Search
We will earn a commission on purchases through the links mentioned here. This in no way affects our recommendations and they are based on research. Read more
Our top priority is to keep our pets clean and healthy at all times. People frequently believe that bathing our pets is necessary in order to keep them clean. But how much of this is true? Is it necessary to bathe guinea pigs? Alternatively, they can function effectively without it.
Guinea pigs do not require routine bathing because they groom themselves in their natural environment. Apart from that, bathing them removes the natural oil from their bodies, which is essential for maintaining healthy fur and skin. It is possible, however, that you will need to give your guinea pigs a small bath if their fur becomes stained and odorous.Most of the time, your guinea pigs will be fine going without a bath for a few months.A variety of other factors, such as how well you maintain the cage, whether you have a short-haired or long-haired pet, and the type of bedding materials you use, all contribute to how long your pet will live in his or her cage. Let’s take it step by step and learn more about it.

 

Please note: Guinea Pig Name is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by our readers with no extra cost added to you all! Some links in the post are affiliate link and I get commission from purchases made through links in the post.

How often do you have to bathe a guinea pig?

Guinea pigs do not require frequent bathing unless they are filthy or your veterinarian has advised you to do so for medical reasons.

In most cases, a bath once or twice a month or every two months would be sufficient. If you have long-haired guinea pigs, you may need to bathe them more frequently because dirt and urine strains can become trapped in their long coats and become difficult to remove.

In order to keep their bums clean, I usually give my guinea pigs a monthly bum bath and a complete wash every two months or whenever they need it.

Regular brushing can help to keep their fur clean and reduce the need to bathe them as frequently. My guinea pigs absolutely adore this soft and wonderful brush that I purchased from Amazon.

Boars require frequent grease gland cleaning due to the fact that grease buildup can become offensive in a short period of time. Make certain that it is thoroughly cleaned.

We have a comprehensive article on the guinea pig grease gland and how to clean it, which you can refer to for more information.

If you want to bathe your guinea pigs solely because they are smelly, you should reconsider your decision. It’s possible that the smell is caused by something else. Our in-depth article explains why your guinea pigs are smelling and what you can do to prevent it.

When to bathe your guinea pig?

When Should Your Guinea Pigs Be Bathed?

If your guinea pig is suffering from skin diseases, mites, or other parasites, your veterinarian may recommend that you bathe them more frequently with a medicated shampoo to alleviate the symptoms.

Otherwise, adhere to the principle of giving them a Bum bath once a month and a complete bath every few months when they become filthy and smelly.

Never make bathing your guinea pigs a regular part of their routine. If you bathe your guinea pigs frequently, they may become stressed and ill.

In addition, if your pet is sick, refrain from washing them until your veterinarian instructs you to do so. Bathing an ill guinea pig can lead to the development of additional health problems such as a cold or, even worse, a respiratory infection.

So make sure you do what is necessary, and even if you have to bathe them, make sure you have everything you need and that you know how to give them a bath before you begin.

Can guinea pigs bathe in cold water?

Bathing your guinea pigs

 

No, guinea pigs should not be bathed in cold water because it can cause their body temperature to drop rapidly.

A hot steam bath, on the other hand, does not appeal to them because it can dry and irritate their skin. Make sure to keep lukewarm water available to keep your guinea pigs from becoming too cold, which could cause them to become scratchy and irritated on their backs.

Some people believe that simply because it is hot outside, a cold bath will be refreshing for their guinea pig. However, this is not the case. However, this is far from the truth.

Guinea pigs do not have the ability to regulate their body temperature as effectively as other animals.

As a result, giving your guinea pig a refreshing summer bath is not a good idea. Always check to see that the water temperature is comfortable for your guinea pigs before putting them in.

What you will need to bath your guinea pigs

Bathing a guinea pig is a relatively simple process that doesn’t necessitate the use of a lot of equipment. It would be preferable, however, if you had completed some critical preparation prior to getting started. Among the supplies you’ll need are the following:

  • Lukewarm water
  • A plastic container
  • Guinea pig safe shampoo
  • A set of towel &
  • A hairdryer

So, now that you have all of the information you require, you can put everything in order so that you can get started.

Personally, I use a plastic container that I keep in my sink so that my guinea pigs have a hard surface on which to stand comfortably while they eat and drink.

Another thing to remember is to use a shampoo that is safe for guinea pigs. Despite the fact that many people can get away with whatever they have, it is recommended that they get a specific one for them because it is gentle on their skin and does not strip away all of the natural oil.

