We all love our furry friends. But, as the proud owner of a pet, you must be thinking about whether or not you could bathe your guinea pig?
Guinea pigs are very clean creatures, so consider yourself a lucky owner! You only have to bathe a guinea pig if it is necessary.
We will tell you all that you need to know about how often you can bathe a guinea pig and details about what you can use to give them their baths. Consider this your essential guide to a clean and happy guinea pig.
Can you bathe a guinea pig?
Since guinea pigs keep themselves clean, you do not need to bathe them unless it is necessary. If they have an infection, you will have to bathe them.
So, before you decide to bathe your guinea pig, you must see that it is out of necessity; bathing a guinea pig otherwise would cause it immense distress, which can lead to illness or death. It’s important to be discerning and aware when deciding to give your furry friend a little scrub.
At what age can you bathe a guinea pig?
Indeed, age is just a number. However, it is a significant number when bathing a guinea pig; young guinea pigs under six months old should never get a bath. The same rule applies to pregnant guinea pigs and guinea pigs that may be down with a respiratory infection.
How often do you bathe a guinea pig?
You may only bathe a guinea pig if it is suffering from an infection or if there is a dire need. Since guinea pigs groom themselves throughout the day, they do not need to be bathed unless the circumstance calls for it.
If your baby has long hair, the matter calls for something slightly different. To maintain their coats, guinea pigs need to take a bath every three to four months.
Can I bathe My guinea pig with just water?
Apart from keeping themselves well-groomed, guinea pigs are low maintenance for the products you need to bathe them. What does that mean? It means that you can bathe your furball pig with only water!
It is best to ensure that the water is either lukewarm or slightly warm. Do not use hot water. It is best to not bathe a guinea pig with soap or shampoo, as such products rob their skin of healthy oils.
What’s the best soap to wash my guinea pig?
You may use a shampoo that is guinea pig friendly. Only a few drops of the product are needed for a bath, and you must make sure to mix it with water before you massage it onto your guinea pig’s fur.
Being gentle is the key! The softer you are, the more reassured and relaxed a guinea pig will be. Also, you must make sure the shampoo is not being applied near the guinea pig’s ears or face.
Guinea pig needs a bath – How do I know?
Guinea pigs should be given a bath only when it is necessary. When it comes to certain illnesses, your vet may recommend that you bathe a guinea pig. Certain illnesses that call for a bath are parasites or fungal infections. If a guinea pig is healthy, you do not need to bathe it. If a guinea pig’s fur is very dirty, you may wipe it gently with a damp cloth instead of opting for a bath.
How to Give Guinea Pig a Bath – A Step by Step Guide
The time has come for us to tell you how to bathe a guinea pig, step by step!
The bathtub will be required so that you can place your pet in it, and a bowl will be necessary for rinsing a guinea pig. Use a small bathtub to have more control over your pet’s movements during bath time.
The water you use must be lukewarm or warm. Now fill the water to the belly of a guinea pig so that there is no risk of drowning.
Now let’s talk about the shampoo!
It gets a bit technical because you have to be discerning when choosing a guinea pig-friendly shampoo. Choose the shampoo accordingly, as there are specific shampoos to remove excess dirt and get rid of infections or ticks.
Guinea pigs can be stressed out when bath time starts. Being gentle with them and giving them a treat right before bath time can help relax them.
Before putting a guinea pig in the bathtub, you may wipe it with a cloth to remove any dust. Avoid their ears, eyes, mouth, and nose. Use your hands to rinse their fur with water.
You may apply a few drops of guinea pig-friendly shampoo to the palm of your hand and then massage it gently. Once you are done, rinse the shampoo thoroughly with clean water.
Place the guinea pig in a clean and small towel and gently dry their fur. You may also brush the fur, so there are no tangles. Take your time with the drying and the brushing, as gentler movements will keep your guinea pig calm and stress-free.
FAQs
What can you use to wash a guinea pig?
You may use guinea pig-friendly shampoo specific to the purpose you require it (i.e., parasite removal, excess dirt removal, tick removal).
Can you bathe a guinea pig with Dish soap?
It is not good to bathe guinea pigs with dish soap, as the chemicals used in dish soaps are too harsh for their skin. Instead, it is best to use guinea pig-friendly soap or shampoo.
Can you bathe a guinea pig with human shampoo?
Nope. Human shampoo is unfit for guinea pigs.
Is shivering after a bath a normal thing?
The best thing to do if a guinea pig shivers after a shower is to make sure it feels warm and comfortable. You must dry them gently but thoroughly and make sure you make them feel safe.
Conclusion
Voila! You are finally well versed with the essentials regarding bathing guinea pigs. We reckon that you are now an expert on the subject! We hope that this guide was helpful and that you and your little friend are clean, stress-free, and happy.