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Long-haired guinea pig care – brushing, preventing tangles & hygiene
Long-haired guinea pigs are beautiful, but they require a bit more routine: regular brushing, preventing tangles, and extra attention to a dry, clean substrate. On this page, you'll find a practical approach and shopping links for care products and bedding that are useful for long-haired guinea pigs. DRD Rodent Shop® has been a specialist since 2011.
1) Care routine (short and achievable)
- 2–4× per week: short brush check (2–5 minutes).
- Daily: check whether the hindquarters are dry and clean.
- Weekly: major check + extra cleaning of the enclosure (pee area).
2) Brushing: how to do it
- Work on a towel (grip and rest).
- Start with the back and sides, then move on to the belly/hindquarters.
- Brush in short, manageable sections; stop if your guinea pig becomes restless.
Care products can be found at: guinea pig care .
3) Prevent tangles (hot spots)
Tangles often occur in places where there is friction or moisture:
- Under the chin/chest (for “spills” or wet spots).
- Armpits and sides (friction when walking).
- Belly and hindquarters (contact with the ground and urinary area).
Tip: Maintain a designated pee zone (see below). This prevents long hair from constantly hanging in wet areas.
4) Hygiene around the hindquarters
- Check daily whether the hindquarters are dry.
- Replace wet mats or bedding immediately.
- Wash textiles (cushions/baskets/hammocks) regularly and allow to dry completely.
Handy: cleaning products and cushions & baskets .
5) Bedding & pee pads for long-haired cats
Long hair stays looking its best on a dry, clean surface. Therefore, work with "zones": a toilet/pee area that you clean more often, and a dry resting area with clean cushions.
- Pee zone: urinal or toilet bowl in a fixed corner.
- Dry zone: absorbent bedding and clean resting place.
Shop: ground coverings , ground mats & pee mats and toilets .
- Brush briefly 2–4 times a week; check hot spots extra.
- Check hindquarters daily for wet/dirty conditions.
- Fixed urinal area with pee mat/toilet tray and more frequent changing.
- Wash textiles and dry completely.
- Dry resting place with clean cushions/baskets.
- Work slowly and in short bursts; stop if your guinea pig becomes restless.
- Only use care products that are suitable for guinea pigs.
- Keep the enclosure dry and replace wet parts immediately.
How often should I brush a long-haired guinea pig?
This varies by coat, but a short brushing 2–4 times a week is a practical guideline. Hot spots can be checked more often.
My guinea pig has mats around its hindquarters. What can help?
A dry pee area (toilet tray or pee mat) and more frequent spot cleaning often helps enormously, because the hair gets less wet.
What type of ground cover is useful for long hair?
Choose a dry, absorbent base and combine it with pee pads in designated areas. This will keep the coat cleaner.
More guinea pig selection help: guinea pig information . Background information: LICG .
Would you like us to help you with ground cover or maintenance? Then check out our service page .
