2006-08-17 03:48:09 · 10 answers · asked by theeromee 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
You can bathe them once in a while, as long as you make sure that they are thoroughly dried off afterwards.
The most important thing to do is to give them Vitamin C tablets every day or else they will get sick.
Also get them some wooden chewtoys to chew on so their teeth don't get too long.
Give them timothy hay every day and don't give them alfalfa hay because it has too much calcium and is not good for them.
2006-08-20 10:25:02 · answer #1 · answered by Crushgal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I also suggest getting a book about guinea pigs. It will be much more thorough. Anyway, about the bathing - yes. I wouldn't do it unless you are going to show, or if you really want to anyway do it every three months. Use a really gentle dish soap or shampoo. A petstore would probably have some special kind too. Use lukewarm water, maybe pour a little at a time on their body. Don't just sit their and dunk them in the water. Be considerate - and moderate! Wash all the soap out. Towel most of the water off or use a blowdryer on low. Don't wash/blow dry too much, it takes the natural oils out of their hair. We actually never washed our guinea pigs, it wasn't that big of an issue. Combing long enough hair helps a ton too. Anyway, periodically clean their cage. You probably want to wash it every 1 - 3 months. I really prefer wire cages, with plastic bottoms, and clip on tops of wire. The guinea pigs like them more, they are easier to clean, and they don't get so smelly and icky. They are more expensive, but invest in one, you'll be happy. Also, if you have a big lawn you can put the wire top on the lawn and let the guinea pigs eat grass. You'll want to get them some timothy hay in the winter and fresh greens in the summer. They love treats like carrots too. They definetly need fresh water. We always got those water bottles with the little ball in them but eventually they would drip constantly and really badly so experiment with different types. They will eat standard guinea pig pellets. You can get them at any pet store and even farm supply stores. They will also need some sort of house. Make sure it's big enough. And they need chew sticks to wear down their teeth. This is a big must! These are available at any pet store. Leave one in the cage at all times. We actually had a wooden house - which was nice, they could chew on that a bit too, along with their stick. I suggest a short hair breed if you haven't gotten one yet. They don't have all that hair to deal with. Oh- they'll need their toenails clipped periodically. Have someone hold the guinea pig while you gently clip their nails. You can use a really large human nail clippers. Make sure you look for the vein and do not clip where that is - you will get blood everywhere! It's best to clip a little at a time. In case you do clip the vein, keep baking soda nearby to dip the toenail in. That's all I can think of...
2006-08-17 11:07:45 · answer #2 · answered by sir'slady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to change their cage 1-2 times a week, which gets old quick. You can find guinea pig food at your local grocery stores or Wal*Mart. You CAN bathe guinea pigs. I bathe mine in the sink probably once a month, although I'm not sure what is recommended. Make sure the water is warm, but not hot. I think there is special shampoo for guinea pigs, but my mom uses Johnson&Johnson lol. We towel dry our guinea pig and then let him run around for a little bit to make sure he is completely dry so he doesn't get sick. You also need to trim their nails and buy them special wood blocks so their teeth don't get too long, because then they can't eat.
Hope this helps!
2006-08-17 10:56:24 · answer #3 · answered by Always Underestimated 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I bathe mine regularly.Use a gentle no tear shampoo and be careful around the face and ears.Get a good book on them, or go to a comprehensive website.Hold them securely when you pick them up( close to your body)Either hold them under a gently running faucet( body only) or put a towel on the bottom af the sink and fill it with warm water.The towel is for traction and to make them feel more secure.You may need to wrap him in a towel and do half at a time if hes really wiggly.You can also repetedly spot clean him with a wet , soapy washcloth if you still have problems.The more he is accustomed t being handled, the easier it will be to bathe him.
2006-08-17 11:20:23 · answer #4 · answered by sunshine.today 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can bath them yes but make sure they are totaly dry before putting them back into their home you can do this by towel drying them and useing a hair dryer on low. make sure to keep them away from drafts as well they will get sick.
as for the shampoo kitten and puppy shampoo will work if not find guinea pig shampoo. my boyfriend and i just used two bowls to bath ours in one for washing one for rinsing.
2006-08-17 10:58:45 · answer #5 · answered by tess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to the library or local pet store and buy a book on guinea pigs, that will be alot better then spending hours on here waiting for the right answer
2006-08-17 10:52:20 · answer #6 · answered by sassy2sloppy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can but don't immerse them in water they could get ear and respiratory infections very easy. Make sure you dry( hair drier on low) them and keep their nails clipped to. Start to give them baths when they are young so they get used to it.
2006-08-17 11:00:19 · answer #7 · answered by pugaboo03 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have a look at the care sheets on my web site they will help you.
http://www.artsaquaticsandanimals.com
2006-08-17 11:14:00 · answer #8 · answered by stevehart53 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hiya i had a guinapig, you can give them a shower, and you try them with a towel afterwoods, i used to talk or sing to mine, to make sure he was okay, and safe, as he hated water,
2006-08-17 11:46:07 · answer #9 · answered by saralouise_uk2002 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no you cant bathe them they will have a heart attack.
2006-08-17 11:04:28 · answer #10 · answered by Cutie-Pye Monet 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