Questions about bathing, a skinny pig

[Lauraarse03]

Just recently rescued a skinny pig I was just wondering if I bathe them if there’s any special soap I needed if there is any special thing I needed to do I keep reading things about coconut oil and then lightly rubbing off the dry skin and oils and then I’m reading don’t wash them unless needed, just want to do it the right way the first time there’s a whole bunch of special skinny pig shampoos that I’m seeing online. I’d sure if I needed to buy something like that. Thanks everybody for all the good information and help.

 

[Roselina]

Just recently rescued a skinny pig I was just wondering if I bathe them if there’s any special soap I needed if there is any special thing I needed to do I keep reading things about coconut oil and then lightly rubbing off the dry skin and oils and then I’m reading don’t wash them unless needed, just want to do it the right way the first time there’s a whole bunch of special skinny pig shampoos that I’m seeing online. I’d sure if I needed to buy something like that. Thanks everybody for all the good information and help.

Hello the info I got was NOT to wash my skinny pig - I’m sure @Lorcan can advise as he is an expert with skinny pigs
My Freddy does get a little dry skin here and there and I just monitor it and it always settles down - he gets the odd little scratch but I leave and it clears up - just be mindful not to have sharp edges etc on any hideys and toys
Wood Green rescue ( where he came from) gave me a pot of calendula cream if ness and my Vet said it would be ok but also said best to let his skin settle on its own. She also said skinny pigs don’t really need creams/shampoo as this can upset the ph balance of their skin.
I have only used coconut oil on my furry piggy when his grease gland was mucky

 

[Lorcan]

I never washed either of my skinnies and my recommendation would be to avoid it. Now if it was for treatment for a skin issue (like a fungal infection, or lice or mites) then obviously that would be on the recommendation of a vet, but they absolutely don't need washed regularly. You can easily strip the skin of its natural oils, and in using coconut oil you can mess with them too. It's too easy to cause more problems than get fixed.

 

[Lauraarse03]

OK, thank you so much. I watched so many videos on how to take care of guinea pigs and everybody says something different but I always go by what everybody here on the forum says. it’s never steered me wrong once lol obviously if they were in some kind of pain or distress, I would go right to my vet, but any questions I always just come to you guys because like I said there’s so much information on the web and everybody says all these different things. I just don’t wanna do the wrong thing everybody thinks again

 

[Lorcan]

Don't worry about asking! Better you ask and get an answer than not knowing.

A lot of things about using stuff on skinnies comes from people thinking skinnies are naked of course they need some moisturiser help. And I can see where the the thought comes from, but that doesn't help when the info is as confusing as it is.

He's stunning though.

 

[Lauraarse03]

Don't worry about asking! Better you ask and get an answer than not knowing.

A lot of things about using stuff on skinnies comes from people thinking skinnies are naked of course they need some moisturiser help. And I can see where the the thought comes from, but that doesn't help when the info is as confusing as it is.

He's stunning though.

Thank you so much again and you’re absolutely right so much info out there it gets so confusing just want what’s best for all my little babies lol happy and healthy