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An Orange Beard... Oh Dear!

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Dottie Lottie

Dottie Lottie

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I have two female guinea pigs - Nutmeg and Pepper. They were born around Christmas 2011, so are roughly 8 months old. Neither of them have had a bath - but Nutmeg is starting to get a green-orange beard under her mouth, as we give them fresh food often! Now, Nutmeg is a very excitable, wriggly piggy who can never sit still, while Pepper just takes it all in and can relax easily. How can I bath Nutmeg if she's so wriggly? :{
 
It will be difficult to bath Nutmeg. How about putting her in the bath and pouring water gently on her from a jug? That way if she wants to walk about it is fine. I do that with my gang. Some of them run away and this is fine as they are contained in the bath.

I recommend using gorgeous guineas shampoo. These are lovely shampoos and made especially for guinea pigs.
http://www.gorgeousguineas.co.uk/p/category/0509067949-Shampoos/
 
Here are tips for how to bathe a piggy from our reference section: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=47314

Please do not overfeed on veg! 1 cupful (ca. 50g) per piggy per day is all they need, especially if you include one high vitamin C veg daily (slice of pepper of any colour; bit of broccoli, any part; 1 sprig of either fresh coriander/cilantro, parsley, dill, mint or basil; please vary between these).
The mainstay should be unlimited hay - up to 80% of the daily food intake in order to keep the guts in top condition and the crucial back teeth ground down. By 8 months, you can also start to slowly reduce the amount of pellets you are giving to the half or handful they need as mature adults after 12-15 months old. Please weigh your piggies weekly, daily when not well; it is one of the best ways to catch health problems early on when they are much easier to treat.
 
Thank you - this has helped a lot. I am now well informed on how to bathe a piggy! Thank you for the information on food as well - but I give them a reasonable balanced meal, it's just the way she eats. Thanks again! :)
 
i always use the bath so they can both go in together and if they run its not a problem my piggies dont seem to mind being in there
 
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