Whether bathing or grooming your guinea pig, it’s vital that you have a bond of trust between you and your pet. In the wild, they only ever had to worry about grooming themselves on their own. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'guineapighub_com-box-3','ezslot_8',114,'0','0'])); Let’s start by noting that there is a difference between grooming and bathing your guinea pig. Guinea Pig natural oil can easily be eroded even by baby shampoo. Bathing your guinea pig is going to look quite a bit different from bathing a dog or even other smaller animals. Stay close so you can reassure your guinea pig. Or a quick look at their paws. Can I use my dog's shampoo to bathe them? This article has been viewed 694,492 times. They still won’t love it, but you can help keep their stress levels low. Learned it's safe to use hair dryer. They hate water- and in most cases they don’t need it on their fur also! Carefully avoid the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. With grooming, you can spend time bonding with your guinea pig while keeping them in good shape. Follow the step-by-step bath outline below to make sure your guinea pig’s bath goes as well as possible. ", "Did not know how to clean a guinea pig, this the best I have seen. * A guinea pig in need of a bath * A small plastic tub or clean sink * Mild puppy or baby shampoo * Two towels * A small animal comb * A hairdryer. This is useful if you have to deal with a long-haired guinea pig down the road too. If it is hard to get out, you can give them a mini-bath, using all the tips we have above for a full bath. Guinea pigs dislike water and your guinea pig might become distressed. That way the guinea pig will not be alarmed or unsettled about being too high up. You’ll need very little shampoo to effectively clean your piggy. Your guinea pig will probably become anxious or afraid if you simply place it in a container of water. They typically will never be a fan of the experience, but with the right right techniques and approach they won’t mind it too much. Not too tight. Just something to keep the tangles out and sooth your guinea pig as they dry.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'guineapighub_com-leader-4','ezslot_7',122,'0','0'])); Any small-animal brush should do the trick. It is also critical that you first set up all the materials that you will need for the bath before taking it out of the cage. Guinea pigs have very sensitive skin that can easily become irritated. Went into every step, with what not to do and how to do everything. Bathing your guinea pig is a matter of trust. Definitely talk to your vet if you have any concerns! You have to wrap the guinea pig up gently as soon as you can too. Was important to read your article because I didn't know about the shampoo. You can use water from a slow-flowing faucet, or pour water gently over your guinea pig from a container. What can i do if the fur falls out of my guinea pig? Thoroughly wet all of your pet except for its face, which it can wash itself. Clean your guinea pig when it is unusually dirty or has medical needs. Gently dry off the guinea pig with a soft towel before letting it run free. They mostly groom themselves, actually. Not only will they keep your piggy happy, but they’ll be more likely to stay put while you dry them. It could be their favorite veggie or a store-bought treat like these rice pops! Support wikiHow by Apply evenly. For a basic solution, combine 1 fluid ounce (30 mL) of bleach with 1 US quart (0.95 L) of water. ", "Thank you so much. Your guinea pig doesn’t like the cold and this will really stress them out. ", "I've never bathed a guinea pig before, and now I know how! But baths are a different matter. For ways to keep your guinea pig clean without a bath, keep reading! While on the pre-bath topic, also make sure your home is a … Below we take a look at some essential grooming tips. Now that you know how to bathe a guinea pig, try it out for yourself. Your going to need some Guinea Pig shampoo, which you can ask your exotic veterinarian for recommendations. We don’t usually recommend using a sink unless you know it is free of any chemicals. You need a shampoo that cleans your guinea pig without ridding off natural oils from its coat. As your guinea pig is drying in its towel wrap, now would be a good time for another nibble of a treat. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Also try to keep it to the same time of day. ", "I needed to wash my little piggy, and this article was the first and only one I needed. So, a treat is a good way to show them your appreciation. A short-haired guinea pig whose cage is properly cleaned shouldn’t ever need a bath, while long-haired pigs are another story! KEY TIP: Avoid getting any water in your guinea pig’s eyes or ears. If there is no particular reason just don’t to it. You need to use either special shampoo for guinea pigs or baby shampoo. It should be warm enough but not too hot. Odds are that your guinea pig will live a joyously lice-free life. Outdoor playtime usually goes smoothly. Inspect the coat of your guinea pig and see how soiled it is. When you bathe a guinea pig too much or too often, it can dry out their skin. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Instead, you place it at the bottom of the bucket, basin, or whatever object you’ve chosen to bathe them in. But if you think your guinea pig does have lice, you will need to purchase lice critter powder from your local vet clinic. 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. Step 1: Line the sink Line the sink or plastic tub with a towel, to prevent slipping. With grooming, you’re just keeping things neat. ", "Really detailed. Since guinea pigs don't use dust to clean themselves, it can actually cause respiratory problems if the guinea pigs breathe it in. Small, gentle, plastic-tipped brushes are good for piggies. Grooming, especially, can be a time for the two of you to bond. 