Hair Trimming

[brightwing]

Hi,
I'm terrified of bathing my pigs because of the possibilities of them catching a cold- so I resort to trimming their hair. Only problem is, Caramel's fine with getting trimmed but as soon as Moo hears the sound of scissors she starts running circles on my lap and makes the "angry" noise. Does someone have solutions as how I might be able to fix this? Or is there a better object to use to trim their hair?



=( I'm so bummed also that I have to sell them soon because I'll be moving away for university

[Weatherlight]

Not as bummed as they are. Good for you that your parents didn't sell you to strangers because they moved (I hope they didn't, at least). Guinea pigs are for life. They aren't toys you dispose of when it's inconvenient to care for them. They certainly aren't toys you buy without planning to take care of. I advise you not get any more dependents before you learn what family, responsibility, and commitment are.

What type of scissors do you use? I've looked into electric clippers.

They'll be fine if you dry them thoroughly after a bath before putting them back in the cage.

Why do you need to trim/bathe them at all? Do they have long fur?

[bizziesdad]

Originally Posted by Weatherlight

Not as bummed as they are. Good for you that your parents didn't sell you to strangers because they moved (I hope they didn't, at least). Guinea pigs are for life. They aren't toys you dispose of when it's inconvenient to care for them. They certainly aren't toys you buy without planning to take care of. I advise you not get any more dependents before you learn what family, responsibility, and commitment are.

Holy cow. Pretty darn harsh from your easy chair. For all you know she has had these pets for 7-8 years and they are at the end of their lives and the timing terrible as she is going away to college. She could be so guilt ridden she cries herself to sleep holding them at night. She could have inherited these pets from an older/younger irresponsible sibling and is the only reason they have had a good life. She could have gotten them from the shelter she volunteers at 20 hours a week while holding down a 4 point GPA and working part time just to put lettuce and clean bedding in the cage. There are lots of things that could be going on here that you know nothing of and yet you attack her with your self rightous crud. She asked a question and is need of an answer. Not your opinion of her character.

[brightwing]

Originally Posted by Weatherlight

Why do you need to trim/bathe them at all? Do they have long fur?

If they were hairless, why would I even ask the question? Therefore, yes, they have long fur.

Also, I've had my piggies for almost two years. Back then, I didn't even consider moving away for university, and now since I will be, I am thinking ahead and trying to find them a new home. You didn't have to attack me like that.

[Jane_G]

I have bathed my guinea pig only once because she basically sat in her pee during floor time. I just made sure the room was a comfortable temperature and used warm, not hot water. I wrapped her in a towel right after and dried her really well. She didn't really like the bath, but didn't hate it either.

As far as hair trimming, maybe you could try nail or cuticle scissors. They are smaller and more quiet than traditional hair cutting scissors. Also, try just trimming her tush area instead of the rest of her. I don't have any other ideas on how to make her calm down other than having someone trim while you hold her.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your piggies.

[Weatherlight]

bizziesdad, true. Maybe she did everything absolutely right, she did all that she could.

In that case, why would she be selling them?

brightwing, I love your sarcasm. And how much it says about your "character." Non-hairless cavies can have different types and lengths of fur. You can consider clipping them all over if you use guards.

I don't consider it an attack to say you should not have dependents until you are responsible about it, and I won't take it back. You did not plan to take care of them; you got them anyway. Sometimes it seems to me that people put more thought into the care, maintenance, and future of cars, houses, and electric appliances than living, feeling dependent family members.

"No, really? I'm going to be moving within 2 years, and guinea pigs live longer than that? And maybe it won't be convenient to figure out a way to live with them after I move? How could I ever have thought of that?"

To help you out, here's a list of things to consider, but please keep in mind that it is not complete and you will have to think to make a good decision about getting more dependents: new partners/marriage, breakups/divorce, school transfers, new jobs, job transfers, other moves, inconvenient housing (dorms, apartments, etc), inconvenient location (distance from vets, gpig supplies, etc), quitting school, graduating, new pets, new human children, new housemates and their pets, loss of income, vet services costing thousands of dollars, medical difficulties for you or your family or caring for an aging family member, disability, retirement, travel, death of family/pets, death of yourself.

