Do Guinea Pigs Need Baths? When and How to Bathe Safely

Usually not

Guinea pigs groom themselves. Regular baths can dry the skin. A bath is useful for dirty rear ends, grease glands or long-haired breeds.

How to bathe

• •Use a shallow basin with lukewarm water, never above chest height.
• •Use a shampoo made for small animals.
• •Keep water away from ears, eyes and nose.
• •Rinse thoroughly.

Drying matters most

Towel dry well and keep your pig in a warm, draft-free room until fully dry. A hairdryer on the coolest, lowest setting held well away can help long-haired pigs.