Questions about giving my Guinea Pig a bath?

Question

I have a guinea pig, about 6 months old. It's a female named Peanut!
I would like to give it a bath, or let it just swim in low level water. Should I use soap, shampoo, or nothing at all? Cold, Medium or Hot water? Is it a good idea to bathe your guinea pigs?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Guinea pigs keep themselves quite clean if given half a chance. It is not a good idea to wash one except in the rare case that it smells or is quite dirty. It is a rare pig that allows itself to get to that point unless its owner forces it to by failing in cage sanitation. If you have a short haired breed and you keep the cage clean, it is entirely possible that you will not ever need to give it a bath. Brushing the coat with a natural bristle brush also helps a guinea pig stay clean and is perfectly safe, unlike bathing. Bathing, even with the mildest of shampoos strips oil from the coat and dries the skin which isn't desirable! Therefore bathe only on need and never by the calendar.



If you need to bathe your animal, use generic (store brand) baby shampoo. It is cheaper than Johnson & Johnson' and exactly the same stuff. It is also pretty much the same stuff as the outrageously over priced specialty guinea pig shampoo that you buy at the pet shop. The big difference is that the pet shampoo has fragrance which you don't really want or need.



We raise Peruvians which are long coated and need to be bathed periodically. We use a 2 basin sink with a spray attachment. We put about 1/2 inch of warm (not hot) water in one of the basins and add about a teaspoon of shampoo. We then put in the pig and work the water through its underside and rump area. This is generally the dirtiest area. We drain this water and dampen the coat and add shampoo and work up a lather. We then rinse using the spray attachment held close to the animal's body. This seems to bother them less than water from the faucet or poured over then from a cup and gets a lot of rinse action. Rinse until all the shampoo is gone and then rinse some more. Blot the pig dry with a cloth towel and then finish the job with a hair drier set on low temperature/. The ideal drier has a high flow low warmth setting. Always keep your hand between the drier and the pig. If it gets too hot for your hand, it is too hot for the pig!



Make sure the pig is thoroughly dry before you put it back into a clean cage.



Never, I repeat, NEVER use any of the grooming sprays/dry shampoos/wipes that the pet shops push. The residue on the coat gets licked by the pigs and isn't great for them.

Answer 2

You shouldn't even have to bathe your guinea pig. They are similar to cats in that they give themselves a bath (with their tongues). But if you are going to give your piggie a bath, start with lukewarm water (not hot, not cold-- just right) and low level water. If it drowns because you put him in a full bathtub, don't be surprised-- they can't swim. As for products I would say you could use either a super gentle baby shampoo like Johnsons or even an organic one by Burts Bees. No soap-- it is way too drying. Shampoo is the way to go.



Have a great day and good luck with your piggy :)

Answer 3

That is such an awesome name :D



If you are bathing it, then, either baby shampoo, or special Guinea Pig shampoo would be a good idea, but not mandatory. Warm water will be good, but make sure it isn't too hot. And, Bathing Peanut is a good idea. But, only every 2 months or so :D



Also, remember to compleatly dry Peanut after her bath :D

Answer 4

I give my guinea pigs a bath about once a month. Warm water and johnson johnson should do it. Just be sure they are completly dried before putting them back in their cage (you wouldn't want them catching any colds).

Answer 5

do not bathe it unless it has stains on its stomache/ chin. it is unnecessary. use rodent soap from your local pet store. fill the tub up about 2/3 cm and put a towel in the bottom as a grip. DO NOT LET IT SWIM. it is stupid and not good for your guinea pig. come on... its not a puppy! have the water warm. and use the soap to gently rub its STOMACH ONLY or chin...which ever has stains...

Answer 6

Go to your local pet store and buy pet shampoo its special for pets so it won't hurt them and its up to you if you want to give him a bath.