Teddy Bear GuineaPigs are best known for their plush or harsh dense coat. Teddy Bear owners
looking to show should pay particular attention to coats that are dense
especially along the crown or back. The belly should have Tight C shaped curls
being that good belly curl is important. A definitive wave should also be over
the rest of the coat, as distinct ripples. The coat length should be no longer
than ¾” and even throughout.
Hair growth goes
thru many stages during the first six months. When looking at babies, you will
want to see lots of hair and very little skin, as this is called hair density.
The Teddy Bear will then go through a “fluffy stage” and then an “ugly stage”
which lasts up to 12 weeks. From that point, the adult texture and density sets
in between 5 and 6 months. Knowing how old and what stage the Guinea Pig is in
will help determine the quality of the Teddy Bear Guinea Pig.
Caring for the
coat, ears, and feet of your Teddy Bear Guinea Pig is extremely important for
their health and happiness.
A Teddy Bear
Guinea Pig coat can be described as a short, wiry, and kinky. The hair often sticks
out from the body and has a plush feel.
Grooming is accomplished by rubbing the hair backward from the rump to
the head. You will want to do this once a week.
Deep cleaning with brushes and combs will need to be done from time to
time. While you can give your Teddy Bear
a bath, be sure to use special medicated shampoo for their dry skin, and do not
bathe them more than 3 times a year.
Adding unshelled
sunflower seeds twice a week adds an oil source to their diets, which may
effectively reduce the dry skin issue.
Due to the fact
that Teddy Bear Guinea Pigs are prone to ear wax build up, it is important to
clean the ears properly and frequently. This can be accomplished with a warm, damp
washcloth. Do not drip water down into
their ears. This could lead to infection. Simply wipe inside the ear to
loosen the wax and remove it. If the wax cannot be removed this way, use
mineral oil on your cloth, and this will help with the removal. Sometimes the
Guinea Pig will screech, because he does not like having this done, it is not
usual, but be sure to be gentle when cleaning.
Since the Teddy
Bear Guinea Pig’s hair is not long like a Silkie, there is no need to trim the
hair.
Clipping toenails
is important to keep your Teddy Bear Guinea Pig happy. When trimming, use small
scissors specifically designed for trimming nails on small animals. Avoid
cutting too far back into the quick. If you do clip into the quick a stypic
pencil will stop the bleeding. Have a friend who owns Guinea Pigs show you how
to properly cut the nail your first time.
