Easiest way to bath piggies?

[supermum]

My trio have been making some good progress, I have come to accept unless I have food they arnt ever going to like me They need a bath though, they stink soooo I'm going to dig out the old baby bath, now would it be easier to bung all 3 in the tub together? or can it be done one at a time? If I do it one at a time and put them in the playpen to dry properly will it cause any fighting? I plan to do them sunday evening when bratties are in bed. (well I plan on getting Neil to, they like him lol) I will probably do the babies too but they can dry out on our laps.

 

[Toffeewoffee]

hmm, its hard to say, they may feel more comfortable if there all in there together, however if they hate it and are trying to jump out, (which they will if they want to) will you be able to control all 3? If you have a proper bath it may pay you to do it in there and do them all at once, they wont be able to get out of a household bath.

 

[Wiebke]

It is a bit a matter of trial and error to find what works for you and your boys.

Here are tips for bathing from our reference section (which is always worth a browse): http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=47314

 

[supermum]

Thank you, I have read that, I live in the reference section lol, I was just trying to work out whats best for them as they can be grumpy with each other, I just wasnt sure if I did it one at a time I risk ruining the bond they have"):red

I could do them in my bath tub, I can carry them up in the old cage no problems, there will be 2 of us to keep them in, though I have never bathed a piggie so dont know how difficult they are to keep where you want them lol, I'm kinda hoping I have 5 freaks that love baths

 

[William&Keith]

The way I did it when I got Alan & Clive was to plonk them all in a shallow bath of about an inch - the water was warm but not hot.

I then used the sink to wash them all via a cup - I didn't use any piggie shampoo the first time as it was just to get them all used to it.

I made sure that towels etc were ready and on hand for drying them off with.

My little sister did help as there were three

I also had a wee box ready lined with a towel to plonk the twins in whilst William got more of a wash & dry off.

 

[heavenlydemonick]

I saw this youtube video a lady who I think runs a rescue posted. It looks like the easiest way to bath a guinea pig in my opinion as long as they can stand being handled that long.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ7u_zp7BVs"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ7u_zp7BVs[/ame]

 

[gogoguineas]

The technique in the video is exactly how i do it and it works well, you can use luke warm water to rinse properly etc. I've just given my fuzzy a bath for the first time and he bloody hated it though, like squealing and everything! I'm currently buying back his love with veggies lol

 

[flips]

I did try bathing 3 guinea pigs at the same time in the bath a couple of times. I found it really hard on my back and I felt the girls got more stressed in the end as they could see what was happening whilst they were waiting.
Now I do it at the kitchen sink. I have warm water in the sink and in a washing up bowl on the draining board.
I put the piggy in the sink and use a cup to pour water over them to get them wet. Then take them out and stand them on a tea towel on the draining board to shampoo them. Then back into the sink to wash the soap off and a final dunk/ rinse in the bowel to make sure they are soap-free. Wrap them up in a towel with a big cuddle to dry off. Then I put them in my laundry basket which is lined with a fresh towel and a smaller towel for them to snuggle under.
Then run fresh water and onto the next piggy, adding them to the basket until I'm finished. (I have done this with 3 before but tomorrow am attempting 5). When they're dry enough I put them back in the cage with lots of snuggly fleece things and some parsley and cucumber yummies.