Bathing How many people bath their short haired guinea pigs?

[Delaine]

I was just curious how many of you bath your guinea pigs, especially ones with short hair. If you do bath them what are the reasons? I brush my girls every day and this seems to take out most dirt and keeps them pretty clean. I did do a bum wash on Abbey tonight. She wasn't very happy about it, but she gets a little dirty spot around her bum area. Other than that they keep their faces and most areas clean themselves.

 

[Zuidy]

It isn't healthy/pleasant/necessary to bathe a Guinea Pig more than once in 6-8 months. Unless you are bathing for lice or other parasites, bathing can dry out the Guinea Pigs skin and cause flaking and itchyness. In severe cases, Guinea Pigs may hurt themselves if their skin gets to itchy.

I would really stick to brushing daily. If fur becomes matted on an Abby, then give them a bath, but you really don't have to bathe either type of pig unless something happens to where they need it.

Regardless, I don't bathe either pig, but I may for the first time in a few months when the pigs are tamer and whatnot.

 

[Delaine]

Zuidy

I agree. I would rather not bath my girls and brushing works great. My one girl's name is Abbey, both my girls are American with short hair. I hear many people talk about bathing their pigs and I was curious what would be the reason. I do have to do a little bum wash on one of my girls. I had her to the vet and neither one of us can figure out why she gets a little dirty spot around her behind.

 

[Frapplove]

I bathed Frappe when I first brought her home, but only because she was very dirty and had parasites. Now she just bathes herself often. And Little Frapp, I've had to give her a belly bath, because she loves to get into things and long story short ended up with a pee belly. But other than those occasions, they clean themselves.

 

[Cavalicious]

I only bathed my short-haired American GP boys once since I've had them because they got their nails caked in poo. Since then, brushing takes care of the shedding and any dirt. I do make a point of spot cleaning the cage more often so that they have less opportunities to run around in poo. And I took out some foods that seemed to contribute to the mushy poos.

 

[Gigabyte]

I only bathed a pig once after he got in an evergreen bush and was all dirty. I had to make sure he'd be okay and not react to the evergreen like I did - hives! I itch just thinking about it.

 

[HannibalLecter]

It isn't healthy/pleasant/necessary to bathe a Guinea Pig more than once in 6-8 months. Unless you are bathing for lice or other parasites, bathing can dry out the Guinea Pigs skin and cause flaking and itchyness. In severe cases, Guinea Pigs may hurt themselves if their skin gets to itchy.

I would really stick to brushing daily. If fur becomes matted on an Abby, then give them a bath, but you really don't have to bathe either type of pig unless something happens to where they need it.

Regardless, I don't bathe either pig, but I may for the first time in a few months when the pigs are tamer and whatnot.

Not completely true. What dries out the skin is harsh sulfates, which should be avoided with both animals & children, if not everyone. Same with perfume, paraffin & silicones. And most pigs will need a natural moisturizer in the product like vegetable oil.

I bathe my pigs (both a peruvian & abby) every 3-4 months as they have a habit of spraying one another, and seek out the dirtiest places to sleep.

 

[lovemypigs.]

i have to bathe my preuvian like once a month because she gets urine all over her bum area cuz of long hair

 

[canbquik]

have four short hair and bath them every 2-3 weeks. they love it, they lay right down in the water and love the hair dryer after bath.

 

[blackarrow]

I've had two American boars for years and neither one has ever needed a bath.

 

[SarahPiggles]

I do bath my two short haired pigs - about every 3 to 4 months as I've read that bathing more often than every 3 months is not recommended. I bath them because they spray eachother and get rather stinky! Sprite manages to keep herself clean whereas Pixie always gets dirty and smelly, but I bath them together so they are more relaxed

 

[Delaine]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate you replying and sharing your stories.

 

[CanadianComforts]

I bathe on average every 6 months but since I started using Gorgeous Guineas products I bath every 4-6 weeks. Their products help condition a guinea pigs fur and skin so they drying out and other issues you get with constant bathing is lowered. I use the posh and go and just for boars shampoos. My pigs smell wonderful and are super soft. In fact Eve's fur and skin has never looked better in years!

 

[Cavalicious]

I bathe on average every 6 months but since I started using Gorgeous Guineas products I bath every 4-6 weeks. Their products help condition a guinea pigs fur and skin so they drying out and other issues you get with constant bathing is lowered. I use the posh and go and just for boars shampoos. My pigs smell wonderful and are super soft. In fact Eve's fur and skin has never looked better in years!

I'm enjoying the website for Gorgeous Guineas. If it's not already in Hot Tips, I'd put a link to it there, too!

 

[CanadianComforts]

Thats a great idea.

 

[PiggieSqueeks]

I don't really bathe my Guinea Pig unless the wipes aren't taking away her stink. Last night was her first bath and she didn't really enjoy it that well(Let's just say it was a short bath because she kept climbing out).

But I honestly don't see a reason to bathe Guinea Pigs unless its absolutely necessary or your bathing for lice/parasites

 

[Cavalicious]

By the way, CanadianComforts, does the Just for Boars get out boar stank or is it just about making them smell unflowery compared to the other products?

 

[CanadianComforts]

I have noticed a huge difference with the boys during snuggle time thats for sure. But their cage still smells like... boy... no matter what I bathe them in Nothing but cage cleaning helps that. LOL

 

[Delaine]

I bathe on average every 6 months but since I started using Gorgeous Guineas products I bath every 4-6 weeks.

Where do you get Gorgeous Guineas products? I am from B.C. so should be able to get the same products as you do. Are they natural products?

 

[CanadianComforts]

I bought from their site : (broken link removed)

They ship to Canada and it was pretty fast to get here too, 8 days!

This has all the information I think your looking for: (broken link removed)