How to Get Knots Out of a Guinea Pig's Fur

Last Updated: September 15, 2021

Knots and matted fur are a pain to untangle, especially if you have a long-haired guinea pig. If you don't maintain your guinea pig's fur properly, knots can become a big problem, and they only become worse if you don't treat them early. This article will be showing you how to get knots out of your guinea pig's fur and to also prevent it.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Combing the Fur Out

1
Gather a few supplies. You will need a comb, soft-bristled brush, treats, and a towel to dry and hold your guinea pig with. You'll want to gather these things before you grab your guinea pig so that you have everything on hand when you need them.
2
Bathe your guinea pig. Make sure to have a guinea pig certified shampoo on hand. Any other shampoos can irritate and dry out the skin, making the matted fur worse. Damp fur is sometimes easier to brush out rather than dry fur. When you go to dry your guinea pig, use a patting and stroking technique so that it doesn't tangle the fur even more.

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3
Transfer your guinea pig to a smaller space. Space will need to be easily accessible so that you have free movement and can pick your guinea pig up at any time without any fuss.
- A small puppy or playpen is a good idea. Do not add any objects to the space.
4
Use a soft-bristled brush. Brush the fur lightly out one stroke at a time. Avoid sharp tugs as it will irritate the skin and cause havoc among your guinea pig.
5
Use a comb. With the fur brushed out, continue untangling the knots with a comb. Remember - no tugging! If you cannot untangle the knot then it may require trimming.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Trimming the Fur

1
Transfer your guinea pig to a smaller space. The space will need to be easily accessible so that you have free movement and can pick your guinea pig up at any time without fuss.
- A small puppy or playpen is a good idea. Do not add any objects to the space.
2
Gather a few supplies. You will need a comb, sharp scissors, and possibly a bit of water spray to help untangle the fur.
3
Comb a partial amount of fur out. Comb the fur to as much as you can before your guinea pig starts showing signs of discomfort. Hold the matted knot with the comb upwards so that the skin and knot has been separated from the comb.
- Wet the knot with a lukewarm water spray if it's difficult to manage.
4
Cut the knot. Using your pair of sharp scissors, cut the knot away from the skin. The comb should be separating the knot from the skin so that you don't accidentally cut your guinea pig. Continue this process to the rest of the knots.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Preventing Matted Fur

1
Brush the fur daily. Simply combing the fur regularly can prevent knots. It's suggested as the most effective way to prevent matted fur too. Purchase a suitable comb or brush from a pet store that is designed for guinea pigs, and get them use to the daily habit.
2
Keep it trimmed. Long-haired guinea pigs require a lot of maintenance since their fur is continuously growing. The best way to avoid everything getting into a mess is managing the fur appropriately. Monthly trims may be required to keep it short, but choose a suitable length.
3
Consider the bedding material. Some bedding can cause matting as they get stuck in the fur and become entangled. For guinea pigs with long hair, it's recommended to keep them on fleece as opposed to wood shavings or the such.
4
Keep the cage clean. Bedding and droppings can easily become entangled into the fur. Guinea pigs tend to make a great mess, so it's recommended to spot clean every day and perform a deep clean every week. Simply picking up the droppings will help a lot.
5
Avoid frequent baths. Baths tend to strip your guinea pig from their natural oils, creating dry and irritated skin. In general, guinea pigs only required baths 1-2 times a year. Keeping their cage clean will eliminate most of the odors.

Community Q&A

Question

How do you trim an Abyssinian guinea pig?

Amy Harrison

Top Answerer

Abyssinian are short-hair guinea pigs breeds, therefore do not necessarily require trimming. Brush their fur with a soft-bristled brush every other day, and trim towards the tops of the fur.