short hair versus long hair

[cara74]

I was curious if anyone has some insight into short hair versus long hair guinea pigs. I have been given the opportunity to adopt a mother/daughter pair of guinea pigs, however, the mother is a long hair and the daughter is medium (I'm not sure what the correct terminology is for that).



I've only had short haired and I am afraid of the unknown. I'm sure with long hair they take more time to groom (especially if using pine or aspen bedding).



Please let me know what your thoughts are.



After my last adoption fiasco I have made sure to ask how they have been treated. These piggys have been well taken care of (The have been to the vet for check-ups (not for being sick), get play time daily as well as fresh vegetables daily).

Also, what other types of questions should I ask to make sure that they are healthy (I haven't actually seen them yet).

Thanks for all your help

 

[Piglet]

You're right in the fact that they need more grooming. Long haired pigs can get knots in their hair so they need to be brusehd softly regularly. Also, the area around their bums can get wet and matted. You may have to give the odd bum soak!

I think it's great that you are gettting more pigs, cannot wait to see the pictures! (We are all expecting you to bombard us with pictures, it's the policy!

You could ask what are their favourite veggies, so you know what to buy them. Ask the rescue how many times the pigs have been taken to the vet and what for.

 

[Katie]

I was curious if anyone has some insight into short hair versus long hair guinea pigs. I have been given the opportunity to adopt a mother/daughter pair of guinea pigs, however, the mother is a long hair and the daughter is medium (I'm not sure what the correct terminology is for that).



I've only had short haired and I am afraid of the unknown. I'm sure with long hair they take more time to groom (especially if using pine or aspen bedding).



Please let me know what your thoughts are.



After my last adoption fiasco I have made sure to ask how they have been treated. These piggys have been well taken care of (The have been to the vet for check-ups (not for being sick), get play time daily as well as fresh vegetables daily).

Also, what other types of questions should I ask to make sure that they are healthy (I haven't actually seen them yet).

Thanks for all your help

Ask if they have been treated for mites as a precautionary measure. All rescues should do this.

 

[pennick]

Be prepared to snip snip your piggies hair especially at the bottom where she does her business and especially if you use shavings. I have to keep trimming one of mine so it doesnt get all wet and matted. It's really no big deal, just have to be careful with scissors.

 

[Piglet]

Oh yes, that's what I meant to say as well. You may have to trim the hair.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Keeping them on wood stove pellets will make everything easier.

 

[Plummie]

I have both short-haired and long-haired piggies and I must say I LOVE the long hair! I give the two peruvian girls little haircuts from time to time and it's fun. I also use kd pine shavings and have never had any problems at all with mats or tangles, but I do clean their cage every night.

 

[Guinea_Gal]

I just adopted three texels and they are the cutest little furballs i HAVE EVER SEEN. I have had three short haired girls for three years now and was also a bit nervous about getting long haired cavies. But, i am so glad i did. I use aspen and i just brush off their butts when i take them out for lap time. It isn't a big hassle. I am so excited about giving them all a bath soon! Yah

 

[Daisy Duke]

I love texels and long hairs.

 

[Piglet]

I would have thought it would be easier to house them on fleece, no? No soiled bedding would be present to get stuck in between the fur

 

[Daisy Duke]

I think fleece would be better also, but I think carefresh would also be good as it is more in clumps.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Fleece is great for long haired piggies, but you still have to trim the fur around the bottom because it will get wet and tangled.

 

[John4216]

Of the 6 I have only 1 is an abby and has semi long hair and mine are on fleece and I have to trim her hair on her bottom because it tends to get wet though it got much worse on carefresh and shavings.