.

 

[Black piggies]

Is anyone else terrified of clipping off their ears? It's freaking me out when I clip them. Hopefully the fear will pass. I'm super cautious.