Leeash Cavies Grooming

***Showing & Show Preparation Page***


Why do you Breed & Show Guinea Pigs?????
That is the question we probably all get from time to time..
My response is Why Not..(that always gets a funny look :0))
O.k you have your first show coming up what do you need to do to have your Cavy ready for the big Debut??

The first thing is to enter your cavy before show day if you can..If you don't have an entry form you can contact the N.S.W Cavy Show secretrary or Print 1 from here...FORM... & your 1999 Show Schedual Then post to the Show Entries Delegate a least 2 weeks prior to the show....Addresses can be obtain if you email me with the show you are entering :)

Your cavy must be fit & in good health to show..
OK grooming..well I read a lot of articles talked to breeders & was shown the grooming technique several times till it sunk in...Then over the months I developed my own way I was comfortable with..
Most breeders use the thumb & pointer finger,working from the rump to the head in the direction that the fur runs..(This is for self cavies)You place the pointer finger under the coat & use the thumb to roll over the top & pull the guard hairs out..I also dampen the hand I'm working with to help manage the hair..This is the way to do it just takes practice..:0)


REX: the rex is a little different..You do much the same but against the coat!?? Face the cavies head away from you a groom from the rump to the head...(stripping) I do this only sparingly..Then using a table at eye height & wow look at those guard hairs...Very patiently pluck them out...Always brush your rex in an upward motion NEVER brush the coat flat..or you can grasp the fur between your thumb & pointer fingers & pluck everthing above the finger line..I actually use all 3 ways to get my REX ready..In the order I had said
1 a quick once over with the stripping method
2 eye level plucking
3 the spit & polish..gather the fur & find those hairs that got away..

Clip & clean the Nails

Clean the ears..I use OTODERM (an ear cleaner)from the vets & a cotton bud..

Bath your cavy in a lice rinse..We use FIDOS FREE ITCH
REX need to be bathed at least a month before the show..
Whites we bath 2 days before the show..with Farnhams Bright & White..we have found this to be the best..
Boars need to have their Grease Gland cleaned as well..Use a soft tooth brush & eucalyptus oil or Tea Tree oil & brush til clean..Then a wash with shampoo to rinse off the oil..
Well thats it..Have your show cage clean & ready & BEST OF LUCK..But if you don't win make sure you have fun & ENJOY it

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