Guinea Pig Hair Loss: Mites, Fungus, or Barbering

Start with the pattern

• •Frantic scratching, screaming when touched, crusty skin on the back and rump, this is classic mange mites
• •Circular bald patches with flaky skin, often starting on the face or ears, this points to ringworm, a fungus
• •Neat bald patches with short stubble and no itching, this is barbering, chewing by a cagemate or the pig itself
• •Thinning over the flanks in an older sow, often linked to ovarian cysts
• •General seasonal shedding with healthy skin underneath, which is normal

Mites are painful and need treatment

Sarcoptic mites burrow into the skin and cause intense itching. Severely affected guinea pigs can have seizures from the pain. Mites often flare when a pig is stressed or unwell, so a bad outbreak sometimes signals another underlying problem.

Treatment is a prescribed ivermectin based product, usually repeated after a week or two. Pet shop sprays and shampoos rarely clear an infestation on their own.

Ringworm spreads to people

Ringworm is a fungal infection, not a worm. It transmits to other pets and to humans, so wash your hands after handling, wear gloves if you can, and keep the affected pig separate while treating.

A vet confirms it with a sample and prescribes an antifungal cream or oral treatment. The cage, bedding, hides, and brushes all need thorough cleaning.

Barbering

If fur is chewed short rather than lost, look for boredom, crowding, competition for hay, or a dominant cagemate. More floor space, more hay to forage in, and extra hides usually settle it. A pig that barbers itself may be in pain, so rule out illness first.

Do not wait it out

Skin problems in guinea pigs rarely resolve alone and get more painful the longer they run. Photograph the patch and show it to an exotic vet. The Wheeky Identifier app can help you narrow down which of these patterns you are looking at before the appointment.