Suzanne supports guinea-pig culture, as they make great pets, especially for small children. Although Peruvian Guinea Pigs are beautiful, they need to be cared for with much more care.
The Peruvian guinea pig is the most famous and spectacular of all the long-haired breeds. Their silky, long hair can reach floor length (12-14 inches) and even longer in show specimens.
These were the first breeds with long hair to be selectively bred in order to show their beauty in the 15th century. Their long hair can be mistaken for a wig and they often draw many comments.
Peruvian Guinea Pigs
A Peruvian Guinea Pig is a difficult pet to care for. Although Peruvian Guinea Pigs are often kept for breeding and showing, they can be very difficult to care for. They require more attention than other breeds.
To prevent long hair of a Peruvian Guinea Pig from becoming matted or dirty between shows, many owners use hair wraps.
Daily Peruvian Guinea Pig Grooming and General Hair Care
Peruvians can be purchased in Agouti (Marked), Tricolour, Bicolour or Self colours. These are lighter shades than other guinea-pigs. This breed is playful, curious, and alert. The Sheltie (Silkie), which has long hair, is a longer-haired guinea pig variety.
Its hair grows backward from its head (or from the neck in a mule), and Texels which have curly, curly ringlets.
A gene causes long hair in Peruvian guineapigs. They are unable to manage their hair because they have too much. The hair falls to the floor and covers the face, falling down towards the back.
How to Deal with Matting and Soiling
To prevent matting, many Peruvian owners roll their hair between the shows. A matted coat can cause discomfort and irritation, and skin beneath may become infected, infected, and ulcerated.
If they are under the chin, or on the legs, large mats can affect the guinea-pig’s ability and ability to eat.
You must check for soiling by regularly clipping and grooming your plants, especially in warmer weather. Make sure to check the bottom of the back, especially the area around the back. If they are soiled, wash them.
How to give a Peruvian Guinea Pig its basic hair cut
- Give your guinea pig something to eat.
- To remove knots, comb the hair in the same direction it grows (mostly downward).
- Use small, sharp scissors to trim the hair from the body.
This unusual haircut by the rhinoceros-style guinea pig is a great example of creativity and colouring to create a unique look.
Peruvian Guinea Pig Grooming Regimen
Your Peruvian Guinea Pig should be groomed daily. Brush the hair in the same direction as it grows. You can remove tangles, loose hairs, and pieces of twigs from the hair with a soft brush. Your Peruvian Guinea Pig will be able to learn gentle daily grooming habits if you establish a routine at an early age.
It is best to trim the hair of your Peruvian if you don’t plan on showing them. To keep their hair beautiful and out of the way, many show breeders wrap the hair in tissue paper and secure it with rubber bands.
Beware of Fly Strike
Keep Peruvian Guinea Pigs clean and healthy. Otherwise, their hair could become matted and put them at risk for fly strike. Fly strike is when flies become attracted to urine or faeces, lay eggs and then eat the guinea pork’s tissues. Fly strike can cause death in Peruvian Guinea Pigs within days.
This Peruvian Guinea Pig is ready to get a new haircut. The hair should be trimmed to the feet, but not above the ankles. Otherwise the hair could get dirty and wet.
Hair loss and barbering of Peruvian Guinea Pig
When Peruvian Guinea Pigs get bored or hungry, they may eat, cut, or strip their companion’s hair. There are many reasons for hair chewing, such as boredom, excitement or dietary deficiencies.
Barbering: What Causes It? How to Cure It!
- Boredom Boredom can be reduced by spending more time with your Guinea Pig, acquiring a companion, or improving the cage.
- Excitement Anxiety and excitement can be especially evident when your pet is being cared for by strangers. They will settle down and relax if you are gentle with them.
- Hereditary Tendencies Barbering can be passed down from one generation to the next. Babies can learn to chew guinea-pig hair if their mother does it. This can make baby Peruvians hairless. Therefore, it is essential to provide Peruvian Guinea Pigs with sufficient hay, food, and companionship.
- Dietary Deficiencies Guinea pigs can chew hair even if there isn’t enough roughage or a deficiency in a nutrient. This can be achieved by providing a variety of chewable foods. People are often hesitant to use hay on guinea pigs with long hair. This can lead to matting and tangling. Dust-free shavings are better than hay if you want to maintain the length of your Peruvian Guinea Pig’s hair.