Better luck next time for whoever must fully depend on you for the security of their very lives.

There's a lot of good information around on privately adopting out animals. If you're willing, I encourage you to look at them instead of selling your pigs.

[paula.m.moore]

Right on, Weatherlight! Your reply most certainly wasn't an attack.

Some folks have a hard time facing the harsh reality of the situations(s) they themselves have created.

[brightwing]

Okay- when I made the post~ Have to admit that I wasn't aware of the differences between the term "selling" and "adopting out" [ I didn't even know that was a term].

As for my "hairless" comment- I literally meant hairless. Like bald. And I'm aware that guinea pigs have different types/lengths of fur. Mine are Shelties.

I guess my choice of words aren't the best. I'm basically typing hoping that I'm making sense so I used those terms loosely.

I got them way before I considered university, way before I thought about even moving away for it. I would let my brother look after my Gps, but I know that he won't do a good job which is why I'm trying to find someone who will take care of them.

[Cherish]

Why don't you just take them with you?

That's what I did when I went off to university, even when I lived in halls/student accomadation, I just kept them in my room with me.

We weren't even allowed pets, but my flatmates/housemates always loved them so much, they never complained and even helped me find somewhere to hide them when we had an inspection.

There are some users on here, too, that are at university and have guinea pigs, so you see it certainly is possible to take them with you.

As for the grooming question, as long as they're kept indoors (which guinea pigs should be, anyway) there's not much chance of them catching a cold, especially at this time of year, as long as you dry them properly- which is always my pigs' favourite part of the bathing process, they really like a cuddle and a rough towel-dry!

[bizziesdad]

Originally Posted by Weatherlight

bizziesdad, true. Maybe she did everything absolutely right, she did all that she could.

In that case, why would she be selling them?

brightwing, I love your sarcasm. And how much it says about your "character." Non-hairless cavies can have different types and lengths of fur. You can consider clipping them all over if you use guards.

I don't consider it an attack to say you should not have dependents until you are responsible about it, and I won't take it back. You did not plan to take care of them; you got them anyway. Sometimes it seems to me that people put more thought into the care, maintenance, and future of cars, houses, and electric appliances than living, feeling dependent family members.

"No, really? I'm going to be moving within 2 years, and guinea pigs live longer than that? And maybe it won't be convenient to figure out a way to live with them after I move? How could I ever have thought of that?"

To help you out, here's a list of things to consider, but please keep in mind that it is not complete and you will have to think to make a good decision about getting more dependents: new partners/marriage, breakups/divorce, school transfers, new jobs, job transfers, other moves, inconvenient housing (dorms, apartments, etc), inconvenient location (distance from vets, gpig supplies, etc), quitting school, graduating, new pets, new human children, new housemates and their pets, loss of income, vet services costing thousands of dollars, medical difficulties for you or your family or caring for an aging family member, disability, retirement, travel, death of family/pets, death of yourself.

Better luck next time for whoever must fully depend on you for the security of their very lives.

There's a lot of good information around on privately adopting out animals. If you're willing, I encourage you to look at them instead of selling your pigs.

You most certainly passed judgement and made down right evil comments in both the previous and current responses. I would urge the moderator of this forum to place sanctions against you if your personal attacks are going to continue. You are very clearly out of line.

This forum is about guinea pigs and guinea pigs only. We come here for help, support and guidance. Your suggestion to look at local adoption possibility's was a good one. All the rest of it is you acting morally higher and superior. This is not the place for your on high crap and unless I am mistaken you have not been crowned high queen of morality.

Please, either keep your personal attacks to yourself or simply go away and mind your own business. I am sure there are people on this forum that want you as their mother and would more than welcome you telling them what they are doing wrong and how to correct themselves to be more like you. I urge you to search them out, start a forum and dole out your worldly all knowing words of wisdom to them.


