Grooming Boar cleaning too frequently?

ginipigsinspace · May 22, 2014

One of my boars, Han, who is about a year and 7 months old seems to need his sac cleaned a lot. After a week or so I'll notice a strong aroma, and when I go to clean it I will find lint, hay, and the Q-tips will come out yellowish-brown. I don't want to harm him, but I also don't want him to not be healthy. So, how do you know when you should or should not be cleaning them?

bpatters · May 22, 2014

At his age, you should check him once a week and clean him if he needs it. As he gets older, you may need to check more often.

What kind of bedding do you use? Some boars get bedding in their sacs, and a change of bedding might help.

Heather_GP · May 22, 2014

My boars sacs never been cleaned, I went to do it the other day and it looked horrible, I didn't have any mineral oil though and don't know where to get any from, looked online in the UK wherever I could, can water be used?

PiggieWigglies · May 22, 2014

Heather_GP said:
My boars sacs never been cleaned, I went to do it the other day and it looked horrible, I didn't have any mineral oil though and don't know where to get any from, looked online in the UK wherever I could, can water be used?

Water will hurt them. The reason why people use mineral oil is because its a lubricant and doesn't hurt them. Sure it feels a bit weird but as long as you don't stick it in too far they'll be okay. Why don't you try using coconut oil instead of mineral oil? It does the same thing and is healthier. If you use coconut oil you'll need organic cold pressed virgin coconut oil.

ginipigsinspace · May 22, 2014

@bpatters I use fleece, which maybe could account for the lint? However, if you think checking and potentially cleaning every week is ok, you have answered my question. I had previously been told every 3-4 weeks.

Heather_GP · May 22, 2014

PiggieWigglies said:
Water will hurt them. The reason why people use mineral oil is because its a lubricant and doesn't hurt them. Sure it feels a bit weird but as long as you don't stick it in too far they'll be okay. Why don't you try using coconut oil instead of mineral oil? It does the same thing and is healthier. If you use coconut oil you'll need organic cold pressed virgin coconut oil.

Thank you, I'll see where I can get some

Where People & Piggies Thrive

Newbie or Guinea Guru? Popcorn in!

Grooming Boar cleaning too frequently?

ginipigsinspace

Well-known Member

bpatters

Moderator

Heather_GP

Well-known Member

PiggieWigglies

Well-known Member

ginipigsinspace

Well-known Member

Heather_GP

Well-known Member

Similar threads

Share this Page

Newest members

Online statistics

Key Resources

Members online