If the hair doesn’t chew despite being fed well, having a calm environment, and paying attention to your health, it might be time for a haircut.
Fresh grass is the only food Peruvian Guinea Pigs can live without.
The Effect of Diet on Hair Loss
Guinea pigs shed their hair throughout the year, but they moult more in spring or autumn when their coats are renewed. Hair loss in unusual amounts can be a sign of an internal problem such as scurvy, or lack of Vitamin C. They need this vitamin in their diet.
Guinea pig pellets that are less than 8-12 week old may contain Vitamin C. Vitamin C is easily broken down so it is important to have fresh pellets on a regular basis.
Otherwise, the Vitamin C will not be present. To meet this requirement, guinea-pigs should be fed vegetables and greens and not just pellets.
What about Vitamin C Drops for Peruvian Guinea Pig
Vitamin C drops can also be added to the water source of guinea pigs (add 1-3 mg Vitamin C for every 100g body weight). However, opinions are divided about this. Vitamin drops can cause dehydration. This is made worse by the potential heat stress in Peruvians.
Vitamin C should be included in your food. Multivitamins can cause poisoning in guinea-pigs so don’t give them.
Healthy diets and a varied diet will ensure that your Peruvian pet’s hair is healthy. This, along with a great haircut, will make them happy!
Recommended Fresh Foods For Guinea Pigs
What does a guinea pig eat?
- Apples
- Apricots
- Asparagus
- Bananas
- Basil
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Celery
- Coriander
- Cucumber
- Dandelion
- Dill
- Grass
- Green Beans
- Hay
- Kale
- Mint
- Mustard greens
- Oats
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Peaches
- Pellets
- Pumpkin
- Red Bell Peppers
- Rockmelon
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Sweet Potato
- Watermelon
- Zucchini
A healthy, alert guinea-pig shows you are doing the right thing.
How to Keep Your Long-Haired Pet Happy
If your animal is healthy, it will have bright, clear eyes, clean ears, and a clean nose. It will have a shiny, smooth coat and be active and alert. An annual veterinary exam is necessary at least once per year to ensure that your guinea pig is in good physical health. Here are some other things to look out for:
- Heat Stress Due to their fur, Peruvian Guinea Pigs could be more susceptible to heat stress. Owners must ensure that the temperature is maintained at the right level, and use cooling methods during hot weather.
- Stress for Vet and Grooming Peruvian Guinea Pigs are more likely than others to need vet visits. This can make it more stressful for them to visit the vet. Therefore, extra comfort should be provided, such as food rewards and attention. Peruvians can find trimming and grooming stressful at times. It is important to take extra care and make the experience pleasant for everyone.
- Nursing difficulties:It can be difficult for mothers to breastfeed their children. Babies may have difficulty finding their nipples underneath long hair.
- Eye irritation:Long hair touching the eyes of a Peruvian Guinea Pig can cause irritation.
More Hairstyles for Peruvian Guinea Pigs
A Peruvian guinea-pig with a layer haircut.
Hygiene & Bathing
The cage of a Peruvian Guinea Pig should be cleaned every day. Owners may change the bedding daily, while others clean the entire hutch. If the cage is dirty, a Peruvian Guinea Pig’s emotional and physical state will be affected. The cage must be cleaned frequently to prevent health problems.
If the floor litter becomes dirty, remove it and replace it. Refill the food and water bowls with hay and water. Make sure nothing sticks to the food containers. It is necessary to rinse the cage with disinfectant and clean it if it starts to smell or get dirty.
For Peruvian Guinea Pigs, Baths are Essential
While many people may tell you that guinea pigs shouldn’t be bathed or even allowed to, Peruvian guinea pigs must have their hair and skin cleaned. Bring water to a boil and fill the tub to about chest height.
Your guinea-pig should be placed in the tub so that it can place its feet in the bottom. Guinea pigs are not able to get out of water. However, Peruvians require a lot more bathing.
Wash your pet with non-perfumed products. A mild soap or shampoo for baby is recommended. Wrap your Peruvian Guinea Pig in a towel after the bath and allow the fur to dry. Hairdryers can be dangerous for guinea-pigs.
Heat stress can also occur in Peruvian guineas if they are exposed to too much heat. If you don’t have a hairdryer, it is okay to air dry your pet in a warm place. To calm your pet, brush or comb their hair.