How to Stop a Guinea Pig From Shedding

Guinea pigs are lovely pets, but they can shed and leave your home in a mess. Follow these steps to prevent excessive shedding.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Ivermectin
• A clean habitat
• Metal greyhound comb

Health Care

1. Watch for signs of parasites. The most common guinea pig parasite is the mange mite. This mite can cause pain and shedding.
2. Treat guinea pig parasites as soon as possible with Ivermectin to stop shedding.
3. Check for signs of a fungal infection which also often cause shedding. Patchy, itchy areas of hair loss on the face are often the first sign of fungal infections.
4. Prevent fungus infections (and the associated shedding) by treating infection-causing parasites promptly and keeping the humidity in the guinea pig's habitat low.
5. Disinfect the guinea pig's habitat periodically. Fungus spores may be inactive for years and then become active without warning, causing shedding to reoccur.
6. Visit your veterinarian for prompt diagnosis and treatment of any infection. This should also stop the shedding.

Daily Care

7. Brush your guinea pig with a metal greyhound comb daily to reduce shedding and remove loose hair.
8. Include Vitamin C in your guinea pig's diet; 10 to 30 mg/kg per day is the most effective dosage for the prevention of shedding in the average guinea pig.
9. Include sufficient protein in your guinea pig's diet. A diet less than 15 percent protein may cause shedding.
10. Bathe your guinea pig once a month to prevent shedding. Place a small towel on the bottom of the sink (decrease slipperiness) and fill the sink with warm water. Using a gentle soap, wash your guinea pig and dry him with a soft towel.