Guinea Pig Grooming
Nail clipping: Guinea pigs need their nails trimmed once a month, or their nails may grow too long, and snag or break which can be uncomfortable and cause pain, or even cause bumblefoot. When cutting your guinea pigs’ nails, you need to avoid cutting the quick, which is the blood supply. if you cut the quick, it will bleed. if your guinea pigs nails are white, it should be easy to see the pink part, which is the quick. if its black, then that’s a lot harder. Try shining a flashlight under the nail to get an idea of where the quick might be. avoid cutting too close to the quick!
What you need:
- Human or small animal nail cutter
- Flashlight (if your guinea pigs nails are black)
- Styptic powder (just in case you cut the nail too deep, use this to stop the bleeding)
- Treats: Guinea pigs normally hate having their nails trimmed, as it can be quite stressful for them, so use treats to distract them. choose healthy treats such a veggies.
Next, place your guinea pig on your lap or a flat surface such as a table so their bottom will be supported, and give them a treat so they feel relaxed. Then, gently but securely grip your guinea pig’s foot, begin carefully trimming the nails, careful not to cut the quick. Give your guinea pigs treats throughout the process to help them feel relaxed. If you find it difficult, ask your veterinarian to show you how.
Bathing: Guinea pigs normally keep themselves clean without your assistance. Bathing can strip their coat of essential oils along with causing dry skin, and also its a very stressful experience for them. However there are some exceptions. This can include medical reasons, such as fungal or parasitic infections. In this case, your veterinarian may prescribe a special shampoo, if you suspect your guinea pig may have an infection, consult your veterinarian first. Another reason may be if your guinea pig got into something gross, it may be necessary, or elderly guinea pigs may also struggle to keep their coat clean.
Brushing
Guinea pigs, especially long haired kinds, sometimes need to be brushed. For shorter haired kinds, simply groom with a brush in the direction of the fur to get out any litter or wood shaving that could have gotten caught in their fur. For longer haired breeds, you may need to run your fingers through their fur to loosen any tangles, then use a brush to get rid of any remaining tangles, then smoothen out their coat.