How to Give Guinea Pigs Baths

A Guinea Pig Being Bathed

Guinea pigs, also known as cavies, are generally very clean animals and groom themselves frequently. However, they can be bathed once every six months, if otherwise healthy and lice or mite free. When bathed guinea pigs can quickly become chilled, which can be dangerous to their health. The following is a simple guide to bathing a healthy guinea pig quickly and efficiently.

Things You'll Need

• 2 or 3 clean towels
• A wash cloth
• Baby shampoo or rabbit shampoo
• A guinea pig brush
• Warm water
• A large bowl or baby bath tub
• A plastic cup for pouring

Instructions

How to Give Guinea Pigs Baths

1. Brush the guinea pig well with a guinea pig brush. Be gentle because guinea pigs have sensitive skin.

2. Fill a large bowl or an old baby bathtub with warm water. Be sure to test the temperature of the water on your wrist before you put the guinea pig in the tub.

3. Lay a dry towel out next to the bath.

4. 

   Place the guinea pig in the water and use a cup to wet it’s body, avoiding the face and ears.

5. Apply a small amount of pet shampoo to the pig’s fur, and begin lathering. Lather underneath the pig as well, and around the feet.

6. 

   Take the pig out of the bath and wrap it in the dry towel.

7. Empty the bath water, and refill with fresh, warm water.

8. Put the guinea pig back into the tub and use the cup to rinse the shampoo off. Once again, avoid the eye and ear areas.

9. Place a dry towel next to the bath, and when the guinea pig is rinsed, wrap it in the dry towel.

10. Towel dry the guinea pig, and soak up as much water as possible. Use an extra towel if necessary.

11. Put the guinea pig back in it’s cage once it is dry. Make sure it is not shivering. If it is cold, wrap it up in a towel again, and dry some more.

Tips & Warnings

• Line the guinea pig bath with a wash cloth or small towel to keep the pig from sliding around.

• Never leave a guinea pig unattended, especially when it is high off the ground. They can jump and hurt themselves when they land.

• Do not use a blow-dryer on a guinea pig. Guinea pigs have sensitive skin, and can burn easily.