How to Give your guinea Pig A Bath

If you have a guinea pig as a pet, then you know they can be a bit smelly, but did you know you can give your piggy bath? Today, I'll walk you through how to bathe your little guinea friend!

We adopted our guinea pigs from the local humane society. We don't know much about their 2 year history prior to moving to our house. It's unclear if they had experienced bath time with their previous owners, but Piggly and Wiggly enjoy it now. Healthy guinea pigs can be given a bath every two months or so. Bathing your guinea pig will make cuddling with your pet more enjoyable and make all the members of your house happier.

“Some guinea pigs will be uncomfortable in water. Offer one hand for their front feet to rest on to help them feel more secure and use your other hand to wash and rinse your piggy."

Before you remove your guinea pigs from their habitat, gather all of your supplies.

Guinea Pig Bathtime Supplies:

Kaytee Squeaky Clean Critter Shampoo or other guinea pig approved shampoo

A small plastic dishpan or rubbermaid type container

Non-Slip bathtub mat (or towel for bottom of tub)

Cup for rinsing

Towels for drying

Small heater

Hair Dryer

Critter Comb (for long-haired breeds)

What shampoo should I use?

Use a guinea pig safe shampoo. Do not use dog or other animal shampoo unless it clearly states that it is safe for guinea pigs. I like Squeaky Clean Critter Shampoo made by Kaytee. It lathered and rinsed well. We ordered from Amazon and it arrived quickly.

Where should I wash my guinea pig?

Choose a draft free room with a deep sink or bathtub. Piggly and Wiggly receive their baths in the boys' bathroom because it is small and has easy access to the bathtub. You could also use a deep laundry room or utility sink. Use a small basic plastic dishpan to act as a washpan for the piggies. Place a non-slip bathtub mat or towel under the washpan to keep it from slipping.

How do I wash my guinea pig?

Turn on the water and let it run until reaching a warm, but not hot temperature. Place your guinea pig in the washpan. Use the cup to rinse your piggy. Apply about a nickel size dollop of shampoo to your piggy and lather. Allow the water in the washpan to only fill to approximately one or two inches deep. Keep a hand on your piggy at all times. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Remove your guinea friend from the washpan and dry with a soft towel.

Will my guinea pig be scared of the bath?

Some guinea pigs will be uncomfortable in water. Our guinea friends have two very different personalities as yours likely do too! Piggly is calm and likes to cuddle. Wiggly, as his name suggests, does not like to be held and loves to explore. Piggly tolerates bath time a little more than Wiggly and is easier to bathe. Both, however, do not like to have all four feet in the water for the entire bath. Offer one hand for their front feet to rest on to help them feel more secure and use your other hand to wash and rinse.

Can I bathe my long-haired guinea pig?

Yes, follow the same steps above as you would for a short-haired guinea pig. Long-haired guinea pigs benefit from regular grooming and tend to require a little more maintenance to appear fresh and clean. Piggly is a long-haired guinea pig and requires a bit more grooming than Wiggly. At the end of the bath, it helps to use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to dry your long-haired pig's fur. Then, use a critter comb to remove any tangles. This is also a good time to examine your pet a little more closely for any signs of health or coat issues. Our piggies also need periodic nail trims and it is easier to accomplish nail trimming after their feet are clean and nails are softened. Use caution not to cut the quick!

As you can see, bathing your guinea pig is not too difficult and makes for a more enjoyable pet. Engage your kids in taking good care of their furry friends by allowing them to bathe their guinea pig on their own (with adult supervision, of course!).

#guineapig #guineapigbath #guineapigpets

I hope this step-by-step guide for guinea pig bath time was helpful to you and your family!

Happy Bath Day! - Amy

Note: We are not veterinarians and this article is not intended as veterinary advice. Always consult your vet for professional advice and evaluation of your pet. The experiences, opinions, and images we share are exclusively our own. We hope sharing our experiences benefits you and your family!