How to Shampoo a Guinea Pig

Bathing guinea pigs is a necessary part of their regular care. Guinea pigs do groom themselves, but because they spend much of their time in shavings that are often soiled, they can still get quite dirty. Guinea pigs in general are happy to be let out of the cage, but may not be as happy when the bath starts. To keep bath time from being stressful, keep it short.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Wait until the guinea pig is sufficiently dirty. Shampooing too often can dry out the animal's hair and skin.
2. Choose either a shampoo designed for small animals or a gentle baby shampoo.
3. Prepare a shallow bath of warm water. Make sure it isn't too deep and allows the animal to walk around comfortably.
4. Place the guinea pig into the water. Scoop a small amount of water over the fur. Run fingers through the fur at the same time, to ensure that the entire coat is saturated.
5. Use a shampoo appropriate for guinea pigs, and lather up the fur. Take care to keep the shampoo away from the pig's eyes.
6. Use the rest of the water to rinse the guinea pig, using care to leave no shampoo behind. Give some special attention to the face, feet and bottom areas, which attract more dirt.
7. Dry the guinea pig thoroughly to prevent illness.

Tips & Warnings

• If your pet is nervous when taking a bath, offer a small treat to chew on. Wood chews will float on the water and will not be damaged by the bath.
• A good pet store will advise you on the best shampoo to use.