Nail Clipping and Grooming
Further Reading:
Bathing
Guinea pigs only require bathing when necessary. Cavies will naturally groom themselves. You may notice a opaque liquid which will be secreted from your cavies eyes. This liquid will assist in cleaning your guinea pigs face and body. A guinea pig will groom itself numerous times a day often after eating vegetables or after burrowing through grass hay.
Long haired guinea pigs will require daily grooming and bathing every 3 to 4 months to maintain the condition of their coats and ensure that it does not become matted.
Always choose a small animal shampoo to ensure your cavies skin does not dry out or become irritated. A soap and chemical free, all natural shampoo is considered best.
Nail Clipping
Guinea pigs have four toes on their front feet and three on their hind feet with each foot having nails which continually grow throughout the guinea pigs' life, and as a result will require regular trimming. Each nail has a blood vessel known as the "quick" which is pink or red in colour. They are easier to identify on white/light claws then they are on darker claws, but the location is the same. See diagram below for an idea of where you can find the quick!
Guinea pigs should have their nails trimmed on a monthly basis or as needed. When the nail regrows there will be an indent where the last trimming took place, making it easier to cut your guinea pigs nails in the future!
Grooming
Some guinea pigs require regular grooming, especially those of the long-haired variety. Always us a soft bristled brush which only removes lose hair and does not pull the coat.
Some tips for brushing:
- Use a gentle stroke, in the same direction that the hair is growing.
- Do not push the brush upwards and brush against the grain - this will hurt your piggy!
- The bottom region is important to kept short on all guinea pigs regardless of breed.
- If your guinea pig requires a "butt cut" it can be better to gently spray the coat with lukewarm water or to cut after bathing to make cutting a bit easier.
See our basic grooming graphic below:
