My daughter just got lice, is it possible my guinea pig has it also? ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/guinea_pigs/guinea_pig_health/how_to_bathe_them, https://www.petco.com/content/petco/PetcoStore/en_US/pet-services/resource-center/caresheets/guinea-pig.html, https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/pet-advice/can-i-give-my-guinea-pigs-a-bath.html, https://animals.mom.me/mean-guinea-pigs-vibrate-10316.html, https://lafeber.com/mammals/tips-for-grooming-your-guinea-pig/, https://www.aaha.org/pet_owner/pet_health_library/other/general_health/guinea_pig_care.aspx, https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/small-pets/the-ideal-home-for-your-guinea-pig, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Use a light hand so you don't tug or snag the brush on its fur. Clean your guinea pig when it is unusually dirty or has medical needs. Then choose where you will give your piggy a bath, in a sink or bathtub. Gently pour warm water on the guinea pig's back, or use slow-flowing, warm water from the faucet. Long-haired guinea pigs might require daily brushing, depending on the length and thickness of their coat. But our personal favorite is this small and affordable guinea pig brush. Thank, "This explicit video helped me because I became heir to squeaky to care for, which turned into an adoption. ", They're not fixed, so that is why I came to your site. Move our guinea pig to a safe, enclosed space outside of its cage. Guinea pig's skin is very sensitive so you need to use gentle shampoo on it so it doesn't dry out. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. If you feed them small bits of their favorite treat during the bath, it will sooth and calm them. Let’s start with bathing. If your guinea pig is acting jumpy, set it in a small box and carry the box to the bathing area. Placing their feet in the warm water first can help them get used to the idea. Try placing a rolled towel underneath the container so it’s at a 15- to 30-degree angle to help move water away from the guinea pig’s face. But crucial nonetheless. That’s where you come in. Just enough to soak into the washcloth and provide a comfortable base layer of water. Step 1: Line the sink Line the sink or plastic tub with a towel, to prevent slipping. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'guineapighub_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_14',116,'0','0'])); Most guinea pigs might not ever even need a bath. Guinea pigs have a surprisingly good sense for routines. Having the right tools is just as important as knowing how to bathe a guinea pig.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'guineapighub_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_10',119,'0','0'])); We’ll make some recommendations, but you are free to choose your own materials so long as the whole list is checked! If the air is to hot for your hand, it is too hot for the pig! For instance, if your pet gets particularly dirty, sticky or stinky – or when a medical issue prompts your vet to instruct you on guinea pig bathing. They typically don’t fall into puddles of mud. The reason is that our goal is to clean our guinea pig with as few stressors as possible. Nor will dog or cat shampoo. Gently scoop water up from the sink and pour it over their body. Bathing your guinea pig is going to look quite a bit different from bathing a dog or even other smaller animals. If you don’t bathe your guinea pig properly, you run the risk of either frightening or harming them. Nothing too fancy here. What should I do if the hair dryer scares her? Any redness, rashes, or other suspicious signals could mean your guinea pig is ill or perhaps has a skin infection. If outdoor activity has left your guinea pig covered in a mess, then a bath might be in order. Guinea pigs aren’t big fans of change. When you think the pig is well rinsed, rinse some more! A short-haired guinea pig whose cage is properly cleaned shouldn’t ever need a bath, while long-haired pigs are another story! Second, they overheat quickly. If the towel becomes too damp, use a new dry towel so it absorbs more moisture. ", "I have two Guinea pigs so I tried the steps and it was great! ", "I never knew what kind of shampoo to use. So the more consistent your schedule, the better they’ll react to it. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Our first major tip is simply a list of supplies. – Safety &... Baby Guinea Pigs – The Owner’s Care Guide. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'guineapighub_com-netboard-1','ezslot_23',125,'0','0'])); You can break off a tiny piece of their favorite treat and let them nibble it while you grab the shampoo. Safety & Nutrition Guide, Coronet Guinea Pig: Breed Guide & Care Tips, Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cucumbers? Guinea pigs don’t need to be bathed very often, once a month at most. Lather up the body and clean their grease gland and the bum area properly. Take him to the vet! You do your best if you bath them on the floor for two particular reasons: Lower Your Guinea Pig And Rinse Allow your guinea pig to settle on the water, and make sure that their head is not submerged in it. Having this washcloth under their feet serves two purposes. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'guineapighub_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_0',131,'0','0'])); You’ll want to check for two things. Some ailments will also make a bath necessary. He's had two Americans, two Abyssinians, and one Silkie Guinea Pig. A guinea pig in a bathtub might seem too adorable to watch, especially as you rub-a-dub their little fur. You want to make sure that nothing is out of the ordinary. This article has been viewed 694,492 times. Try using. Also try to keep it to the same time of day. And two, it gives them a sense of comfort. Apply evenly. Do not use a heating pad -- the pigs have sensitive skin and that can easily burn them or make them feel uncomfortable. Now comes bath time. Bathing Guinea Pigs May 5, 2015 in Guinea Pig grooming [Auto translated] Bathe Guinea Pigs for grooming reasons is not quite elegant. Maybe clean off some eye boogers or check their coat for anything they’ve picked up outside.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'guineapighub_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_12',115,'0','0'])); Some breeds, like the Peruvian guinea pig, are going to need grooming on the daily. You need a shampoo that cleans your guinea pig without ridding off natural oils from its coat. Kaytee makes a safe and reliable guinea pig shampoo that is both gentle yet cleansing. If you’re bathing your guinea pig in a sink, you want to clean it beforehand to remove all soap residue and stains before dipping your guinea pig in the water. Now it’s time to turn them into a burrito. Pay attention to any bumps or lumps on your guinea pig's skin as you brush. Keep in mind that guinea pigs usually clean themselves naturally, so bathing them may make them stressed or sick. I am a guinea pig owner. Grooming!eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'guineapighub_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_1',129,'0','0'])); Guinea pigs take good care of themselves. You can finish off the drying with a hair drier set on low temperature. All throughout the drying, brush them periodically to make sure their fur doesn’t clump or tangle. You'll also be able to pay more attention to a single guinea pig than two at a time. That should take care of it. As with the rest of a guinea pig’s bath, the key here is to go slow and steady. Going with the flow of their fur will help get any lingering shampoo or dirt out. It could be their favorite veggie or a store-bought treat like these rice pops! My Coco loves the water. Like any animal with hair or fur, a guinea pig is vulnerable to lice. Most guinea pigs don’t like water and might get frightened, so handle them slow and gently, but firm enough so they don’t jump and potentially injure themselves. But, the time will come for a bath eventually. Because of all this, it’s important that they feel safe with you. Don't use human or dog shampoos on guinea pigs since these could irritate guinea pig skin. Yes, though it is not 100% suitable. Treats are a good way to help them make it through the experience. Tools Needed for Bathing a Guinea Pig #1 Guinea pig shampoo. If your guinea pig's face is extremely dirty, use a damp washcloth to wipe off the dirt but avoid the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. Ok, your guinea pig trusts you and is about to experience their first bath. But working from their end and slowly moving headward means you’ll be less likely to get the brush caught in any clumps. Then fill the container with about half an inch of warm water. Gently take your guinea pig out of their tub and wrap them snugly in your first towel. If your long-haired guinea pig gets very dirty around its rear, carefully trim the hair there, and if necessary, do a regular 'butt bath' - where you only wet and wash the hind regions. But there is always a chance that things could get messy. Whenever I pick up my guinea pig, it usually poops on me. Some people never bathe their guinea pigs, so it’s not absolutely necessary, but it’s a good idea to do it occasionally to keep him in tip-top shape. Always keep your hand between the drier and the pig. Whether it’s a bucket or an actual bathtub, take your washcloth and place it at the bottom. Avoid using hot water, which can dry or irritate the guinea pig's sensitive skin. If your guinea pig seems distressed in the water, offer it a treat so it develops a positive association with bath time. Avoid getting shampoo near the face and ears. Soak the guinea pig body and apply some shampoo in their body. Using dog shampoo is risky, considering it could have an anti-flea remedy in it, so don't risk it. Only reach for the second one after the first has been washed and dried. Not too tight. Safety & Nutrition, Can Guinea Pigs Live Alone? Bathing is when you bust out the suds and water. The trick is a towel and COOL AIR blow dryer combo. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bathe-a-Guinea-Pig-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Bathe-a-Guinea-Pig-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bathe-a-Guinea-Pig-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/aid234796-v4-728px-Bathe-a-Guinea-Pig-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"