Taking guinea pigs to groomers

[Princess and angel]

Hey everyone
I’ve booked my guinea pigs into a groomers as I’m to scared to cut there nail one of them is just getting a nail trim and my other one is getting a nail trim and a haircut has anyone got any tips to keep them calm they don’t like being picked up so it will be a struggle but the groomer is a guinea pig rescue so she is very good with pigs but I just want them to be okay and calm driving there and getting them done

 

[CTWC]

Hi how far away is the groomers? I've never taken mine to one so can't really offer much advice

 

[Betsy]

I groom my piggies myself and wrote the forum guide to hair cutting.

An Illustrated Guide to Hair Cutting

Take some of their favourite food to try to distract them while being groomed. It doesn't work all the time especially in a stressful situation but it may help.

I've just give Miss Bramble her yearly furdo.


Miss Bramble and her Bikini Beach Bod

 

[Ramia]

I find Chez is wiggly and squeaky when the vet nurse does his nails but when he gets home he just zooms about like nothing happened, so don't worry about your pigs.

 

[Truffolo]

Which country / state are you in? It's hot here at the moment and we have to be careful of heat stroke. Piggies can overheat, even in temperatures that don't seem that bad for us. The grooming sessions shouldn't take long, so perhaps just offering some leaves of Romaine and cucumber should be enough if your piggies want them. They should have a bit of hay in the carrier to munch on all the time and a bit more in a bag for a refill if necessary. And some water in case they are thirsty.

 

[Truffolo]

I think it's great that you are giving the rescue the chance to raise some funds

 

[Princess and angel]

Hi how far away is the groomers? I've never taken mine to one so can't really offer much advice

It’s a 20 minute drive

 

[Princess and angel]

Which country / state are you in? It's hot here at the moment and we have to be careful of heat stroke. Piggies can overheat, even in temperatures that don't seem that bad for us. The grooming sessions shouldn't take long, so perhaps just offering some leaves of Romaine and cucumber should be enough if your piggies want them. They should have a bit of hay in the carrier to munch on all the time and a bit more in a bag for a refill if necessary. And some water in case they are thirsty.

Thankyou and England Surrey

 

[Princess and angel]

I groom my piggies myself and wrote the forum guide to hair cutting.

An Illustrated Guide to Hair Cutting

Take some of their favourite food to try to distract them while being groomed. It doesn't work all the time especially in a stressful situation but it may help.

I've just give Miss Bramble her yearly furdo.


Miss Bramble and her Bikini Beach Bod

Thankyou I did try and cut her hair but she just kept running away and I was scared that I would pull her skin

 

[Princess and angel]

I think it's great that you are giving the rescue the chance to raise some funds

Thankyou that’s why I chose her and not the other groomers

 

[CTWC]

Make sure they have hay and some hydrating snacks like cucumber for the journey and put a fleece or pad out of their house into the carrier with them so they feel safer

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

Thankyou I did try and cut her hair but she just kept running away and I was scared that I would pull her skin

I think it's good you're getting help.

I don't have guineas anymore, but when I did I often got help with claw-clipping, even giving meds and syringe-feeding. There are particular psychological reasons why these activities are very difficult and stressful for me (which doesn't have to be your issue), but the guineas sensed my worry and insecurity etc and it made them flighty and probably stressed as well, so it was alround better for somebody else to do it. So, even if "everybody else" manages, doesn't mean you have to.

I hope you and your guineas feel safe and comfortable at the groomer's.

 

[Merab]

I usually take my current pair to the vet nurse for nail trims.
Although I can do it myself there are far too many black nails now.

I had a long haired piggy who needed an annual furdo as well as regular bum trims.
During Covid I offered to do my husband’s hair for him.
His response was to say that he’d pass as he saw what I did to Priscilla

Before

After

The makings of a Tribble

Hope all goes well for you at the groomers.
Before and after pictures welcome

 

[fluffysal]

There's absolutely no shame in getting someone else to do the grooming for you.