How to wash a guinea pig: bathe at home in stages

All owners sooner or later begin to be interested in the question of how to wash a guinea pig. Of course, these pets are as clean as cats. And, by and large, they themselves monitor their hygiene. However, according to experts, these charming rodents should be washed about once a month.

Preparatory stage for bathing a guinea pig

First a step that a caring person must take the owner is to take care of the preparation for bathing:

• Despite its name, the guinea pig does not like water at all. So, she will be very nervous, almost certainly. In addition, do not forget that guinea pigs are nervous, impressionable creatures. So, the first task of the owner is to calm the pet. Of course, delicacy is a universal remedy. You also need to take the pig in your arms, stroke it, talk to it. It is easier to buy the pig that has complete confidence in the person. Therefore, contact must be built in advance.
• If there are several pigs in the queue for bathing, it is better to follow the order. Firstly, this way the pets themselves are calmer – it is easier for them to calm down, they do not injure each other. Secondly, it is much easier to keep track of one pet than several at the same time.
• Before bathing, it is desirable to remove too obvious pollution. So, if the pet was actively running and picked up pieces of dirt, it is better to clean the rodent from them. A well wrung out damp cloth will help.
• You need to bathe a guinea pig in the place from which she, even jumping in a panic, is not injured. After all, it is not always possible to keep track – pigs are quite nimble creatures. Therefore, bathing them on some high table is undesirable.
• It is advisable to lay a rag on the bottom of the container. This will avoid slipping the mumps and, therefore, injury, panic.

How to wash a guinea pig: bathing at home step by step

А here is how the bath itself is performed:

• Speaking about how to wash guinea pig, it should be noted immediately that it is not necessary fill the container with water to the top. Water rising 5 cm above the bottom – exactly what is needed! At the same time, it is desirable of course, so that the sides of the container are high. the most best water temperature as evidenced specialists – room, warm. Cold will catch a pet cold, and hot dry out already sensitive skin this rodent.
• Now put the pig in the water. Do This needs to be done as smoothly as possible. First, the pet is immersed in the rear paws, and then you can lower and front.
• Required need to set aside some time so that the rodent gets used to the water. Reaction at all animals are individual. especially shy individuals will be scared to death, if they do not see the owner nearby. therefore it is important that the person is near with a pig, not leaving for a minute. If the pet starts to get nervous, it is worth offer him a meal.
• Now you can scoop some water into the bucket or hand – and pour it over the pet. Wherein care must be taken to ensure that the water got on the muzzle, in the ears, mouth and eyes. It will not be superfluous to cover at this moment with the other hand all these sections.
• Has arrived detergent turn. Need to it was a special shampoo designed for guinea pigs. Powdered do not use cleaning agents should – they can clog the respiratory rodent path. Shampoo poured into hand you need to spread it a little in the palm of your hand, and then – apply to the fur.
• А now it remains to wash off the shampoo. Sweep follows all means to the last droplets. Otherwise it is very easy to call pet skin irritation.
• Has arrived drying turn. For this, warm towel to put in a pig, and then wrap it in it, wet with gentle movements. If Towel is too wet, needs to be changed it. The most important at this stage is that the pig not frozen, but she can easily do it сделать.
• Now you can arm yourself with a brush with a soft bristles – and process the fur with it. This is especially true for hosts. impressive coat. Else wool falls off, tangles are formed.
• One can whether to use a hair dryer? If the pet is not of the skittish and scared that the towels it won’t be enough! Temperature only and the air flow rate should be minimal.

A guinea pig does not belong to the category of those pets that need to be bathed frequently. However, from time to time, a caring owner should arrange such a “bath day”. After all, hygiene is another contribution to the health of the pet.