Bathing

[Tommywing5b7]

Hi everyone, once again I have done some research but have uncovered conflicting reports. As far as bathing your (in my case female) pigs how often should you do so?

They're all short hair, no obvious grime etc, but some experts (Saskia from The USA La Guinea pig rescue) suggests it's a preventative measure against parasites & fungus as much as anything else.

Anyway Just wondered what other similar owners were doing. Thanks!

 

[PigglePuggle]

I have never bathed 6 of my 8 piggies, in over a year! Bathing should really be on a hygiene issue or vet recommendation basis. So I have given Piggle a few bum baths since she developed an overactive grease gland that gets brown and crusty and uncomfortable, and I've given Jezzy floof a couple of bum baths for having floofy wee pants and wee feet where the wee irritated her skin.
Unless your piggy smells bad and has noticeably yellow/brown bum fur (which should always be checked by the vet anyway) there's usually no need for baths, especially for young healthy ladies!

 

[Bogwoppit75]

Hi.. i have two girls and although changed twice weekly and old hay taken out each morning... i normally wash once a month... hope this helps.....

 

[Betsy]

I have given my lot a bath but very rarely. Betsy gets a bum bath when she her bum starts to get all matted. Being an outside piggy she didn't get a bum bath or bum trim from October to March and really stank! It was too cold outside to give her a bum bath and keep her in overnight to dry off. She didn't notice and the other piggies never minded.

 

[artcasper]

I have not bathed Pip in about 2 1/2 yrs .... she doesnt need it... she doesn't smell and is clean lol!

 

[FarmGirl]

I very rarely bath my girls, and my current boar Jasper is quite a clean lad too.

When I’ve had long haired guineas, I’ve opted for regular bum trims (and complete summer trims) rather than bathing unless really necessary but I’ve got outside piggies too so have to be careful. Two of my first guineas were rex boars with impressive grease glands so they got bum baths more regularly!

So it depends on the piggie, their habits and health/vet recommendations I think :-)

 

[Tommywing5b7]

Thanks everyone for the tips. Still a bit of a mixed bag, but I don't want to put the girls under any unnecessary stress. I'll leave it for now but once my fleece arrives I'll be extra clean conscious I guess!

 

[Swissgreys]

If your guinea pig looks clean and smells good then they don't need a bath.
Ruby got a couple of bum baths when she was struggling with bladder sludge.
We have had Lucy for 3.5 years and she has never had a bath.
We have had harry for 1.5 years and he has never had a bath.

 

[Seven7]

My boy Finn gets bum bathes becuase of his long hair that smell if unchecked. Mine are indoor piggies so I do have to keep up with the cleaning of their living spaces and long haired Finn, otherwise the house will smell.