If you have any favorite products or methods that make cleaning easier, we would love to hear about them as well! You can clean your guinea pig's nose with a warm, damp cloth. Good choices of vegetables include kales, turnip greens, spinach, parsley, dandelion greens, and lettuce. Guinea pigs may be small and cute, but they still experience pain just like humans do! The medications below are only intended to give general information on how the infected pigs are medicated and are subject to approval from a qualified veterinary doctor. The grass had been cut that day, could that have caused it? No skimping on plentiful grass hay, fresh water, and vitamin C. The guinea pig diet is mainly hay; we're talking about 80% hay. So, before you go straight to the vet, think of what you can do to alleviate the pain and bleeding. If the both cavies are determined to take control of one another (and neither one backs down), it could ultimately lead to a physical fight which will likely result in injury. Answer 14: Yes, you should be worried if your guinea pig is losing its appetite. Answer 6: Yes, you can use a cotton swab to clean a guinea pigs nose. Bite wounds sustained from cage fights should be checked immediately. So lets dig into how to clean your guinea pigs cage quickly, effectively, and safely. Carefully check how severe or big the wound is. This goes for both humans and animals. A discharge will build up naturally in the corners of their eyes that the guinea pig will remove by his or herself with their front paws. It may seem confusing or even downright stressful but dont panic. For advice on how to keep your guinea pig comfortable while you clean the cage, read on! The pig might also reduce its water intake due to a change in the taste of water, and this might also lead to other health issues. Enjoy! display: block; That way the wound wont get infected, and your guinea pig will heal as quickly as possible. Healthy guinea pigs have shiny, clear, and alert eyes. My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. Cleaning Your Guinea Pig's Cage on a Daily Basis 1 Spot-clean the cage. Especially if its very severe, but youre not able to get your fur babies to the vet right away. } Is this normal? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Learn More, VAT Number: GB837106436 A guinea pig cage is not a dish, nor is it a floor or a piece of dirty laundry. A discharge will build up naturally in the corners of their eyes that the guinea pig will remove by his or herself with their front paws. Guinea Pig Cage Cleaning Supplies Checklist, Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Guinea Pig Cage. (What You Need to Know) and Can Guinea Pigs Suffer or Die From Depression? By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. But what happens if these parasitic infections are not caught and treated? Use a gauze pad or a clean towel. The transmission is often due to contaminated bedding or an unclean cage. I was gone from home for a couple of hours and one of my guinea pigs eyes (both of them) are squinted and one of them is a bit red. Is there anything wrong with taking your guinea pig for an outdoors stroll to nibble on some fresh, green grass? All rights reserved. If you have access to a hose, this is the easiest and fastest way to handle things. On the other hand, when it comes to two male (or female) cavies, they tend to clash until one backs down. They should however be fed daily unless the pig becomes obese. With guinea pigs of different sex, the male usually dominates the female. Dip a clean cloth into a mix and gently clean the injury. In these circumstances a trip to the vet is needed. https://www.erinsark-petcareguide.com/guinea-pig-companionship, Its important to understand what to feed your guinea pigs. Parasites such as lice, fur mites, and ringworm can cause itching and inflammation to the skin of your guinea pigs. However, this is the responsibility we take on when we decide to have a guinea pig as a pet. I think my guinea pig has a cold. Go to source You just need to know where to look for possible dangers and to be prepared to protect your guinea pigs as much as possible. Water is vital for life. But damp hay can harbor fungal growth, and dry, dusty hay could cause respiratory problems. This can lead to respiratory problems and even death. For a healthy guinea pig, breathing is quiet and easy. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. Cedar bedding can cause many health problems, as can pine. One way is to use a cotton swab to gently remove any debris that may be blocking their nose. } I took him out the hutch at once and checked over him, especially his nose, but I could see no snot or anything else wrong with him he just sounded a bit wheezy. Before Cleaning: Supplies and Materials. He spends hours on Instagram browsing guinea pigs, wombats, hedgehogs, and Dungeons & Dragons. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. The first few cleanings especially are a time of trial-and-error as you figure out the best methods for cleaning your guinea pigs unique cage or enclosure. flinching screaming or squealing, Read More Is Your Guinea Pig In Pain? Smithsonians National Zoo. Vitamin C is essential for the prevention of respiratory complications in guinea pigs. Do not use wood chips or sawdust as they cause serious harm to your pet. Answer 7: If you cant get all the discharge out of a guinea pigs nose, you can try using a syringe to suction it out. [1] Assess the Wound 3. Breathing is a quite easy and healthy activity. Continuous monitoring of the pigs activity, Frequent follow-ups by a veterinary doctor. This is attainable using a home nebulization unit or could be performed at the hospital. Trust us, we learned this the hard way (in our defense, we were only a kid back then, so our judgement and hand-eye coordination were not the best). You can also use a Q-tip to clean the hard-to-reach areas of the nose. If you notice dry nasal discharge on their nose, dip a cotton pad in warm water and gently wipe their nose. What Happens if Guinea Pig Wounds Are Untreated? You dont want to have to worry about debris getting into the wound. Forget To Keep The Enclosure Very Clean. Simple truth: Rats can attack and kill guinea pigs. The rabbit might also bully the guinea pig, leading to stress if the pig cannot find a safe spot to escape to. But we will let you in on a little secret: occasionally you can go a day over a week without cleaning your guinea pigs cage. All out too. Get in Touch. Do weekly health checks to. As such, it requires its own set of cleaning supplies, all of which must be safe for your guinea pigs! Always make available high fiber foods especially good quality hay to prevent dental disease. Answer 12: If you think your guinea pig has a cold, it is important to take it to the vet. (2014, December 10). Your little friend needs to be calm, so that you can examine the injury. Remember, guinea pigs have sensitive airways, so we need to take precautions not to cause them any discomfort. But actually doing it is another. Your email address will not be published. Since this should happen once a week, using sponges each time could not only add up in cost, but produces far more waste. For most aspects of grooming, a weekly check should be enough. } Double check our supplies list above to be sure you have everything you need for a successful cleaning venture. Gloves. (Find Out Now) , Why Does Your Guinea Pig Run Up Your Neck? Its advisable to fill the hay racks in the open air space and make sure to put only the required amount, to avoid dust accumulation in the cage. Out! I can't stand the smell of vinegar. It is safe to let your guinea pig eat corn. You should properly ensure every aspect before deciding the next course of action, like medication for your guinea pigs. Answer 3: You should clean a guinea pigs nose as often as necessary, depending on the amount of discharge present. But, its even more important to treat the main cause. Having a functional air humidifier around the little pigs can play a crucial role in mobilizing the nasal discharge from the pigs. Why is it important to clean your guinea pigs nose? Make sure you use very less oil or water so that it does not enter the ear canal since this could harm their ear. @media screen and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 768px) { This can happen with both male and female pairings. ", keeping our sweet pet's home clean and safe for him to thrive. Instead of cleaning them yourself, we recommend asking your vet for advice. Leave them in the sink to dry while you clean out the cage. If we let our guinea pigs cages get dirty, it can stress them out and even pose a risk to their health. If you notice that your little friend is trying to gnaw at the wound, you definitely need to get her to the vet. 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