Thanks

[bizziesdad]

Originally Posted by paulammoore

Right on, Weatherlight! Your reply most certainly wasn't an attack.

Some folks have a hard time facing the harsh reality of the situations(s) they themselves have created.

"wasnt an attacK"?????? You are kidding yes?

What would you call it then?

If you ask about bathing your pets and instead are called irresponsible and advised you are lucky your parents didnt sell you then you have been attacked. She attacked this poor young adult by questioning both her character and intelligence.

The reality is the poster needed advice on bathing. Either give some advice or back off. At no time did the poster ask "what do you think about me as a person?".

Pretty simple really. Maybe you should read her response again.

[Biscuit]

It wasn't as harshly worded as what could happen to the pigs, or to the thousands of other animals irresponsibly adopted and later dumped.

Information contained in the post was commented upon, therefore it is pretty much fair game. You don't really get to show up and ask a question then get mad when we comment on something else in the post.

Bizzie, you come off far more rude than Weatherlight did, to me. Evil comments? Drama much!?

[brightwing]

Originally Posted by Biscuit

It wasn't as harshly worded as what could happen to the pigs, or to the thousands of other animals irresponsibly adopted and later dumped.

Are my actions of trying to find my pigs a new home considered irresponsible? I'm not leaving them in the streets to fend for themselves or something.

[Biscuit]

Honestly, I wouldn't go to that university if I couldn't bring my pigs. It's not their fault you changed your mind.

Anytime someone adopts and animal and then adopts them back out short of severe illness has done something irresponsible to end up in that situation. In this case, going to the university is a choice, it is not out of your hands.

Everyone does irresponsible things in their lives, everyone. I am not saying I am immune to it, but the fact that you are now not "dumping them on the street" does not make expunge your responsibility.

It's very simple, adopting a pet and not keeping them for their entire life, short of severe illness and other like situations, is irresponsible. Period. I am not saying this to beat you up over it, I am only hoping you understand that and take it very seriously in the future. I am not saying I am better than you. I have made a similar mistake in my life, when I was a child...I was irresponsible and I feel horrible to this day. Understanding the gravity of it now may spare you the guilt I feel.

[Ziggy&Herald]

Originally Posted by Cherish

Why don't you just take them with you?

That's what I did when I went off to university, even when I lived in halls/student accommodation, I just kept them in my room with me.

We weren't even allowed pets, but my flatmates/housemates always loved them so much, they never complained and even helped me find somewhere to hide them when we had an inspection.

There are some users on here, too, that are at university and have guinea pigs, so you see it certainly is possible to take them with you.

As for the grooming question, as long as they're kept indoors (which guinea pigs should be, anyway) there's not much chance of them catching a cold, especially at this time of year, as long as you dry them properly- which is always my pigs' favourite part of the bathing process, they really like a cuddle and a rough towel-dry!

You got lucky! Simple as that. You can't expect this person to jeopardize her education on being lucky that college roommates will be OK with it. Also, there is no way to house a GP in a cage that is suitable for them in a college dorm. No way to "hide" a cage that size either. I had family members who were capable of caring for the pets I had my freshman year, seeing as at the university I went to wont allow freshman to live off campus unless living with family. My sophomore year, I moved off campus and rented a place that allowed pets. She has already stated that when getting the pigs moving away wasn't an issue. Things change, some people have no control of that and they must re home their pets. As long as she does what is necessary to find them good homes that will care for them, and not dump them at a shelter or rescue, no one can tell her what she is doing is wrong.

As for bathing and drying, since yours have long hair, I would suggest either just doing a quick wash at areas that are more soiled, or blow drying. Just make sure they are dry before putting them back. I've only cut my texel's hair around the genital area to keep clean and I just used scissors. They do have clippers that are quieter than most, maybe that could be an option for you as well.