As a new guinea pig owner, it is understandable that you might be nervous about bathing your new pets with certain types of soap. A common question that is usually asked by new owners is “can you bathe a guinea pig with baby shampoo?”
Well, the answer is no! It is very important that you choose the right soap or shampoo to use on your guinea pigs as they are very sensitive creatures and some shampoo may be too harsh for their delicate skin.
Can You Bathe A Guinea Pig With Baby Shampoo?
No, it’s not advisable to bathe your guinea pigs with baby shampoo. There are a number of guinea pig shampoos available today, which you can safely use on your pet – and we’re going to list some of them below.
Safe Shampoo To Use On A Guinea Pig
There are different variety of guinea pig friendly shampoos you can find in the market today. They are mild enough to use and won’t cause your guinea pig skin irritation.
Here are some of the popular products available.
Read Also: Why Do Guinea Pigs Bite?
1. Squeaky clean 8-ounce critter shampoo from Kaytee
This is a popular guinea pig shampoo, it is designed for smaller animals with sensitive skins. It not only removes dirt and grime from your pet’s skin, but it also leaves them smelling nice.
This shampoo has the right ph balance so you do not have to worry about it causing your guinea pig to tear up. This shampoo comes in an 8-ounce bottle, so it lasts for quite a while, this product leaves a baby powder smell on your cavy.
2. Dry shampoo from Kaytee 8 ounce
This is another great shampoo that is safe to use on guinea pigs. It is a dry shampoo that keeps your guinea pig clean as well as prevent any dry skin issues. This shampoo gently removes grime and dirt and because it’s a dry shampoo, you do not have to rinse it off.
This shampoo will clean and make your guinea pig smell good without interfering with any of your guinea pig’s skin essential oils so that their coat and skin remains healthy.
3. Odie and Cody organic pet shampoo 16 ounce
This is an organic shampoo of high quality, it is safe to use on guinea pigs and will not burn, itch, or sting your guinea pig. Not only does this shampoo clean your guinea pig, but it also has a moisturizing effect as well.
This shampoo is also hypoallergenic, thereby reducing the chances of an allergic reaction. This shampoo contains no harmful chemicals or artificial ingredients of any kind.
However, due to this reason, the shampoo is a little watery compared to the consistency of other shampoo products as there are no added additives to make it thicker.
4. Guinea pig shampoo from arm & hammer (tearless)
Arm & Hammer is a household name when it comes to producing quality cosmetic products for pets. This tearless guinea pig shampoo is no exception to their high-quality production. This shampoo cleans your guinea pig without causing tears or any other issues.
When this shampoo is used to bathe a guinea pig, they get thoroughly clean and smelling fresh. This shampoo is very gentle on a guinea pig’s skin and prevents dry skin problems as well as stinging or burning.
5. Oatmeal shampoo all natural
This shampoo was created by bodhi dog, it is safe for guinea pigs as well as dogs and cats. It is plant-based so it is very gentle on small animals while still ensuring that they receive a deep clean.
This shampoo also leaves your guinea pig smelling great after bathing with this natural shampoo.
This shampoo also contains a number of vitamins which are great for your guinea pig. It contains baking powder as the main ingredient which gives it its deodorizing ability which helps to eliminate any nasty smells as well as treat dandruff and dander.
How To Make A DIY Guinea Pig Shampoo
If you are skeptical about the safety of most shampoo products in the market you can make your own natural shampoo for your guinea pig. This is much safer for your guinea pig as it will be deprived of dangerous additives that may be harmful to your guinea pig.
If you decide to opt for a shampoo that is specifically designed for guinea pigs, it’s going to cost you money and you might be entirely sure that the shampoo is entirely safe for your pet.
Creating your own shampoo for your guinea pig gives you total control of the ingredients you make use of this, this way you are able to accurately create a truly safe shampoo for your guinea pig.
You will need an empty plastic bottle preferably one that previously contained just water. Avoid using a bottle that used to contain cleaning agents or anything else that might have chemicals that might be dangerous for your guinea pig. Then thoroughly wash the empty bottle with hot water and soap.
The main ingredients you will need to create a shampoo for your guinea pig include:
- ½ cup of distilled water
- ¼ cup of liquid dish detergent
- ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar
The mention of apple cider vinegar might make people skeptical but it is actually very effective and all-natural as well.
Add up the ingredients and mix them properly which you can do by closing the bottle cap and giving the bottle a vigorous shake until they combine fully.
After thoroughly combining the three main ingredients you can add 4 drops of lavender oil, 4 drops of chamomile oil, and 2 tablespoons of sweet almond oil to the mixture, this is totally optional but it will make the shampoo leave behind a great smell on your guinea pig.
After adding the oils you will also need to shake the bottle vigorously like you did the first time.
You will need to allow your homemade guinea pig shampoo to sit at least overnight especially if you added the essential oils so that they have enough time to fully infuse into the shampoo.
Once they fully infuse your homemade shampoo is ready for use. Try to keep the shampoo refrigerated when it is not in use. Always give the bottle a vigorous shake to blend all of the ingredients before making use of it to bathe your guinea pig.
As stated before, the addition of the essential oils is totally optional and they are known to be safe for your guinea pig. However, if you are in doubt about this, you can speak with your vet and have them the right essential oils to use.
In a nutshell, although there won’t be instant damage to your guinea pig’s skin if you happened to use human baby shampoo to bathe them. It isn’t recommended and should be done as a “one-off” occasion especially in situations where you run out of your guinea pig’s shampoo.
Although shampoo made for babies are designed to be gentle, it is not 100% safe for guinea pigs as a guinea pig’s skin is way different from that of a human.
Conclusion
If you just adopted a guinea pig and you are wondering if you can bathe a guinea pig with baby shampoo? Well, you shouldn’t.
Although using baby shampoo on guinea pig won’t cause any instantaneous damage, it may have an adverse effect on your pet in the long run. So, it’s better you use a shampoo that is designed for guinea pigs, such as the ones listed above.
Kaytee Squeaky Clean Critter Shampoo
This enriched shampoo formula will gently remove dirt, effectively deodorize your pet, condition the coat and skin, and leave your furry friend smelling as fresh as the tropics.
Product SKU: B004LO9TIK
Product Brand: Kaytee Squeaky Clean
4.6
Pros
- Soft and not too strong of scent
- Gentle and lasts long
Cons
- Easily spilled out / bottle cap poor packaging
Kaytee Quick & Clean Critter Dry Shampoo
Specially formulated no-rinse shampoo will gently loosen dirt, dissolve oil and deodorize your pet's skin and coat, leaving your furry friend smelling as fresh as a baby. Helps eliminate odors with a long lasting baby powder fragrance.
Product SKU: B00412RNRQ
Product Brand: Kaytee Quick & Clean Critter
4.5
Pros
- Smells good, fresh and clean
Cons
- Easily Spilled/Poor Packaging Bottle Cap
Bodhi Dog Organic Lavender Oatmeal Dog Shampoo and Conditioner
Made with natural extracts that cleanse, condition, eliminate odor, and leave your pet smelling great and their coat feeling silky soft and moisturized. Safe for all pets with fur, our formula is great for sensitive skin and contains NO parabens or SLS.
Product SKU: B08KR7J2KP
Product Brand: Bodhi Dog Organic Lavender Oatmeal
4.5
Pros
- Long lasting smell
- Effective, soft and clean
Cons
- Not Good for Anti Itch
- Easily spilled out / bottle cap poor packaging
