Claw Clipping

You may notice that your guinea pigs' claws grow quite fast. They usually need trimming about once a month, as a general rule of thumb, but it's always good to adopt a habit of checking and clipping regularly. In the picture, right, you'll see the claw at the top is the correctly clipped claw and the claw below it is what you want to avoid. If you are confident cut the nail just before you hit the quick. (This is the pink that you can see run from the toe to inside the nail.) In pale claws it is very noticeable although hard to see on a dark claw, so clip in good light and cut at tiny graduations until the claw is sufficiently clipped. Buy animal claw clippers or just use a simple nail clipper; that is what I use and it does the job. Consult a vet to do this for you if you are unsure. Never allow the claws to overgrow as this can cause severe foot injuries.

Weighing

It is a good idea to weigh each of your cavies on a weekly basis. Just use simple kitchen scales that have an enclosed weighing bowl so they won't fall off. By weighing them regularly you can monitor your guinea pigs' health more closely as cavies can be good at hiding some illnesses. A cavy may look like it has a healthy eating habit but could be losing weight due to a problem like malocclusion. Weight loss should be taken seriously as even a few ounces below it's normal weight can be fatal.

Washing

Every few months or so your cavy may need a wash. Some are more prone to getting dirty than others so some cavies can get away with not having a bath as often. To bath your cavy use the general wash procedure explained further down. Never give babies baths, wait until they are a good few months old. Both of the following procedures have been performed by myself many times which have proven to my own judgement and approval to be both efficient and safe to my own cavies.

Grease Gland Cleaning
If your pig is a boar you will need to keep his grease gland under control. (You will find your cavy's grease gland at the very base of his backbone). When the grease builds up it will look dull, clump together, feel greasy and be itchy for the pig. It can be cleaned safely using the following procedure. Do this before the general wash.

On dry hair apply a generous amount of Swarfega (a grease removal for humans), onto his grease gland area. Massage well to loosen the clumps of grease then thoroughly wash off with warm water.

General Wash
You should carefully but firmly (as they can wriggle) bath them in shallow water in a sink or bath. So my cavies' won't slip about I stand them on a rubber shower mat in the bath. Use a speciality shampoo for small animals (or mild baby shampoo) and remember to dilute it first with warm water before applying it to their body. Massage the shampoo in gently but thoroughly. Take extra care around their faces ensuring there is no contact with their eyes or mouth. Hold the cavy steady and rinse off until the water runs clear using jugs of water or the shower head used close to the body on the lowest pressure, ensuring the water doesn't spray into their eyes which can shock them and make their eyes sore. Never use extreme temperatures of water ie. hot or cold. As soon as you lift them out of the bath wrap a towel around them and give them a brief rub, replace with a fresh towel and so on - your guinea pig does not want to be left in a wet towel. You can then sit gently massaging the coat dry in a warm room. Alternatively put them in a box with a wrapped up hot water bottle and keep them in a warm room indoors until thoroughly dry. When almost dry (completely dry if housed outside) pop the cavy back into a cleaned out cage full of fresh hay for the cavy to snuggle up in.