Bathing over bonding...does it have to be now?!

[CrustPunkPiggie]

Hi all! I recently adopted a 3 year old male guinea pig (affectionately named crust after his messy appearance when we first got him)
He was in a moderately poor condition when I rescued him (curling under overgrown nails, hair dragging behind him, slightly overweight etc). He’s been in my care coming up on 2 weeks now, and I think he needs a bath. I’ve tried cutting his hair and he makes a huge fuss about his bum... I don’t want to ruin our bond but I’m worried that if I don’t his grease gland may be in danger of getting infected. I don’t suppose the woman I got him off ever bathed him, and she got him from a person on the internet when he was supposedly 2 (so I’m worried he’s already been through a lot of trauma )

New here, and thanks for any advice youre all willing to give me.
Crusts concerned piggie mum x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all! I recently adopted a 3 year old male guinea pig (affectionately named crust after his messy appearance when we first got him)
He was in a moderately poor condition when I rescued him (curling under overgrown nails, hair dragging behind him, slightly overweight etc). He’s been in my care coming up on 2 weeks now, and I think he needs a bath. I’ve tried cutting his hair and he makes a huge fuss about his bum... I don’t want to ruin our bond but I’m worried that if I don’t his grease gland may be in danger of getting infected. I don’t suppose the woman I got him off ever bathed him, and she got him from a person on the internet when he was supposedly 2 (so I’m worried he’s already been through a lot of trauma )

New here, and thanks for any advice youre all willing to give me.
Crusts concerned piggie mum x

Hi!

We generally only recommend to bathe piggies for either medical reasons or if they are really soiled. However, if you do it with plenty of encouragement, fuss and piggy whispering love, the bond will not be broken. Your boy is going to feel a lot better afterwards.

Please bathe him in a bowl sitting on a towel in your shower or bathtub, so he cannot hurt himself when he makes freak blind jump, but he cannot run away and hide, either. Fill the bowl with baby warm water only to height at the highest will touch his belly. Use the shower head or a vessel with more baby warm water for the rinsing after.
Not all piggies will accept a hair dryer afterwards; never dry from any closer than 1 ft por leave your boy to dry on his own in a warm, draft free place. Give him a special treat once the ordeal is over and praise him lavishly during the process.
If you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your account details (accessible via your username on the top bar), we may be able to recommend country shampoo brands that are especially formulated for a guinea pig skin ph., as well as medical brands and take climate, vet and rescue access etc. into account to always help you as quickly and efficiently as possible. We are dealing with members and enquiries from all over the world.
UK with worldwide shipping: Gorgeous Guineas - Aromatherapy skincare products for guinea pigs
US: Wee Companions Small Animal Adoption, Inc. - Healthy Food, Animal Shampoo, and Accessories

Follow our tips for cleaning the grease gland before you bathe. You will find all the necessary advice for regular boar maintenance (which includes penis shaft cleaning) in our boar care guide; you should find the guide very helpful!
Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

 

[CrustPunkPiggie]

Thank you so much for your advice. I put coconut oil on his bum as advised, very helpful! He had a clump near his grease gland. Gave him a little trim around his butt to make it easier if we ever have to again. He’s been very good for me so he’s getting lots of love and veggies as a reward. We’re currently curled up next to the radiator. Thank you from both of us! X

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much for your advice. I put coconut oil on his bum as advised, very helpful! He had a clump near his grease gland. Gave him a little trim around his butt to make it easier if we ever have to again. He’s been very good for me so he’s getting lots of love and veggies as a reward. We’re currently curled up next to the radiator. Thank you from both of us! X

Glad that all has gone well!

As he is obviously a long-haired piggy, it is advisable to keep the hair at the back end and around the genitals cut short in order to prevent the worst of the matting. You will have to check for mats during your weekly onceover health check and weigh-in.
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
This guide here tells you what is normal and what not: Guinea pig body quirks

Here is our complete new owners' guide collection of which these guide are all part. We are specifically addressing all the areas that new owners have the most questions and worries about. You will hopefully find it very helpful and informative.
You can access our extensive guide collection on a very wide range of topics via the guides shortcut on the top bar, by the way.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[YvonneBlue]

He is a very cute piggy. I'm sure he feels better for having a bath even if he didn't really enjoy it.

 

[CrustPunkPiggie]

He is a very cute piggy. I'm sure he feels better for having a bath even if he didn't really enjoy it.

oh isn’t he just! He sure seems perkier after some veg hehe.

 

[CrustPunkPiggie]

Glad that all has gone well!

As he is obviously a long-haired piggy, it is advisable to keep the hair at the back end and around the genitals cut short in order to prevent the worst of the matting. You will have to check for mats during your weekly onceover health check and weigh-in.
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
This guide here tells you what is normal and what not: Guinea pig body quirks

Here is our complete new owners' guide collection of which these guide are all part. We are specifically addressing all the areas that new owners have the most questions and worries about. You will hopefully find it very helpful and informative.
You can access our extensive guide collection on a very wide range of topics via the guides shortcut on the top bar, by the way.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

I’ve just had a read through of the piggie body ab/normalities thank you. definitely be checking those out. I’ve had 2 guinea pigs before and cared for my sisters elderly boar right up until he died. However none of my previous boys have had such long thick hair, completely different ball game with all new worries! Those will definitely be useful. Especially after his op when I’ll be taking on a sow.

 

[Wiebke]

I’ve just had a read through of the piggie body ab/normalities thank you. definitely be checking those out. I’ve had 2 guinea pigs before and cared for my sisters elderly boar right up until he died. However none of my previous boys have had such long thick hair, completely different ball game with all new worries! Those will definitely be useful. Especially after his op when I’ll be taking on a sow.

Here is our information on neutering and neutering ops (I have warned you that we have plenty of information, haven't I? ): Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths And Facts