Should I Bathe My Piggies?

[Mo & bolts mum]

Hiya!

So my piggies were dumped on my doorstep 3 weeks ago, and after having a long couple of weeks taking them to the vets, buying their cage, accessories etc, and giving them lots of bonding time, I have decided, that they do smell quite a bit! As a new piggie owner, I am just wondering wether is I safe to bathe them, and if it is, how/where shall I do it?
Poppie xx

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Hi if you feel they require a bath then I don't see the harm in it! you can purchase piggy friendly shampoo from places like pets at home or order some onine. Regular baths aren't advised however because it can dry their skin out- though I wash Mo's bum quite a bit because he gets quite stinky and dirty from skidding his bum through the hay. You can wash your piggies in a tub or he sink or the bath. Just be prepared for a wiggly piggy that might slip out of your grasp. I think there is a thread on here that sums up bathing a bit better then his haha and contains images. Just be sure to dry them thoroughly to prevent them getting cold.

 

[Deleted member 114675]

this thread is good ...

How To Bathe Guinea Pigs - Including Ears & Grease Glands

 

[Mo & bolts mum]

Thankyou! Do you know any shampoo that is good? And should I get my piggies neutered, or is there no point unless they are to be bonded with females?

 

[pig in the city]

Gorgeous Guineas - Aromatherapy skincare products for guinea pigs do shampoos for piggies. Male piggies can have a distinctive odour especially if they are sexually aroused (!) but its not an offensive smell, just a bit pungent

As you say there is no point neutering the boys unless you intend to get them girlfriends. Well done for taking them in.

 

[chesca_27]

I would check out Gorgeous Guineas - they have a huge range of highly safe shampoos, creams and ointments.

As for neutering, that is totally unnecessary unless you plan on having one neutered boar with a herd of sows.

 

[Wiebke]

Hiya!

So my piggies were dumped on my doorstep 3 weeks ago, and after having a long couple of weeks taking them to the vets, buying their cage, accessories etc, and giving them lots of bonding time, I have decided, that they do smell quite a bit! As a new piggie owner, I am just wondering wether is I safe to bathe them, and if it is, how/where shall I do it?
Poppie xx

You may want to give them a bath if they are really filthy and very whiffy, especially if you do not know their background.
Here are our bathing and boar care tips:
Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths
How To Bathe Guinea Pigs - Including Ears & Grease Glands

Have you double checked their gender? Please be aware that neutering does not change social boar behaviour or their personality in any way; it does not prevent fall-outs that are caused by personlity/dominance clashes nor does it really curb the output of "eau de boar", which is spread via testosterone laden urine (my latest "husboar" is definitely well over any allowed emission levels when it comes to stinking up the piggy room! ). All it does is take away the ability to make babies and allows a boar to live safely with a sow or more after a 6 weeks post-op wait. Many vets that are not piggy savvy are not aware of this and see guinea pigs as a kind of mini-rabbit, which they definitely aren't!

You can find more information for new owners in our guide collection, which comprises the most often asked for questions as well as some important basic information which new owners are often not aware of. You may find it helpful. New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Just a note on shampoo please don't buy the Johnsons "small animal" shampoo, if you read the back it actually says to "wear eye protection/gloves" when using the product. Definitely not ideal to put it on your beloved animals if it's not okay to put on our own skin lol idk why it's still made.

I use gorgeous guineas for my piggies too, but it's been a over a year since I bathed two of mine and never bathed the other two!

 

[Mo & bolts mum]

Thankyou all, I will order some from gorgeous guineas later! Yes, my piggies are defo males as I have asked for the vets and the rescue shelters opinion, and once again, thankyou, this forum is so helpful!