How often do I need to bathe my guinea pig?

Not as often as a lot of sources would lead you to believe. If your pet gets into something messy, his or her hair looks dirty, or he or she is having a problem with mites – then it is time for a bath. Try not to bathe your guinea pig more often than every few months as the act of bathing can be shocking to their systems. Stressful events can actually lead to a lower immune system making your pet more susceptible to a variety of health problems.

What Supplies Do I Need?

First you will need an improvised bath tub or tubs. This can be any unbreakable tub or large bowl that will comfortably fit one guinea pig, a couple inches of water, and can later be easily washed clean. Tubs for washing dishes work well and easily fit in most sinks. Next you will need some kind of mild shampoo or if treating a specific condition, a medicated shampoo provided by your veterinarian. You will also need towels and possibly a comb or brush if you need to remove solid material.

The Bath

With your furry friend in one hand, gently lower him into the basin. Saturate his entire with water and then add shampoo. Work the shampoo into your guinea pig’s coat making sure not to miss the ears as this can be a common hiding location for mites. Carefully rinse all traces of shampoo from your furry friend. Repeat if necessary. Place your guinea pig in the middle of a towel and wrap him up, leaving just the head exposed. Your pet will find being wet cold and uncomfortable so you will want to keep him wrapped and warm until his fur is mostly dry. For this reason it is a good idea to try to limit baths to days with warmer weather.

Can I Use a Hair Drier?

Many sources recommend against it as the air coming from the hair drier can be too warm and hurt your guinea pig if you are not careful. If you do wish to try using a hair drier, keep the temperature settings on low and see how your pet reacts. Just like when you blow dry your own hair, keep the nozzle moving and avoid areas without fur – like ears.

Conclusion

After your guinea pig’s hair has dried, brush carefully through it to remove any tangles. Now is also a good time to think about trimming nails as they can be softer. Lastly, if you have not cleaned your guinea pig’s cage, now would be a good time to do so as you do not want to undo all of your hard work.

Amanda is a lifelong guinea pig lover. For more great guinea pig information, visit http://www.guineapigresource.com/guinea-pig-grooming/