Natural shampoos like Earthbath Natural Shampoo are my personal favorite because they contain natural olive and coconut oil extracts that help to keep the skin of guinea pigs from becoming dry.

A set of towels to dry your guinea pigs will also be required, as guinea pigs are susceptible to contracting colds very quickly. As a result, never leave them wet after taking a bath.

A pet-safe hairdryer goes the extra mile to ensure that our guinea pigs are completely dry after they have been bathed. Following the completion of your preparations, you can proceed with the bathing of your guinea pigs.

Top-Rated Guinea Pig Supplies: Our Top Picks! Recommended Guinea Pig Supplies: Our Top Picks!

Before you read on, here are some supplies for your guinea pigs that have been hand-picked by our experts and that you should add to your wishlist right away:

How to bathe a guinea pig?

The Easy Way to Give a Guinea Pig a Bath!

Once you have everything set up and

The Quick and Simple Method for Bathing a Guinea Pig!

Then you can proceed to bathe your guinea pig once you’ve finished setting everything up and ready. Taking care of your guinea pig is a relatively simple process; you simply need to keep a few things in mind while bathing your guinea pig. Let’s look at how to go about it the right way.

ready, you can go ahead and bath your guinea pig. Bathing your guinea pig is relatively simple; you just have to keep a few things in mind while bathing your guinea pig. Let us see how to do it n the right way.

  • First, fill the sink with a container large enough to accommodate your guinea pig.
  • Check the water temperature; once it is lukewarm, you can proceed to fill the container with water until it reaches 2 1/2 inches in height.
  • Carefully lower your guinea pig into the water while keeping their head above the surface of water. They should not allow the water to rise above their heads because it could be fatal to their health.
  • Soak the guinea pig’s body in water and apply some shampoo to their coat and body. Clean their grease gland and bum area thoroughly by lathering up their body with soap.
  • Now thoroughly wash them with clean water, reapply some shampoo to their bum area or wherever else may be necessary, and wash them again.
  • Make certain that you thoroughly rinse off all of the shampoo. Keep the shampoo away from their eyes and nose as well.
  • After washing them thoroughly, wrap them in a towel for a few minutes to absorb any excess water that has accumulated on the fur. Please check that there are no drafts that could cause them to become cold.
  • Once they appear to be slightly dry, place the towel on a flat surface, hold your guinea pig above it, and turn off the hairdryer to finish drying them.
  • Make certain that the dryer is not set to a high temperature that could burn their skin. Once you have dried them thoroughly, you can return them to their cage and give them a treat to brighten their spirits.
  • Remember to keep their heads above water at all times, and to keep shampoo from getting into their eyes and nose.
  • Also, avoid bathing them for an extended period of time and drying them quickly afterward. During a bath, I also try to play soothing music to help my guinea pigs relax and unwind.In our article, What Kind of Music Do Guinea Pigs Like, we go into greater detail about this topic.

My guinea pig is shivering after a bath?

The coldness of the water can cause your Guinea Pigs to shudder after taking a bath. It would be wise to relocate them to a warm area away from drafts in order to avoid them contracting a severe or other disease from the environment.

They should never be exposed to direct sunlight as this can be harmful to their health. Our in-depth article on Shivering in Guinea Pigs will provide you with additional information.

Related questions:

Can I use my dog’s shampoo to bathe my guinea pigs?

Yes, you can bathe your guinea pigs with any pet-safe shampoo, including a dog’s shampoo, if you want to.

If the shampoo does contain any scent or artificial fragrance, make sure to avoid using it on your guinea pigs because this can cause respiratory issues in them.

If at all possible, use only guinea pig shampoo, which is gentle and does not strip the animal’s natural oils from its coat.

Can a guinea pig die from a bath?

Yes, if you are not careful, your guinea pigs may perish as a result of taking a bath. There are two significant factors that can contribute to these types of accidents.

Because the water level was above their heads, it entered their lungs through their nose and ears, resulting in serious health problems such as pneumonia.
The guinea pig was sick prior to being bathed, and bathing them caused the symptoms to intensify and the disease to worsen even further.

If at all possible, try to avoid giving them a bath, and if you have no choice but to give them one, make sure to give it to them in the proper manner.

Do guinea pigs need sand baths?

No, guinea pigs do not require a sand bath in the same way that some other animals do. Sand can be harmful to your guinea pigs because it can cause allergy and irritation in the eyes and skin of your guinea pigs.


Sources: Petsaver guinea pig guide, Guinea pig care, GUINEA PIG GENERAL CARE GUIDE, The effects of lowering the bath temperature