Guinea pig grooming

[Kirstybp]

Hi guys,

I bathed my boy tonight as it had been a while, using guinea pig friendly shampoo I used before (he was fine with it then). He was shivering for a while after so I kept him wrapped in towels on my lap for ages. He seemed to get really fed up so put him back in the cage after about 45 mins. He was a lot better when he went back to start with and then started grooming himself. I know that’s normal and it’s good that he did that. But how long do they normally groom themselves for after a bath? He just seemed to be doing it for a while and I’m a bit worried his skin might be irritating him. Thanks x

 

[Siikibam]

May I ask why you bathed him? Was he smelly, mucky grease gland or as part of treatment for something?

I don’t know how long they groom for, i’ve never really times it but I’m sure he’s just doing it because he felt he had to

 

[Kirstybp]

Thanks! He’s got long ish hair which had got a bit matted near his bum so I wanted to make sure he was clean. His brother is a long haired piggy and really needed a bath and a haircut this week so I did freddo as well. It’s probably just me worrying, they’re the first pets I’ve had on my own. He seems calmer now, and he’s had a tomato and munched on hay since I put him back so he probably just didn’t enjoy his bath! x

 

[Kirstybp]

Although it does seem more like he’s itching than grooming which is what worried me x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi guys,

I bathed my boy tonight as it had been a while, using guinea pig friendly shampoo I used before (he was fine with it then). He was shivering for a while after so I kept him wrapped in towels on my lap for ages. He seemed to get really fed up so put him back in the cage after about 45 mins. He was a lot better when he went back to start with and then started grooming himself. I know that’s normal and it’s good that he did that. But how long do they normally groom themselves for after a bath? He just seemed to be doing it for a while and I’m a bit worried his skin might be irritating him. Thanks x

Grooming after a bath is totally normal and actually something you want to see. The shampoo removes all the oil on the skin and that has to be spread again to rebuilt the protective skin microbiome again.

If you can, please avoid full body bathing as much as possible (especially in the current cold UK weather) and just use some judicial hair cutting at the bum end to remove any matting and any longer hairs that could mat, followed by a bum bath with baby warm plain water; that usually does the trick for my long-haired boys, is a lot less stressful for them and their delicate skin!
Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

 

[Wiebke]

Although it does seem more like he’s itching than grooming which is what worried me x

See whether he continues to itch with increasing vigour in the coming days. Shampoos and too frequent bathing can dry out the skin and cause problems.

 

[Kirstybp]

Thanks. He was hiding away in his house as well and then every so often itching like mad. I put a blanket on top of the cage to try and keep some extra heat in for him and he immediately came out of his cage and was acting more like himself. I think he just really didn’t like his bath and that was his way of showing me he wasn’t happy! that’s only the second time I’ve bathed him, but I’ll keep an eye on him over the next couple of days x

 

[hrsrdr]

I would definitely keep an eye on him. I know my piggy grooms a lot after a bath, so it could be nothing. Just watch for patches with missing fur, or a loss of appetite. You can also check the bottom of his feet. If they look irritated, that could also be a sign that it irritated his skin How much shampoo did you use?

 

[Kirstybp]

Thanks all for the advice. I only used a tiny bit, smaller than a 5p coin. I’ll definitely keep an eye on his feet. He’s eaten as normal since I put him back so I think he should be fine. He probably didn’t like the extra long cuddle either. He tends to get grouchy after 10/15 mins or so but I didn’t want to put him back till he was properly dry. X

 

[hrsrdr]

I know my guinea pig doesn't like the towel being wrapped around him, so yours could be the same way too.

 

[Kirstybp]

Oh I hadn’t thought of that. Yeah he kept pulling away from the towel but again I wanted to make sure he was dry before he went back in the cage so I kept wrapping him back up. Will definitely only bathe this guy if I have too. I’ve also seen that you can get wipes to use instead of bathing. Would it be better to use those instead? X

 

[Wiebke]

Oh I hadn’t thought of that. Yeah he kept pulling away from the towel but again I wanted to make sure he was dry before he went back in the cage so I kept wrapping him back up. Will definitely only bathe this guy if I have too. I’ve also seen that you can get wipes to use instead of bathing. Would it be better to use those instead? X

Wipes are chemically treated, too. Plain water is best.

I would however recommend splashing out on a microwaveable snugglesafe pad and just drying off the worst of the damp and then letting your piggy dry off in the cage with a sheet or blanket over the cage to keep any cold drafts out until the bum has dried.

 

[hrsrdr]

Yes! The wipes are a lot better. I only bathe my piggy when I absolutely have to. Also, instead of keeping him wrapped in the towel, what I do is I get the worst of the water out of his coat with a towel, and then use a soft bristled brush. It kinda helps dry him out, and get any soap off of his skin.

 

[hrsrdr]

I wouldn't use any scented wipes though.