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Do Guinea Pigs Shed? How Much & How Often (Vet-Verified Info)

Beth Crane

By Beth Crane

 

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Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Luqman Javed

DVM (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Guinea pigs, or cavies, are the South American pets that captured the hearts of many animal lovers worldwide. These hairy rodents come in different breeds; some have long flowing coats, and some have none! All guinea pigs shed their fur in larger amounts, usually around twice a year. However, guinea pigs will shed a small amount of hair year-round, so grooming is needed to keep them comfortable.

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What Guinea Pigs Shed?

All breeds of cavy will shed hair. Hair loss is a natural process that keeps their coats in the best condition possible. Even hairless guinea pigs (affectionately called “skinny pigs”) will shed some of the soft, fine, downy hair that covers their bodies. Long-haired breeds, such as the Peruvian, texel, or silky guinea pigs, can shed more than shorter-haired breeds, but all cavies will shed their hair at some point.

Why Do Guinea Pigs Shed Their Fur?

Shedding is a normal and beneficial process that most haired mammals go through. Shedding can be in response to different stimuli, such as changes in temperature and the seasons or hormonal changes like pregnancy. Genetics play a part in how much an individual guinea pig might shed, as there can be changes to how long each one of the four main “phases” of hair cycle lasts in each cavy.

The Hair Cycle Phases
  • Anagen: This is when your guinea pig’s fur grows.
  • Catagen: This is when your guinea pig’s fur regresses (stops growing from the follicle).
  • Telogen: This is when your guinea pig’s fur is in “rest” (it doesn’t grow or shed).
  • Exogen: This is when your guinea pig’s fur sheds.

This cycle can be triggered by many normal processes in guinea pigs, including seasonal changes, pregnancy, or weaning.

Other times, guinea pigs can shed their hair for medical reasons. For example, alopecia (abnormal hair loss) is associated with certain tumors, behavioral issues, and stress in guinea pigs.

guinea pig in cage
Image by: holandan, Pixabay

How Much Do Guinea Pigs Shed? How Often?

Guinea pigs will likely shed a few hairs a day. Even long-haired guinea pigs will shed, but the breed depends on how often and how much their larger shedding periods may be. For example, many guinea pigs shed more in the spring and fall as their coats prepare for the temperature change. In the fall, the lighter spring coat will shed out and be replaced by a denser coat to protect it from the cold of winter.

In the spring, this dense coat will fall out to be replaced with a lighter one for summer. Not all guinea pigs will have a defined shedding season, but most will shed noticeably more often during these periods. However, it can be difficult to tell when this is happening if you stay in a non-seasonal location (such as a tropical country).

It's essential to brush your guinea pigs while they're shedding. You'll likely notice clumps of old fur stuck in your cavy’s coat during their molt, which can trap heat and make it harder for them to cool off. By brushing them daily during this time, you can pull out this fur and help to keep them comfortable.

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What Can Cause Excess Shedding in Guinea Pigs?

Shedding is a normal part of coat maintenance for guinea pigs. Most guinea pigs will shed seasonally twice a year and lose a small amount of fur daily. However, some guinea pigs may seem to lose more than just a few hairs and may even end up with bald spots!

Alopecia, or the absence of hair where hair should be, is a problem that can be caused by many underlying issues.Common reasons for alopecia in guinea pigs include:

  • Self-barbering/being barbered by another cavy
  • Mites or other skin parasites
  • Fungal infections of the skin
  • Pregnancy-related changes
  • Ovarian cysts (in older females)
  • Vitamin C deficiency (may lead to scurvy)

guinea pig side view
Image Credit: Katya36, Pixabay

Vitamin C and Alopecia

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for guinea pigs. Like humans, they cannot make it in their bodies themselves, so they must have it supplemented in their diet. A major cause of excess hair loss in guinea pigs is a lack of vitamin C (scurvy), which can also cause other signs such as excessive bruising, crusts and lesions on the skin, pain, and stiffness.

It can even be fatal if not treated effectively! Alopecia is often the first sign, so if your guinea pigs seem to be shedding a lot and you see bald spots, take them in to see your vet as soon as possible for an exam.

How Can I Stop My Guinea Pig From Shedding So Much?

The amount of fur guinea pigs shed should be minimal outside of their shedding seasons. If you feel your guinea pigs are shedding excessively or more than normal, we advise you to take them to your vet for a check-up. Assuming they have a clean bill of health, the best way to manage shedding is to groom them more regularly. Guinea pigs that are used to being groomed often enjoy it, and it can present a good chance to bond and remove loose fur. It’s best to use a brush that's suitable for small pets.

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Final Thoughts

Guinea Pigs are (normally) covered in coarse or flowing fur. Like most mammals, this hair has its own "life cycle" that helps it grow to a certain length, stay for a certain time, and fall out. Guinea Pigs shed daily but only lose a small amount of hair. Some breeds of Guinea Pigs (particularly short-haired breeds) will have shedding seasons where more fur than usual falls from the coat.

These usually occur in spring and fall to prepare the guinea Pig for the temperature change. However, Guinea pigs should never lose hair to the point of thinning or baldness. If this happens, there's likely something else going on that should be checked by your vet.


Featured Image Credit: Tettania, Shutterstock

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