Guinea pig questions???

Question

i give my guinea pig a bath once a month and they dont like it

is there anything i could do to get them used to a bath besides bathing them

also i dont clip my guinea pigs nails myself i take them to the vet

is there something to get them used clipping

they also dont accept new things wat can i do to get them to accept things?

Answer 1

Guinea Pigs clean themselfs for the most part so you do not need to clean them so often only about 2-3 times a year (unless they get really dirty in something). As for the nail issue, it might be better for you to clip its nails because it is more comforable around you than the vet. The best time to clip its nails is when it is sleepy so it is not as wild. You can buy rodent nail clippers at your local pet store but those are sort of pricey, so cat nail clippers work just as well. **NEVER USE YOUR OWN NAIL CLIPPERS** They do not clip at a curve and will damage his nails so they may become infected!

Answer 2

I agree with the other posters; bath your piggie only if s/he seems to need a bath or is dirty.  Guinea pigs are generally pretty clean and do groom themselves a lot.

Regarding the nail clipping,  I use human nail clippers.  I find them easier to control and see my piggies rather tiny nails.  I just clip the very end of the nail.  

I also started clipping my guys nails when they were pups, so they could get used to getting manicures.  During the nail trim, I talk to them and tell them how good they are doing and it will be over very soon!  I also always give them a treat after it's over, so they can associate getting a goodie with the nail trim.

I suggest food bribes to help your piggies get used to different things (plus a lot of patience on your part)!

I did have a rescue piggie that I adopted

(when she was probably 4-5 months old ) who absolutely HATED getting her nails trimmed.  I had to wrap her up like a papoose in a towel initially (with one paw sticking out that I was clipping), because she would scream bloody murder and wriggle like a crazy pig!  But after doing the above and getting the job done fairly quickly, my piggie learned to *tolerate* the nail clipping.  Mind you, she never, ever *enjoyed* the experience but learned to deal with the procedure.

Guinea Lynx says:

Don't let your pet's nails get too long!

Cavy toenails grow constantly. Some grow straighter while others have a tendency to curl and lie to one side. Very young guinea pig's nails are short and sharp. Early clippings help blunt their sharp nails. As a cavy ages, their nails become more brittle and grow more irregularly. Cavies kept as pets generally require nail clipping, as their nails do not receive enough wear to keep them at the proper length. Some people put a stone or brick in their pet's cage in the hope that it will wear down the nails so trimming is unnecessary. However, this is generally not effective and all cavies seem to require regular trims. A very few pigs will chew on their hind nails.

For added safety, the author prefers using a human nail clipper (photo above, left). It does not open as wide as the adjacent guillotine style clipper, though some pet owners prefer them. Clipping on a monthly basis will help prevent the quick from advancing too far.

With dark nails, some people claim shining a bright light from underneath will help you locate where the quick is so you can avoid clipping too short. And according to Deborah's vet, cutting top to bottom (like we cut our own nails) is less likely to pinch.

http://www.guinealynx.info/nails.html

Do take look at the above site.  There are tips on how to hold your piggie and how to best use clippers.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Guinea pigs only need a bath twice a year. If they really don't like it, you could just wipe them down with wet paper towels.

To clip their nails, buy cats' nail clippers and do it at home. *Do not use people clippers.*  :)

If they don't accept new things, you could try rewarding them with a treat. Other then that, there isn't much you can do. :(

Answer 4

My guinea pig didn't like baths either, so then I just let her run around in 1" deep water to get used to it. She loves them now. :)