Bathing Worry

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custardcream

custardcream

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Hi,

I am going to bath my GP's tonight, they are White and one has decided to lay in her own wee (very lady-like!)!

My problem is is that the one who laid in her wee and who is in desperate need for a bath is terrified of being held and tries to burrow into my armpit when she is sat on my lap. She just loves to hide.

I was wondering if anyone else has a GP like that and how you get around bathing them? She'll be in an open space (kitchen sink) and I know that it is not going to be easy and both stressful for me and her!

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks

Alex
 
I found that it is easiest and most reassuring to bathe nervous piggies while they are sitting on your arm and to shampoo them next to the sink (and next to their already washed friend snuggling in a towel) - mind you, this method is guaranteed to get you as wet as your piggy, so don't wear anything you are not prepared to change afterwards!

Here are more tips for bathing:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=47314
 
My now-deceased white piggie had this problem. I would cover my lap with a black sack then towels, let her snuggle her head in the crook of my left arm and, with my right hand, wash down her bottom. xx>>>(I'd have a sponge and bowl of warm water and shampoo to hand).

Not as thorough as a full-on bath, but she used to accept this undignified treatment 6):x and it did a pretty good job of bringing the whiteness back!rolleyes

Best of luck with whatever you try!
 
Wiebke said:
I found that it is easiest and most reassuring to bathe nervous piggies while they are sitting on your arm and to shampoo them next to the sink (and next to their already washed friend snuggling in a towel) - mind you, this method is guaranteed to get you as wet as your piggy, so don't wear anything you are not prepared to change afterwards!

Here are more tips for bathing:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=47314
Click to expand...

Thank you, I will try that, she can then go into her favourite hiding place. I think I may have to get it into my bikini! What a sight!

Thanks again!
 
catslovelycats said:
My now-deceased white piggie had this problem. I would cover my lap with a black sack then towels, let her snuggle her head in the crook of my left arm and, with my right hand, wash down her bottom. xx>>>(I'd have a sponge and bowl of warm water and shampoo to hand).

Not as thorough as a full-on bath, but she used to accept this undignified treatment 6):x and it did a pretty good job of bringing the whiteness back!rolleyes

Best of luck with whatever you try!
Click to expand...

Thank you! I think I will have to do a full bath as I checked her belly and she has decided to lay flat in it! Atleast she did a good job of it I suppose! All in the space of one evening! Lucky me.

Thanks a lot. :)
 
Ah mine does that! she really hates being handled! i tried washing her in a large plastic box and the sink, but she jumped out and it just took forever! Ive found the bath tub works pretty well, she cant jump out. i tend to use a shower attachment onto the taps. my pig just freezes when she gets put in the tub and stays still. bath time is normally over and done with in 5-10 mins then. but she will try and scramble out of the bath up my arm and i have lovely scram marks afterwards!
 
catslovelycats said:
Let us know how it goes, custardcream!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice!

I have just bathed them this morning, and it definately wasn't as bad as I thought, although I am completely soaked!

Cream, who is the most scared, was a star! I'm not saying she was doing backstroke whilst I was bathing her but she was perfectly still and just sniffed around. Custard, who is fine with being held, was good as well, although she was trying to climb into my top as I dried her! She did the sweetest little shake too! x)

They are in my room at the moment calming down. I have popped a water bottle under some fleece and newspaper which is under their cardboard little house (they probably think I have bought them a water bed!)

Another quick question - Should I try to use the hairdryer on them? I am terrified of them catching a cold, but with them being flighty still I don't want to scare them.

Thanks again!

Alex
 
i do, I'm not sure if you supposed to though...
she seems to like it and sits there while i dry her off.
i use the lowest heat settings and have a cold air button that i can use if i feel it gets too hot
 
I have just checked on them and they are slightly damp and curly! Loving the curls, I hope they stay! They seem warm, and they have been munching on the romaine lettuce I put in there.

So fingers crossed everything will be ok!
 
Soggy curly pigs! :<>
Well done! It gets easier the more they get used to it.

I use a travel hairdryer on them so it's not too loud and powerful. Keep it on a low setting and about 10cm away from piggy with your hand between their skin and the hot air gently moving their fur about. Keep the hairdryer moving to stop them getting burnt. I find it easier to do with an extra pair of hands but I did have a piggy who would just lay down and let me dry him on the condition there was a very big piece of carrot in front of him!
 
Bless! That is so sweet! They have been drying with a hot water bottle for an hour now, so hopefully they'll be ok. Lots of grass to say sorry is needed I think! :))
 
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