A short-haired guinea pig whose cage is properly cleaned shouldn't ever need a bath. Long-haired pigs are another story. Breeds such as the Peruvian guinea pig have stunning tresses that can grow up to 20 inches long. These cavies need to be groomed every single day with a brush. They may also need a bath with shampoo and de-tangler every three to four months to prevent messy mats around their butts. Fancy long-hair or curly-hair pigs with fur less than 3 inches long do not usually need baths but should be brushed every few days.
Guinea pigs do need to be washed if they catch a fungal or parasite infection. Guinea pigs can catch rodent lice and mange mites. They may also suffer from cat, dog and rodent fleas. You'll be able to see fleas, but most lice, mite and fungal infestations require a veterinary diagnosis. If your unfortunate pet has caught any of these pests, your vet will prescribe or recommend medicated shampoos and guide you through the bathing process. She may give your pig topical, oral or injected medication.
Show cavies are usually bathed before each event. If you and your guinea pig participate in a cavy show club, your organization will usually provide grooming requirements and recommendations for shows. A guinea pig will groom itself numerous times a day often after eating vegetables or after burrowing through grass hay.
The guidelines below will help in preparing a safe and secure area to ensure bathing is as stress free as possible. Please note: Long haired guinea pigs will require daily grooming and bathing every 3 to 4 months to maintain the condition of their coats and ensure that it does not become matted. What you will need Shampoo: Always choose a small animal shampoo to ensure your cavies skin does not dry out or become irritated.
A soap and chemical free, all natural shampoo is considered best. In Australia we have numerous animal shampoos available. Towels: One to two towels. Two towels will come in handy as some owners like to massage the shampoo on their cavy whilst they are placed on the towel instead of in the bathing area. Plastic Jug: Luke warm water can be gently poured with ease if a hand held jug or container is used.
Mission accomplished! Maybe wait a few days before pedicures to stay on his good side. Your fresh, soft guinea pig may work on getting his natural hay scent back in retaliation as quickly as possible. While that's nothing to worry about, a true stench isn't normal. Rather than frequent bathing, look at the source of the smell. Guinea pigs love to play, sleep, eat, and potty in a big pile of lush hay. If the wet hay aroma isn't your cup of tea, buy in bulk so you can toss daily and replace guilt-free.
Rearranging the cage to create a "kitchen" area will keep most waste around the water bottle and food and out of sleeping areas. Frequent cage cleanings will help, too. Are you spot cleaning daily and changing a high-quality, absorbent bedding regularly? Long-haired breeds of guinea pigs will benefit from regular trims. Not only will this prevent tangled, matted fur, but it will eliminate the source of most odor.
These beauty kings seem to think urine spray is the next biggest thing in leave-in treatments. If his definition of "just a trim" and yours differs, compromise with booty baths. You can cut down on the frequency of full baths by just washing the area that needs it most. Odor can be a sign of some medical problems. Bad breath, sprig of parsley or not, isn't normal. Smell from the mouth can be a sign of dental complications from overgrown back molars. A stinky back end can signify the start of impaction, especially in the fellas.
Check your smelly guinea pig thoroughly for other signs of infection, and always ask your vet if you have concerns. Gerbil Sand Baths. Chinchilla Dust Baths. Don't Bathe the Bunnies. You can buy from Small Pet Select anywhere in the world! To get the best service, choose the store closest to you:. Customer Service
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