Piggy Happy or Tortured?

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Squeakzzz

Hey guys i washed my guinea pig two times for now....
First time didnt go well and second time was the same:(
He trys to escape bites me and squeaks
Is it normal for first couple times he does that? i want to make him happy not hurt him.Now I'm worried can something bad happen if that isnt normal?
Can you give me some tips I'm new with guinea piggys:0


Pls forgive me on my English >_< not from UK or USA
 
Most guinea pigs do not like being washed - they don't like water or the idea of drowning!

If you don't mind getting completely wet, try and hold your piggy on your arm as much as you can and wash it there. (Bathtub is not a bad space!) Speak to it quietly all the time, praise it and reassure it. Give it a special treat afterwards!

A guinea pig that bites you is a very frightened and unhappy guinea pig.
 
I would suggest washing in a bath and not a sink as I have tried twice in the sink and mine try to escape! It is easier in a bath and if they try to escape they can't get out and you don't need to hold still them to stop them hurting themselves! This may calm them down a little bit.

Also make sure the water is only upto the top of their legs and use your hands / a jug to pour water on them. They will find this less scary than being up to their necks!

It does seem to get a little easier I have done mine three times now and is much easier now!
 
only wash your piggy if it's got dirty, not as a habit. As Vickyt says, they don't like water. Mine usually try to jump out of the bath... into my arms and I and the bathrrom floor end up as soaked as the piggies. A long cuddle and a veggie treat afterwards will reassure them too. If you live somewhere cold or in winter, using a cool hair-dryer to (part)dry the piggies is also recommended although they also hate that... I do mine with a pot/bunch of parsley so they're too busy troughing to notice.drool

Where are you from by the way? I'm based in the UK but I am from France originally.
 
You might find it easier if you put something into the sink or bath for them to put their feet on when they are being washed (something like an old tea towel or flannel). They dont struggle as much when their feet are touching something they can grip onto instead of the slippery surface of the sink or bath.

Make sure the water is not too hot or cold too, mine like it fairly cool (just above room temperature) I think thats because the warmer water shocks them a little.

Its like anything though, the more you do it the more they will get used to it.
 
My piggies are long haired so I need to bathe them fairly regularly (even though I keep their bums neatly trimmed!). I bathed them today and for the first time, didn't have any squeaking like I was killing them! Trial and error has led me to the following method:

Step 1: Put an inflatable 'bath pillow' into the bath and put piggie on it, chatting to soothe them. They seem to feel comforted by sitting on this.
Step 2: Smooth some shampoo on to piggies' dry hair.
Step 3: With a GENTLE shower attachment on a very lukewarm setting, wet piggie and lather.
Step 4: Rinse.

I managed to do my two piggies at the same time and they didn't squeal, or really even seemed to really fuss at all.
 
MissPiggy78 said:
Trial and error has led me to the following method:

Step 1: Put an inflatable 'bath pillow' into the bath and put piggie on it, chatting to soothe them. They seem to feel comforted by sitting on this.
Step 2: Smooth some shampoo on to piggies' dry hair.
Step 3: With a GENTLE shower attachment on a very lukewarm setting, wet piggie and lather.
Step 4: Rinse.
Click to expand...

I do this aswel! Virtual high five! 8:)
 
Hi Squeakzzz, you said on another post that you have one guinea pig 7 - 8 weeks old. Is this the piggy that you have bathed twice? xx
 
To be honest with you, I don't really bath my piggies (unless they get dirty!). They are lucky enough not to have dry skin or other problems that make them need a bath. If your piggy gets stressed out by bathtime, then I wouldn't do it. I have one boy who tries to jump out of the bath and he cries...he just doesn't like it at all and he's much happier without a bath!:)
 
mine normally only get a bath in summer, when it's warm enough to prevent them getting a chill and they can dry off easily
tbh i wouldn't bathe your pig this young or this frequently, she's still getting used to you and her home and could probably do without the stress, imo

also having just re-read your post, it's pretty obvious it's stressing him out
please be more patient with him, he's not going to be fine about it at this age and so soon after you've got him
 
Squeakzzz said:
He was very dirt cuz he jumps around the house and makes a mess in his cage
Click to expand...

All piggies do this, but they wouldn't get a bath in the wild would they? My piggies only get a bath when they really need one, like if they have been rolling in mud in the run, or in the summer when they tend to get dirty more easily..
 
I tend to bath my piggies only when they get very smelly and dirty. Although with George, being long haired, it is more frequent. Over time though, he actually seems quite relaxed about it now, he has even laid down in my sink! Hes an angel, he even lifts his chin for me to wash his face:)).

But George is nearly 1 year now, so he knows the drill, and he feels more comfortable with it. He knows what I'm doing and that he'll have a HUGE piece of cucumber all to himself when I'm finishedxx>>>

I would avoid stressing out your piggy unless it is really nessersary, good luck x
 
Squeakzzz said:
He was very dirt cuz he jumps around the house and makes a mess in his cage
Click to expand...

It's a bit difficult to understand how one tiny piggy, less than 2 months old can get so dirty that needs to be bathed so frequently. As others have said, perhaps it is a bit too much for your piggy. How big is the cage you are keeping him in. x
 
I very rarely bath my pigs, they are quite clean animals and my lot only ever smell of hay. At most I'd say every 12 weeks :)
 
I rarely bath my piggies - no more than once or twice a year! They just don't need it & they hate it! mallethead

My boys frequently jump out of the sink (soaking me in the process!), try escapology (it never works, but they still try) & I am sure if I let them, they would nibble me. Unfortunately for them I do not allow biting or anything which would cause me harm! (They would tell you I was the meanest person in the world :x when they have baths, but sometimes it has to be done!)

Don't worry about your pig getting dirty - sometimes they do, but they don't need to be bathed very often. As long as they are happy, that is the main thing. Enjoy your pig & relax. x)

Michele xx
 
I only bathe my indoors piggies in winter when the dry air makes their skin a bit itchy or if they are very dirty from romping in the garden.

Have you got the right kind of cage and bedding for your piggy if it is so dirty so often? How often do you clean it out?
 
I've had my 3 Piggies for about 5 months now and they haven't needed a bath since ive had them - especially as they have been indoors - Have cleaned they're nails a few times though! haha
 
I'm glad other people don't bath their pigs often too - I was wondering if mine were a stinky lot! You can get a little spray or scented wipes specially for a pig if he's just a smelly boy, but honestly, I can't see what he's doing to be getting that dirty!
 
Tracyxx said:
I'm glad other people don't bath their pigs often too - I was wondering if mine were a stinky lot! You can get a little spray or scented wipes specially for a pig if he's just a smelly boy, but honestly, I can't see what he's doing to be getting that dirty!
Click to expand...

haha no, baxter does sometimes smell a tiny bit, but i usually just put some hay down for him to bury in and it gets rid of it
i think it's just his own masculine fragrance :))
 
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