cavylady
Bronze Member
just keep laughing
Posts: 254
|
Post by cavylady on Sept 22, 2015 1:10:20 GMT
does anyone know if dawn dishsoap is safe for guinea pigs to bathe them with and if bathing is a MUST in their care?
|
|
|
Post by bazookagoof on Sept 22, 2015 2:33:05 GMT
i would use shampoo designed for animals, and not dish soap. The good news is that guinea pigs don't really need frequent baths anyway. (Someone with more experience correct me if I'm wrong, please.)
|
|
|
Post by Bean on Sept 22, 2015 8:34:34 GMT
You're right bazookagoof! Definitely get a shampoo made for small animals, they have really sensitive skin, so anything like human shampoo or dish soap would be too harsh and could dry out or irritate their skin.
But they don't need bathing regularly at all, and not many pigs enjoy it. So unless they especially need it (for example, some older pigs don't clean their bottoms as well so benefit from the odd bum dunk, and some people use a buddy bath as a way of helping introduce two pigs), I'd not bother - just let them keep themselves clean. As long as their environment is kept clean, it's easy for them. I have 4 pigs aged between 1-3 and I think they've only ever been bathed once each.
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Sept 22, 2015 21:08:15 GMT
No, guinea pigs usually do not need to be washed unless they get into something. Dawn and other dish detergents are formulated to cut grease and oil, so it's overkill for guinea pigs. Pigs are extremely susceptible to cold drafts, so if they have to be bathed when it's cold, keep them very warm until they are completely dry. I pile a fleece in their cage, and let them go under it to play and sleep until they dry. I also drape the cage with fleece to keep out drafts, until they dry. I do not advise using a hair dryer to dry pigs. Not only do hairdryers scare most pigs, but the chance to accidentally burn them is too great. Some hays have a lot of dust and debris in them, and since pigs love to have as much hay as possible in which to play, hide, sleep and eat, a really dirty batch of hay can create a bath need. If that happens, usually a swim rather than a bath does the job. Just put them in warm water deep enough to cover them half way, so you can move the warm water all over them(except the ears and head). Towel dry them to just get the hair separated and drying. Usually, though, pigs groom themselves the same way cats do, and stay fairly clean. Sick pigs often don't have the energy to groom themselves, so they get rather messy. Don't wash the whole pig, but only the parts that are dirty enough to cause further health problems. Always make sure the pig is completely dry before putting it back in its habitat, and if necessary, change the bedding to keep it dry and clean. Pigs with diarrhea often need what I call a butt dunk, just washing their hind end, feet and that area of their undercarriage. Sick pigs that tend to lie in one place and not move much may get urine scald, which is when they stay in the urine too long, and it causes sores and hair loss. If you can, use a shampoo from the UK available at www.gorgeousguineas.com Those shampoos, conditions and other hair/skin treatments are formulated with the right chemical balance for guinea pigs. Before I bought products from Gorgeous Guineas, I used these very successfully: organixsouth.com/theraneem/pet-care.html They are very gentle, and have natural scents that didn't bother the pigs delicate respiratory systems. If you're looking for something local, try a shampoo listed as being for kittens/guinea pigs/etc., so it's very gentle. If you have a selection, remove the caps and give it a sniff. Keep it as low in scent as possible.
|
|
cavylady
Bronze Member
just keep laughing
Posts: 254
|
Post by cavylady on Sept 22, 2015 22:53:32 GMT
thank you for that was pretty useful information gorgeousguineas is kinda expensive but if its on an as needed basis than its worth it and should last years
|
|
Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
|
Post by Whimsy on Sept 22, 2015 23:07:14 GMT
I use a cat shampoo and I use very little of it. I basically just fill the sink, so there's enough water for my guinea pig's legs to get wet and then I use the shampoo on his bum and belly. The rest of his body doesn't get wet really. It doesn't take very long and I only really do it when he seems to be kind of smelly or I can see his bum is getting too sticky.
|
|
cavylady
Bronze Member
just keep laughing
Posts: 254
|
Post by cavylady on Sept 22, 2015 23:21:07 GMT
so cat shampoos safe for guinea pigs?
