Bathing guinea pigs is a must to keep their coat and skin healthy. Pet guinea pigs need to be bathed only every six months or so, as they do keep themselves groomed. Bathing them won't make them sick, and they won't fight the process so long as you look after their comfort.
Drawing a Bath for Your Guinea Pig
The best place to bathe a guinea pig is in the kitchen or bathroom sink. Fill the bottom of the sink with about two inches of lukewarm water, even if you have a large guinea pig. Test the temperature of the water with your elbow. It should not be too hot or too cold.
Never use shampoo formulated for humans on a guinea pig, as their skin pH is different from human skin pH. Shampoos formulated for humans can cause skin irritation. Use a shampoo specially formulated for guinea pigs or rabbits. Some recommended shampoos include Bunny Bath by Four Paws, Hylyt Hypoallergenic Shampoo or Epi-Soothe Shampoo that is formulated for itchiness and dry skin in dogs and cats.
Bathing Your Guinea Pig
Simply wet the guinea pig, rub in the shampoo and rinse. Keep all shampoos away from the guinea pig's face and ears. Avoid getting water in their ears, too, as this causes discomfort. You can gently hold down the ear flaps while rinsing to keep water out of the ear canals.
Wrap the guinea pig in a bath towel to soak up any extra water. After all the extra water is soaked up, set a blow dryer in a warm setting to blow dry the guinea pig. Keep the blow dryer at least several inches away from the guinea pig so that it doesn't burn its skin. Keep the blow dryer away from the guinea pig's face, so that you don't injure its eyes. Use a low speed on the blow dryer so you don't frighten your pig.
Guinea pigs have a grease gland just above where their tails would be. There are several products that can be used to clean the grease glands, including Dawn dishwashing detergent. Apply with a q-tip and rub gently, then rinse the area thoroughly.
You can also apply Neosporin, but do not put the guinea pig down, as it will try to lick the area. Hold it for about 10 minutes, then remove the ointment and grease with Dawn dishwashing detergent. Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Coconut Oil and mineral oil also work for cleaning the grease glands. Be sure to always clean and rinse the area thoroughly so that the guinea pig does not ingest these products.
 | Wondering what do guinea pigs eat? Pellets at the pet store are a start, but complete nutrition includes fresh vegetables and a regular source of Vitamin C. |
 | Why do guinea pigs squeak? As social animals, squeaks are an important form of communication. Guinea pigs have even learned a special squeak for humans. |
 | Caring for guinea pigs means more than just sticking them in a cage and feeding them. Learn how to choose the right cage, keep it clean and feed them a balanced diet. |
A nutritious guinea pig diet begins with plenty of fresh water, hay and food pellets. From there, you'll need to choose fruits and vegetables carefully and make sure your pig gets plenty of Vitamin C. |
To build a guinea pig cage, you need to make sure the pig can't chew at any wood elements. This design features a chicken-wire covering to prevent gnawing. |
