In spite of what you may have heard, guinea pigs are very easy to care for and require little maintenance. However, these furry little animals will still require some regular care and grooming your guinea pig is an important part of being a responsible pet owner.
Cutting Your Guinea Pig's Nails
Your guinea pig's nails are going to need trimming, or they will get long and painful.
There's a simple and inexpensive alternative to cutting your guinea pig's nails by putting a few things with rough surfaces into their cage like rocks and bricks for them to claw at. Just be sure not to use any stones or bricks with holes in them that the guinea pig could get stuck in.
Much like any other animal with claws or nails, guinea pigs have blood vessels that run through them. These vessels are often called "the quick" and are easy to see with light colored nails, you'll notice the pinkish color extending from the bone or the top part down to the toe.
If your guinea pig's nails are completely clear, your job is a lot easier as all you'll have to do is cut above that pink area.
Black nailed guinea pigs rarely have their nails trimmed because it's so hard to see where to cut, but it's definitely not impossible to do with some time, practice, and patience.
If the quick is accidentally cut into, the bleeding must be stopped as soon as possible. Numerous pet stores sell what's called "Quick Stop" that is used to stop the bleeding but if you don't have this product handy, simple iodine will also work.
Since this process makes guinea pigs nervous, they're probably going to squirm and wiggle around quite a bit, making it a good idea to enlist some help beforehand. Use a soft towel to wrap around the guinea pig while holding them with their feet sticking out for the other person to cut.
If no one is close by to help, a helpful trick using a tennis racket can make the process much simpler. Put the guinea pig on the racket allowing their nails to poke through, also be sure to cover them with something to keep them feeling safe and secure.
Guinea Pig Teeth
Like most rodents, your guinea pig has two incisors that are constantly growing. If they grow too long, you need to take your guinea pig to the vet to get them cut, or your pig won't be able to eat.
Eating hard foods keep these teeth in check, which is why you should always keep things in the cage for your pet to chew on - like toilet paper rolls, for instance.
Hay cubes and pieces of stale bread are often used for keeping the incisors at their optimal length, but even with all of these things you will still need to check a guinea pig's teeth often.
Look for things like chipped or broken teeth, both of which have the potential to cause serious problems. If you do notice a break or chip, contact your vet for an appointment.
Brushing
You should regularly brush your guinea pig to keep their coat clean, shining, and healthy. For long haired guinea pigs, daily brushing is vital - for short haired guinea pigs, a few times a week works well.
Your guinea pig will appreciate a soft bristled brush such as those used for babies if they have short hair and using a metal, greyhound comb on longer fur will remove any excess and also help to minimize shedding.
Bathing Your Guinea Pig
Let's get one thing clear - guinea pigs don't like to be bathed. They become highly stressed when you do decide to dunk them in water, and this can lower their immune system.
The vast majority of guinea pigs will live their entire lives without ever being bathed, which is exactly how they like it. Unless your pet got into something he or she shouldn't have and is now dirty or smells, or your vet has instructed you otherwise, a guinea pig should never need bathed.
If the time ever comes when grooming your guinea pig must involve a bath, always use a shampoo that's designed either for infants or for kittens, but not cats as it must be gentle enough for their delicate skin. Medicated shampoos should only be used to clean guinea pigs when directed by a veterinarian.
Cutting Your Guinea Pig's Nails
Your guinea pig's nails are going to need trimming, or they will get long and painful.
There's a simple and inexpensive alternative to cutting your guinea pig's nails by putting a few things with rough surfaces into their cage like rocks and bricks for them to claw at. Just be sure not to use any stones or bricks with holes in them that the guinea pig could get stuck in.
Much like any other animal with claws or nails, guinea pigs have blood vessels that run through them. These vessels are often called "the quick" and are easy to see with light colored nails, you'll notice the pinkish color extending from the bone or the top part down to the toe.
If your guinea pig's nails are completely clear, your job is a lot easier as all you'll have to do is cut above that pink area.
Black nailed guinea pigs rarely have their nails trimmed because it's so hard to see where to cut, but it's definitely not impossible to do with some time, practice, and patience.
If the quick is accidentally cut into, the bleeding must be stopped as soon as possible. Numerous pet stores sell what's called "Quick Stop" that is used to stop the bleeding but if you don't have this product handy, simple iodine will also work.
Since this process makes guinea pigs nervous, they're probably going to squirm and wiggle around quite a bit, making it a good idea to enlist some help beforehand. Use a soft towel to wrap around the guinea pig while holding them with their feet sticking out for the other person to cut.
If no one is close by to help, a helpful trick using a tennis racket can make the process much simpler. Put the guinea pig on the racket allowing their nails to poke through, also be sure to cover them with something to keep them feeling safe and secure.
Guinea Pig Teeth
Like most rodents, your guinea pig has two incisors that are constantly growing. If they grow too long, you need to take your guinea pig to the vet to get them cut, or your pig won't be able to eat.
Eating hard foods keep these teeth in check, which is why you should always keep things in the cage for your pet to chew on - like toilet paper rolls, for instance.
Hay cubes and pieces of stale bread are often used for keeping the incisors at their optimal length, but even with all of these things you will still need to check a guinea pig's teeth often.
Look for things like chipped or broken teeth, both of which have the potential to cause serious problems. If you do notice a break or chip, contact your vet for an appointment.
Brushing
You should regularly brush your guinea pig to keep their coat clean, shining, and healthy. For long haired guinea pigs, daily brushing is vital - for short haired guinea pigs, a few times a week works well.
Your guinea pig will appreciate a soft bristled brush such as those used for babies if they have short hair and using a metal, greyhound comb on longer fur will remove any excess and also help to minimize shedding.
Bathing Your Guinea Pig
Let's get one thing clear - guinea pigs don't like to be bathed. They become highly stressed when you do decide to dunk them in water, and this can lower their immune system.
The vast majority of guinea pigs will live their entire lives without ever being bathed, which is exactly how they like it. Unless your pet got into something he or she shouldn't have and is now dirty or smells, or your vet has instructed you otherwise, a guinea pig should never need bathed.
If the time ever comes when grooming your guinea pig must involve a bath, always use a shampoo that's designed either for infants or for kittens, but not cats as it must be gentle enough for their delicate skin. Medicated shampoos should only be used to clean guinea pigs when directed by a veterinarian.
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Want to find out more about Guinea Pig Grooming, then visit David Emery's site on how to choose the best guinea pig grooming for your needs.
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