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Sept 23, 2015 19:04:40 GMT
Kitten shampoo is advised over cat shampoo, just because of the gentleness factor. When I first started with guinea pigs, I used a shampoo for cats, but the scent was too strong for the pigs. Diluted, it would probably be okay. Doing a butt dunk the way Whimsy did, with plenty of water to make sure the pig is totally rinsed, cat shampoo should be fine. Just remember that guinea pigs eat their cecals, a nutrients-filled poo that is larger and darker than regular poos. Most guinea pig owners call them vitapoos, but the official name is cecals. If the shampoo scent is really strong, when the pig puts its nose down there, it could cause respiratory problems. So the sniff test is important. Even if you like perfumes and scented items, remember that they have very finicky respiratory systems, and none of the scents are created for guinea pigs. Dilute the shampoo or use one with a very minimal scent. I'm also speaking as a piggy parent who had a pig allergic to everything, so I've tried to limit possible allergens and respiratory irritants from my pigs environments. I'm a bit overly cautious on that subject
|
|
cavylady
Bronze Member
just keep laughing
Posts: 254
|
Post by cavylady on Sept 24, 2015 0:20:23 GMT
alright thanks a ton i understand this bathing process now!
|
|
|
Post by christine on Sept 24, 2015 0:20:51 GMT
I use Squeaky Clean small animal shampoo, but I have only ever bathed my boy. After his neutering surgery - and since piggies are low to the ground and the incision was near his waste - the vet recommended I give him a gentle bath every few days. I was VERY careful because I didn't want to hurt him. He seemed to enjoy it though, and he loves being brushed after a bath. When I got Mama (my husband had quarantined her at his place in Victoria for several weeks) she was largely pregnant so I haven't bathed her at all. I won't for a while yet as I don't want to disrupt her nursing and baby-raising in any way. She needs a bath though, as she has a big strawberry stain on her lovely white flank. She dragged a strawberry slice into her box, ate part of it and then layed down on the rest of it. Pigs keep themselves very clean. I bath my boy occasonally as he tends to work bits of hair and hay into his penis area and that needs to be gently pulled out under warm water. He seems atypical as he likes to splash around and pad his paws about in the water. He also likes the water running over his body. He has very thick fur so it probably feels nice.
|
|
cavylady
Bronze Member
just keep laughing
Posts: 254
|
Post by cavylady on Sept 24, 2015 0:25:53 GMT
you got another pregnant piggie? more baby pictures please lol
|
|
|
Post by christine on Sept 24, 2015 3:19:39 GMT
Oh I've only had the one pregnant piggy fortunately, and that was somewhat of a surprise!! But the babies are just delightful and I will for sure be posting more baby pictures. I have so much fun with them.
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Sept 24, 2015 19:18:25 GMT
My Momma pig loved the water, loved to swim laps around the bath tub, and loved to swim under the water flowing from the faucet. I guess it's fairly unusual to find a pig who really likes water, but she did. Zippy and Harlequin sat on the island in the middle of the tub, looking miserable the whole time
|
|
|
Post by christine on Sept 25, 2015 5:22:17 GMT
I just had to give Mama a bath as she'd gotten one paw just covered in poop. I wasn't planning to bathe her but the paw was bothering her (she's a fastidious little thing), so she had a bath and had the BEST time. She was very playful in the water and completely unafraid under the tap. I gave her a good spa treatment and a nice long rinse, and then softly blow-dryed her fur on low setting while fluffing it with my fingers. Then she had a nail clip and a nice lap time and rub. She has really gotten to like affection and snuggles since she's had the babies.
I'm still so relieved every time I hold her that she managed okay with the pregnancy and birth. She's done so well, but she's still only around 13 weeks old - a baby herself really.
This is unrelated to bath time, but since I'm writing about her here's a little video from earlier in the day.
|
|
cavylady
Bronze Member
just keep laughing
Posts: 254
|
Post by cavylady on Sept 25, 2015 18:02:35 GMT
LOVE the cute piggie video!
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Sept 25, 2015 23:24:10 GMT
Aw! She's adorable
|
|
|
Post by Ch3lc on Sept 27, 2015 16:32:54 GMT
Piggies usually need to be bathed every 3 mo. or so I use sensitive puppy shampoo and after, dry then with a towel and blow dry them on cool with a diffuser so it wont overheat them Your pigs are very cute, good luck!
|
|
cavylady
Bronze Member
just keep laughing
Posts: 254
|
Post by cavylady on Sept 27, 2015 16:39:06 GMT
Thank you!
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Sept 28, 2015 17:09:05 GMT
She certainly is.
Hugs Jo xx
|
|
|
Post by irina13 on Oct 17, 2015 18:08:23 GMT
What about becutan,shampoo for babies?
|
|