Creature feature | PETS
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bodies, though their coats do not naturally
part along their backs.
GROOMING
Unlike shorter-haired guinea pig breeds,
the long-haired Sheltie is high-maintenance
when it comes to grooming and it is key to
their continued health and wellbeing. As they
don’t love being groomed, it’s a great idea
to get them used to daily brushing from the
beginning. Use a soft-bristled brush to remove
loose hair without pulling at their coat, brushing
in the same direction the hair grows. Any matts
can be removed carefully with scissors or
brushed out using a comb. You will need to be
very gentle when grooming a Sheltie as they
have delicate bodies and any injuries or pain
will make them frightened and stressed when it
comes to future grooming. Take extra care when
grooming around and behind their shoulders as
they are especially sensitive in that spot.
As well as daily brushing, trimming the hair is
a weekly part of keeping Shelties well-groomed.
Trimming keeps them hygienic and stops them
from becoming smelly. It’s especially important
to trim as much hair as you can around their
bottoms, more importantly with males. As well as
creating a tangled mess of matts that can roll and
pull at their skin or restrict their movement, lack
of grooming can cause urinary tract infections
(UTIs), which can occur from the bacteria that
develop when their longer hair drags through or
soaks into faeces, urine or water in their enclosure.
HOUSING
Cavies, including Shelties, need plenty of space
to roam, so aim for a minimum of seven-and-
a-half square feet (approximately 83.5cm) per
guinea pig. They are territorial creatures, so
the more room the better if you’re housing
multiple males. They need plenty of exercise
to stay mentally and physically healthy so, as
well as plenty of space, provide enough toys,
tunnels and other entertainment elements to
keep them happy. They also need access to
their humans, so ensure their cage is in a spot
where they can stay part of the action. A cavy
in a dark corner is an unhappy cavy.
Their cages can get whiff y, so regular
cleaning is important. Spot clean bedding and
the cage fl oor daily — this involves removing
soiled hay, bedding and faeces with a dustpan.
A thorough clean should be carried out once
a week. This involves removing everything,
washing toys and feeding container, as well as
the enclosure itself thoroughly with a mix of
white vinegar, liquid soap and hot water.DIET
Shelties should be given unlimited access to
grass hay. In addition, they can have a quarter
of a cup of high-quality plain pellets per day,
along with a cup of fresh leafy greens. Guinea
pigs have a low sugar tolerance, so take care
not to overdo the grains, muesli or mixes with
high amounts of molasses, and stick to a small
serve of fruit once a week. They do require
50–100mg of vitamin C per day, which they can
get from vegies or a pellet with added vitamin
C (avoid mixes with coloured pellets as they are
usually higher in sugar).
Last but not least, guinea pigs do not sweat
to cool themselves, and longhairs are even more
susceptible to heat stroke. This means that, in
addition to giving them access to plenty of cool,
shady spots, they will need at least 40–80mL
of water per day to stay hydrated. Adding ice
cubes to their shelter is another great way to
keep them cool in summer.The Sheltie is a long-haired guinea pig with style!Grooming:
Size: Small
Weight: 900–1200g for a male,
700–900g for a female
Lifespan: Five to six years
Cost: $50At a Glance