Guinea pigs are known for being generally low-maintenance pets, especially when it comes to grooming needs. While this may be true, for the most part, there are some grooming responsibilities you have as a guinea pig owner that are essential to maintaining their health and well-being. Here are our top 6 tips for grooming your guinea pig.
Why Do Guinea Pigs Need Grooming?
Did you know they clean their fur with the white liquid from their eyes? This makes them well-equipped to keep themselves clean. However, they do need some help from their owners to maintain other aspects of their grooming routine. Things like nail trimming and ear cleaning are essential to your guinea pig’s health so it’s important to stay on top of these tasks as a dedicated piggie owner. Grooming time is also great for bonding and can help your guinea pigs get used to the handling they would be subjected to at the vet.
Tip #1: Nail Trimming
Since guinea pigs are typically kept as indoor pets in most parts of the world, their nails do not get worn down naturally. Soft bedding and a more sedentary lifestyle make regular maintenance of their nails a necessary routine. Typically, you will want to trim your guinea pig’s nails once every two weeks to a month. How often you trim your piggie’s nails depends on their age, activity level, and diet. Younger pigs and those fed balanced diets often require more frequent nail trims while older guinea pigs may only need a trim every month or so.
Guinea pigs are prone to ingrown nails, where the nail begins to curl back towards the foot and can contribute to the development of bumblefoot. Regular nail trims can help prevent this and help maintain a healthy quick. The quick is the blood vessel in the nail, which can typically be differentiated from the nail based on color (often darker or will have a red hue when a light is shone on it) and will grow longer when nails are not maintained. A longer quick makes it more difficult to trim the nails without bleeding.
You can trim your guinea pig’s nails using regular human nail clippers or those designed for trimming cat or dog nails. If this is your first time cutting your guinea pig’s nails it can be easier to try out human nail clippers as it can be easier to see how much you are trimming.
Tip #2: Bathing
Bathing your guinea pig is a much-debated topic. For the most part, your guinea pig is great at maintaining the cleanliness of their coat especially when kept in a guinea pig cage that is properly maintained, however, there are occasions when bathing is necessary.
As guinea pigs age and become more sedentary it can become more common for their underside to become soiled. This can increase the risk of UTIs and other health problems. Aside from regular spot cleaning and full cage maintenance, the occasional shallow bath to clean their underside can help minimize the risk of developing these health conditions.
Male guinea pigs have scent glands found at the base of their spine near where a tail would be. These glands produce a waxy substance that can build up and cause issues like infection if not properly cared for. The best way to remove this is through regular shallow baths using coconut oil to loosen the build-up and then rinsing with warm water.
Regardless of the reason you bathe your guinea pig, it’s important to remember that they have sensitive skin that can dry out when bathed too often. At most, you should only bathe your guinea pig around 2-3 times per year unless otherwise directed by your vet.
Tip #3: Brushing
Depending on your guinea pig’s coat, they may require more or less frequent brushing. Those with shorter coats can benefit from brushing every few weeks or so. However, long-haired guinea pigs need brushing daily (or at least a few times a week) to avoid knotting and to remove any bedding or other debris caught in their fur.
Brushing can be a great bonding experience for you and your piggie, especially if you are socializing a new furry family member. Additionally, it gives you time to inspect their skin and coat. Gently part their hair in various sections and also check behind their ears. Pay attention to any signs of dryness, flaking, redness, or irritation, as these can be signs of mites, ringworm, or other skin conditions that require vet attention.
Tip #4: Coat Care
Short-haired guinea pigs typically do not need coat care beyond occasional bathing and semi-regular brushing. However, long-haired breeds require a bit more attention to maintain their beautiful coats.
Long-haired piggies typically require semi-regular hair trims. This includes trimming hair away from the face and eyes and trimming hair near the rump. Less often, you may find that you need to do a full trim to keep their fur from becoming soiled, or if you notice them walking on their fur. You do not need to cut their hair short; just trim off enough to make them more comfortable; think of it like the hair trim you get at your salon for regular maintenance, except you are your guinea pig’s hairdresser!
Tip #5: Ear Cleaning
For the most part, guinea pig ears should stay relatively clean. However, an important part of grooming and supporting their well-being is monitoring their ear health. You want to check for any dirt or debris in the ear, and any signs of irritation. If you notice any dirt, gently remove it using a clean Q-tip with a bit of mineral oil. Just like your own ears – do not put the Q-tip into the ear canal, focus only on the external portion of the ear.
If you notice regular debris in the ear or any irritation, make sure to schedule a vet visit, as this can be a sign of mites or other ear conditions requiring care.
Tip #6: Dental Care
Dental care for your piggie will be minimal if you provide your guinea pig with a healthy, balanced diet with lots of timothy hay. Guinea pig teeth grow constantly, and without unlimited access to hay, they will become overgrown. Overgrown teeth require a vet visit for trimming.
It can be beneficial to add a dental check to your regular grooming routine to ensure their teeth are not overgrown, damaged or causing any other issues. You can often get a good look at their teeth when feeding them things such as berries, bananas, or cherry tomatoes. If that doesn’t work, wait until you catch a yawn and you’re sure to get a good view!
