Weighing Your Guinea Pig

It is important to monitor your guinea pigs weight on a weekly basis. Your guinea pigs weight can be one of the most important indicators of their health.

Just like other animals your guinea pigs weight will fluctuate normally, however when you begin to see a pattern of weight loss or weight gain it is important to take the necessary steps to figure out what is causing it. You want to watch dramatic or consistent flucuations of weight.

Guinea Pig Ear Cleaning

All pigs get a fair amount of wax build of in their outer ear canal. It is important to clean your guinea pigs ears about every other week. You will also want to examine their ears every week to check for cuts or scabs, other injuries, or even mites.

I usually use a cotton pad or soft towel and gently wipe the outer part of the ear. You can also use a product like Oticlens, Epi-Otic Ear Cleaner, or mineral oil in ear, let it sit for 5 minutes, then wipe the outer part of the ear with a cotton pad or soft cloth to remove the wax build up. These types of solutions will help to breakdown the wax build up making it easier to clean your guinea pigs ears.

Guinea Pig Brushing

Guinea pigs should be brushed on a regular basis to keep their coat in good condition. Most of them enjoy being brushed. Since most guinea pigs have sensitive skin I recommend a natural bristle brush, such as boar bristles. It is good to get a brush with stiff bristles. This allows you to gently brush out mats and loose fur that has shed. Natural bristles also redistribute the natural oils in the skin throughout their coat leaving it shiny and healthy looking. You can also take this time to check for mites, lice, or any sores on their skin. 

Guinea Pig Nail Trimming

Nail trimming is an essential part of grooming your guinea pigs. You should trim your guinea pigs nails every three weeks minimum. When nails get too long they begin to curl and make it difficult for your pig to walk and stand on. The blood vessels also continue to grow out along with the nail.

You can use either toenail clippers or small animal nail trimmers (like cat scissors). You want to be careful to trim above the quick (where the blood vessel grows) to avoid injuring your pig. I always keep either a product like SureClot or Kwik Stop styptic powder or corn starch on hand in case you trim to close and you hit the blood vessel. This will aid in clotting the blood in the nail.

Guinea Pig Bathing

Bathing for most guinea pigs can be stressful but if done on a regular basis and the correct way they will learn to enjoy it. Most people think it is unnecessary to bath pigs on a regular basis, however I believe it is an essential part of grooming. I have both short hair and long hair breeds. I usually bath my short hair pigs every three weeks and my long hair pigs once a week. This allows you to wash off dust from bedding, urine and feces that may have soiled their fur.

It is important to find a shampoo designed especially for guinea pigs (cavies) or one that is safe for small