Grooming for your Guinea Pig!
If you want to own a pet that will not require too much of your time, then a guinea pig is ideal for you. Guinea pig grooming needs just a few day-to-day tasks.
The Nails
As in any other pet, you will need to trim your guinea pig’s nails before they become too long and painful.
Another way to keep their nails trimmed is by giving them hard surfaces, such as rocks and bricks, that wear down their nails. Brick would be the best option as long as it doesn’t have holes in them.
Animals have blood vessels in their nails and guinea pigs are no exception. The ‘quick’, as they are called, can be easy seen if the nails are clear. But if the nails are black, you will not likely be able to see its pink color.
If you are cutting clear nails, trim it over the pink area of the blood vessel.
Owners whose pets have black nails, prefer to cut little and more often to make sure they don’t accidentally cut the blood vessel. But you can get used to it in the long run and be able to determine the extent of the blood vessels.
But if you do accidentally clip the quick, you will have the bleeding to attend to. There is a product called the “QuickStop” that stops the bleeding. Or you can dab iodine on the nail.
Trimming your guinea pig’s nails is a little like a wrestling match. Find someone to help you hold him while you do the clipping. It is best to wrap him with a towel with his paws exposed.
If you don’t have an assistant, a racket is going to be a big help. Place him on top of the racket with his nails sticking out and cover him so he will not be jumpy.
The Teeth
Guinea pigs have incisors that naturally grow in most rodents. If they become too long and impede their feeding, have a vet cut them down to size.
Like their nails, giving them something hard to chew on will help in keeping the incisors trimmed.
Stale bread and hay cubes also keep their incisors trimmed, but you will still have to check them from time to time.
Chipped or broken teeth is detrimental to the health of your pet. So if he has any, go see your vet.
Brushing
Your guinea pig’s coat also needs brushing. If his hair is long, daily brushing is needed to keep it clean and healthy. If it is short, a few times a week is sufficient.
Combing your guinea pig’s fur is best with the use of a baby’s comb. Your pet will surely appreciate the soft bristles. However, for long-haired cavies, a metal comb will be able to remove tangles and lessen shedding.
Bathing
Bathing is not natural to a guinea pig. You don’t need to bathe them, in fact, you shouldn’t bathe them. It will just make them highly agitated and can lower their immune system.
Bathing is not a natural part of a guinea pig’s life. So don’t bathe them unless your vet tells you to, or they are covered with muck.
If you really need to bathe them, baby shampoo would be a good choice. Shampoo for kittens would also be good. Don’t bathe them with medicated shampoo unless your vet tells you to.
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