General Guinea Pigs Swimming?

[iPiggy]

Can you guys give me some reasons why guinea pigs should not swim? I'm trying to convince some owners but they won't listen because I don't have very many reasons :expressio I'm scared for the well being of their piggies so I need more evidence. Thanks.

 

[juliaaa]

Although they can swim if they have to save themselves from drowning, guinea pigs are not built for swimming. It is not fun or enjoyable for them in any way, and will cause unnecessary stress.

 

[PiggieMom]

There is a very high chance the the pig will become frightened, thrash about in the water and drown. Tell them to look at the size of their paws in relation to the size of their bodies: they are in no way built for swimming. Not only that: but frequent saturation of the skin can cause skin irritation. Also ask them: what are their reasons for wanting their pig to swim? Because though I can list many reasons for them not to, I can't think of one to try and put them in water.

 

[ResqMomma]

I am curious as to why they want them to swim? If it's treated water it's bad for their skin and if they swallow too much it could cause other problems I would think.

 

[YayPiggies]

I'm pretty sure in the wild Pigs don't have much access to water. They're too chunky and short legged to support themselves for long. Like imagine a Basset Hound swimming for 4 hours. Not happening! Same for pigs. Water may frighten and stress the pigs out because they feel they have no escape. Some people think it's good 'excersize' but no, it's just making them scared.

 

[ms pixie riot]

In a related question, is there any reason why they shouldn't be in shallow water if they want to? I recently had to temporarily give my girls a dish with water in it in place of a water bottle, and one pig was VERY determined to jump in the water and splash around. She LOVED it! Is this okay?

 

[Res Judicata]

I have one that likes getting her toes wet in the dish I have beneath the water bottle to catch overflow. One of her cagemates likes to play with the bottle and slobber water all over. I think her exploring the water is just piggy curiosity. She can control it and she's not really swimming.