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! You may also use cloth baby diapers or fleece as long as you change it daily use free and clear detergents when you clean them. Once your guinea pig has been rinsed, it’s time to apply the shampoo. Thank, "This explicit video helped me because I became heir to squeaky to care for, which turned into an adoption. All. Step 2 – Prepare a guinea pig for a bath. But, the time will come for a bath eventually. Take a little cup and fill it up with water. Worried I was hurting my guinea pig. crappy answers. The text of the cloth is much more reassuring to your guinea pig than the cold metal or plastic of a bucket. With the amount of dish or hand washing that most sinks see, they aren’t always the safest place for a guinea pig bath. Ok, your guinea pig trusts you and is about to experience their first bath. Maybe a gentle brushing. And, in general, guinea pigs are pretty fastidious during outdoor activities. Only bathe the guinea pig if it's absolutely necessary and never leave it unattended in the water. Guinea pigs are very delicate animals, and get hurt very easily. Bathing is stressful for guinea pigs. Watch this Howcast video to learn how to bathe your guinea pig. And if so, what can I do? All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. As long as you keep his cage clean, he should only need a bath once every 3-4 months. If they have been showing signs of stress, it’s best to postpone the bath to another chiller day. But, all guinea pigs are different. If you only need to spot clean your guinea pig, put a few drops of liquid dish soap into a small container with lukewarm water. You have to wrap the guinea pig up gently as soon as you can too. [1] X Research source If you need to bathe m… Be gentle when you're toweling, especially near the guinea pig's face. Still, there are a couple instances where you would want to give a guinea pig a bath. "Easy to follow instructions and now that I'm ready to bathe my piggy, I learned that I need specific shampoo. Comment your experiences with guinea pig baths, or if you have any additional tips on how to bathe a guinea pig, we’d love to hear them. Guinea pig’s rely heavily on smell. Still brush in the direction of their fur, of course. eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'guineapighub_com-banner-1','ezslot_15',118,'0','0'])); If it is an emergency or medical situation, then you should just go straight to bathing your guinea pig (with our tips in mind, of course). You really helped me out, now my guinea pig will smell fresh!! If you are dealing with lice, or another condition where the vet recommends bathing, then your guinea pig will need some cleaning. If you have any concerns, talk with the veterinarian. But, there is a way to keep them clean and tidy between baths. Always bathe your pigs in a warm room and use warm, shallow water. Congratulations to both you and your guinea pig. Josh has been raising guinea pigs for over a decade. While keeping your guinea pig clean is essential, excessive bathing could do more damage than good. All throughout the drying, brush them periodically to make sure their fur doesn’t clump or tangle. What if my guinea pig fell out of the bathtub and got hurt? Use a light hand so you don't tug or snag the brush on its fur. Warning: Avoid using a hair dryer on guinea pigs since they are sensitive to heat and noise. For brushing, we’ve found that starting from their tail end works best. Soak the guinea pig body and apply some shampoo in their body. Yes, you can bathe a guinea pig. KEY TIP: Keep up the small treat rewards. – Safety &... Baby Guinea Pigs – The Owner’s Care Guide. White Crested Guinea Pig | Breed Info &... Can Guinea Pigs Live Outside? Below we take a look at how to bathe a guinea pig, with tips and tricks to make sure it goes smoothly for everyone. Move our guinea pig to a safe, enclosed space outside of its cage. They’ve been soldiering on through their bath. Fortunately, if you keep your guinea pig calm, you can easily wash it with a little guinea pig shampoo and have its fur clean and dry in no time. Placing their feet in the warm water first can help them get used to the idea. Water bucket - this is where you will fill the water to about 1 inch (or 2 cm) depth to give guinea pig a bath. Drying It. Human lice cannot be given to guinea pigs, and vice versa. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. KEY TIP: Let your guinea pig have a bathroom break before bath time. Going with the flow of their fur will help get any lingering shampoo or dirt out. Grooming guinea pigs includes nail trimming, coat brushing, and occasional bathing. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. You want to make sure the water has a pleasant temperature between 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit, it shouldn’t feel cold or warm to the touch. The trick is a towel and COOL AIR blow dryer combo. An untimely bath can spell bad news for larger animals like cats and dogs so naturally, you have to be quite careful with tiny critters like guinea pigs. Take him to the vet! unlocking this expert answer. First, make sure nothing is caught in their coat. A guinea pig in a bathtub might seem too adorable to watch, especially as you rub-a-dub their little fur. By cleaning themselves and their companions, they make baths mostly superfluous. Tools Needed for Bathing a Guinea Pig #1 Guinea pig shampoo. For those rare occasions your guinea pig needs a wash, you can get the job done using a shallow bowl or pan, a few towels, and special guinea pig shampoo. And got hurt a store-bought treat like these rice pops, nose, and this article was first. Any water in your guinea pig trusts you and your pet except for its face which. Dirty or has medical needs how soiled it is free of any chemicals, there are a instances... For another nibble of a treat is a towel, to prevent slipping up with.! 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With grooming, you can too through their bath will smell fresh!... Fell out of the cloth is much more reassuring to your vet if you have to the... Well as possible brush on its fur gentle, plastic-tipped brushes are for! Coat of your pet too often, it can actually cause respiratory problems if the guinea pigs includes nail,..., email, and mouth bond of trust outline below to make sure your is... Shallow water as you can reassure your guinea pig will live a joyously lice-free life from tail! Any lingering shampoo or dirt out pigs since they are sensitive to heat and noise ``, `` this video. Them periodically to make sure nothing is caught in their body come for a bath given...