Cleaning boars?

[smartypants]

I don't have any piggies yet, but I am definitely going to get some when I have enough time, space, and money (still in college, so all those things are scarce right now).

I just had a question about boars. I know you have to clean their butts and genitals (if something gets caught in them), so I was just wondering a few things about that.

1) How often do you do it?

2) Do the piggies freak out when you do it?

I've heard that it's kind of gross and smells, etc., but that kind of stuff doesn't really bother me. So I was basically just wondering about the frequency of it so I can be a good owner, and how the piggies would react.

Thanks!

[clotho]

I do it once a week when I clean the boys' cages. I found they squirmed a lot at first and it helped to have someone else hold them while I cleaned. Now they are used to it and don't freak out at all. I even managed to clean them all by myself one week when I didn't have anyone to help me. It just becomes part of the routine - for us and for them.

It is kind of gross and it can smell REAL bad - but it's important. I find doing it regularly helps keep the smell down so it's not that bad when I do it each week.

[fourboys4now]

I have 6 boars and it's not that bad after you've done it a few times. One of my newly adopted boys does not even squirm and I can clean him by myself. I use qtips and mineral oil.

[smartypants]

Thanks for the responses. I figure it's like anything else... once you do it several times it becomes routine for you and the piggies.

[fourboys4now]

My 4 year old daughter is fascinated that I have to do this. She'll sit there and watch. I'm convinced she's going to become a vet if she watches me clean boar butt without getting grossed out or it bothering her in the least. The first time I did it I thought, oh please don't let me hurt him, but after done a few times you learn how to do it quickly. Some people say it's a really strong smell, but I've never noticed but just a little smell while doing it.

[sparkyisnumber1]

I think my boys actually enjoy this weekly cleaning spree. Just make sure you have a firm grip on him the first time you do it, most boys squirm. I mean who wouldn't. Poor guys thinking you are going to cuddle with him but instead you put a Qtip in his no-no area.

[SerpentineSylph]

Originally Posted by sparkyisnumber1

...most boys squirm. I mean who wouldn't. Poor guys thinking you are going to cuddle with him but instead you put a Qtip in his no-no area.

That was absolutely wonderful! It had me laughing so hard!

Hoo! Anyway. Wow.
I just cleaned my boar for the first time about five days ago. Sad to say, I forgot about the bum cleaning but remembered when I couldn't get rid of the odor in his cage and was reading a thread on here. I got my fiance to get off the Xbox 360 and help me out - not as hard as I thought it would be and I was surprised. (I mean, who wouldn't rather play video games than clean out a guinea pig's bum?) But Doc was great, he squirmed a bit, but was very good. I don't know if he has had it done before (I adopted him at 37 months old), but he was a champ about it.

I think they just have to get use to it initially. I mean, I'd be weirded out too if someone randomly stuck some greasy thing up... there! The smell wasn't bad at all, and I used Baby Oil (all I could find) which I heard can make it even stinkier.

[mbator]

I never heard that this even has to be done, I have not read this anywhere nor been told so I figure they can clean themselves and have been doing fine.

[kmug500]

I have never done it either, but that's because I just found out I have a boy. He is around 3 months. I tried looking for exactly how you do it and have not found anything. Could someone tell us how we are to do it, for us newbies, thank you.

[fourboys4now]

It's very easy and pretty fast. If you'll just buy a bottle of mineral oil. You can buy it at grocery stores or WalMart. It's clear like water. I lay out a paper towel and have a stack of Qtips handy in a pile. I pour a small amount of the mineral oil in a short glass or measuring cup. Have someone hold the boy on his back and you dip the Qtip in mineral oil and just gently slide it inside the sack area and gently make little circles around the edges in there. Sometimes there will be a little hair in there, and sometimes just poo residue. If you use shavings there is usually a little of that in there. Good luck.

[kmug500]

Thank you