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About Nicole Bury
Expertise
I can answer every question anyone has! I am always willing to hit the books for other owners! I and my husband between me have 6 guinea pigs and one expecting, that we intend to keep 2 of. I can help with idle questions, everyday problems to serious health problems but I always sugget seeing a vet!

Experience
I have had 14 guinea pigs in my life with more to come. I have volunteered at the local shelter just to work with the small animals on a weekly basis and I have been to countless vets to soak up there advice, as well as looking in my 50 something books on guinea pigs. I know almost everything I can wrap my head around about guinea pigs! Sometimes my husband, who is an exotic bird vet/guinea pig fanatic helps me with the questions to!

Organizations
I belong to S.A.R.S. BC. It stands for Small Animal Rescue Shelter.

Publications
The Vancouver sun.

Education/Credentials
I have taken community courses for pet care, including small animals, but I have not been to school formal education (I am not a vet). Currently I am in the process of becoming a published author and I have my degree in creative writing. Someday I will have my masters. I teach local classes for advanced creative writing and literature for teens.

Awards and Honors
I have had my writing published in the paper for the fourtenth time about animal pet care facts. Nothing big, just me and a few other writers.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Exotic Pets > Guinea Pigs > Guinea Pig's fur

Guinea Pigs - Guinea Pig's fur

Expert: Nicole Bury - 11/8/2009

Question
Hello,
I had just recently adopted a male guinea pig from a friend that did not take care of him very well. I supply Eddie with pellets, fresh apples %26 carrots, bedding, water from a water bottle containing vitamin drops, %26 excercising by letting him run in my living room.
Ever since i got him, i noticed he does'nt look as normal as other guinea pigs. His fur looks like it's shedding, but i don't know if guinea pigs shed. it's been about 4-7 weeks since i had him, his fur i still loose. every time i pet him or pick him up his fur falls off. When i'm done bathing him, the drain is covered with fur! how can i reduce the fur-loosing and keep his fur healthy ? you sound like a total expert, can you tell me what kinds of products i can use that'll work best ?
Thanks so much !
-13yr-old Ranny N.

Answer
Hello Ranny!
Cool name!
It is very normal for guinea pigs to shed excessively. You cannot do any thing about this because it is there natural reaction to the stress of being touched. In the wild, guinea pigs are low on the food chain. They are eaten by many things, including people. I don't know why but handling seems to be something they are afraid of so they shed. Try wrapping him loosely like a food wrap (bottom folded up and the sides folded inward, overlapping) in a small towel. This will prevent fur-to-new-top contact and provide a safe enclosure for the piggy.
Feel free to ask me your GP questions again any time!

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