subject: How To Make Sure That Your Guinea Pigs Stay Healthy [print this page] As with other pets, guinea pigs are prone to catching diseases and germs. If these go unchecked, they can lead to serious illnesses, so it is crucial to pick them up early. Although guinea pigs can keep themselves clean to a certain extent, you will need to help them out by frequently checking the following 3 things:
1. Illnesses
Guinea pigs have a natural tendency to cover up any diseases and illnesses they have. Sadly, this means that it is not uncommon for them to be harbouring a serious illness without you noticing.
Probably the most effective way to watch your guinea pig's health is to include it in your daily routine, alongside tasks like refilling their water bottle, giving them fresh food, and cleaning out their cage. You should check their nose, ears, and eyes for any signs of redness, build ups, or anything else unusual.
2. Dental Care
Guinea pigs' teeth grow throughout their lives, so they need a way to grind them down, so that they don't get excessively long and make eating uncomfortable or even impossible.
The most effective way for them to do this is by frequently chewing hay, which grinds their teeth down. It is important that you make sure that they have a clean, fresh supply of hay in their cage at all times.
3. Bathing
It is essential to bathe your guinea pig whenever necessary, to help get rid of any stubborn dirt. Besides the fact that this reduces the risk of your pet getting an illness, it also gets rid of any smalls they have picked up over time.
You should clean your cavy every few months, or whenever he gets noticeable dirty or smelly. When cleaning them, use a shallow dish of luke warm water, and special shampoo which is designed not to sting or irritate your animal's skin and eyes.
