A lovely pig

One thing that every guinea pig owners will most likely notice is that their little piggy loves to groom. Like cats, guinea pigs will spend much of their free time primping and preening, making sure that they look their best. And although for the most part they do an excellent job, an owner's help is always appreciated.

Guinea grooming?
An owner's is needed depends both on the length of his pig's hair and the kind of trouble the pig gets himself into. When an owner wants his guinea pig to look his best, or if the piggy has had a run-in with bugs or fleas, a little extra help may be in order.

Routine hair care
If you have a short haired piggy, he may only need to be brushed once a week, more often if you notice a great deal of shedding. Long-haired piggies need to be brushed more often, to keep their hair silky and free of knots. You should concentrate on the piggy's rear end, where little pieces of wood chips and excrement can cause his hair to clump.

Brushing should be fun for both you and your guinea pig. Use a soft brush (I would recommend a toothbrush) with a gentle stroke, and piggy will be purring with pleasure in no time. If knots have already formed, don't try pulling them out. You and your piggy will both be better off if you just gently lift them away from the skin and then carefully cut them out.

If your piggy has a problem with knots in the hindquarters, your may want to keep that area clipped as a preventative measure. A piggy owner can choose to use an electric clipper to cut the hair on her piggy's rear down so clumps never have a chance to form. This is a good and hygienic way for both owners and piggies.

When it's time for a bath
Baths should only be occasionally necessary for your guinea pig, dictated by circumstances - a special occasion where your piggy has to look good, say, or if he has a skin condition or a special knack for getting dirty. The water should be just slightly warm to the touch.

The first couple of times they might be a little frantic but just keep going and be gentle and they'll get used to it. For shampoo, using products designated safe for kittens or puppies. If you only bathe your guinea pig occasionally, say once a month, baby shampoo is also fine. Once the bath is over, you should make sure to dry your piggy carefully so he doesn't catch a cold. An electric hair dryer on a low temperature setting works well.

Nails, please
After you take care of piggy's hair, what else could be left but a nice pedicure?

It is up to your piggy to help you figure out the best way to trim his toenails. Some guinea pigs will let you hold them with one hand or even turn them on their back. If your piggy is feisty, you may have to enlist the help of a friend to hold him or go to a professional groomer.

The most important thing is not to cut the nails too closely, or they may bleed. By looking at a source of light through the nail, it is usually possible to see where the blood vessel in the nail ends and where it is safe to cut. If you are nervous about cutting your guinea pig's nails, it might be a good idea to ask your vet to show you how the first time.

Grooming for a closer bond
Guinea pigs like to keep themselves clean, and it is their owners' responsibility to help with any grooming they can't take care of on their own. For the most part, however, it is a pleasant burden to bear. A nice session of cuddling and brushing with his owner is a pleasure for any guinea pig, and the feeling is always reciprocated.

The Complete Guinea Pig Guide.

GuineaPig Secrets Revealed. - All About Guinea Pigs.