should you bathe a guinea pig, if so how often?

Answer 1

yes baith them. as to when i would say about every week. they get really stinky if you don't! But not in a bathtub! just put it in a sink full of water!
Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I bathe my pigs once every 2 weeks or so. All literature I've read suggests only bathing every once in awhile as needed. I haven't had any problems with it just make sure you dry them really well. My long haired pigs have even taken a liking to being blow dried on a low setting though I wouldn't suggest this unless you have a very calm guinea other wise you may end up scaring it. I use either puppy shampoo or kitten shampoo since it is milder.

This is just what I do with my pigs. It is by no means something I suggest for everyone.

As far as guinea pigs drowning like one of the previous posts state, my pigs can swim. Not sure if it comes naturally but they don't seem to have a problem with it.

Answer 3

If kept in a cage that is kept clean, and completely cleaned out regularly, guinea pigs will not develop an odor that people can detect. They only get smelly when allowed to lounge around in their own excretions. It's all part and parcel of taking care of a pet.

Like any rodents, they'll clean themselves off when needed. If you watch quietly, you'll occassionally see them doing this, complete with licking their paws to wash off their faces.

Certain conditions can lead a vet to prescribe bathing, and boars sometimes need somebody to watch their backsides to make sure they're clean, but this is, on the whole, rare.

When introducing new guinea pigs, a bath with a mild soap of some sort is a good idea if they're fighting strongly enough to draw blood. The bath is a bit traumatic, and it kills their scents, allowing you to give them a "fresh start" at an introduction.

Answer 4

Personally, I don't bathe mine unless they get dirty. I have one long haired pig that gets a dirty bum, even though I have the hair clipped short. The short haired pigs rarely need a bath. If the cage is clean, they should not get dirty.

Boars get dirty around their grease gland, which needs to be cleaned every so often. I clean my boars monthly. This does not involve bathing the entire pig. Use some hand cleaner that will remove grease or a drop of grease dissolving dish soap on the gland area only. Massage to break up the grease and then rinse his bum well with clean water. Towel dry and keep piggie out of any drafty areas.

Please keep in mind that pigs are very susceptible to upper respiratory infections and will get ill if they are wet and cold. If you use a hair dryer to dry your pig, keep it on the lowest setting and do not leave it too long in one area or you will burn its skin.

Use shampoo made for small animals. You can buy shampoos at any pet shop. Or you can get some really great products from a company in the UK. See www.gorgeousguineas.com for more information.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I have bathed mine when they were really stinky. But guinea pigs are prone to respiratory problems so you must be very careful that you bath them away from and drafts and dry them thoroughly. Then make sure they are kept away from any drafts until they are completely dry. I would bath them, then dry them with a towel until only slightly damp them put them in their cage with clean dry bedding in a warm room. I only bathed them when they were really dirty, it's not necessary to bath frequently.

Answer 6

Mine all grew up in a pond so I don't know about bathing. At the end I threw a couple of soap bars in the pond. Because at dinner time at the picnic table that got out to be a really smelly ordeal.

Answer 7

I would uess not as they are small and phnemonia can come easily to rodents.

Answer 8

never it might drown!