You can use this guide for regular grooming or for grooming in prep for a show

Toenail clipping, ear cleaning and washing are pretty much the same for all breeds (except for show Teddies and Abyssinians). Use the below guides for any breed, then you get more breed-specific info on the main grooming page.

Toenail clipping

Clipping your cavy's toenails is very simple. Use human, cat, or rabbit toenail clippers. Clip the tip of the nail a little at a time, avoiding the pink area, which is the blood vessel inside the nail. If it does start to bleed, dab the end with styptic powder, corn starch, or a mixture of baking soda and water.

Washing

You will need: a washcloth, towels, baby shampoo (or other mild shampoo), sink or plastic tub

______________________________________________________________

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photo 5

Photo 6

If your cavy has long hair, make sure to comb/brush them before you bathe them, to make sure there are no tangles or knots.

Fill a sink/tub with lukewarm water. Make sure it's not too hot or too cold. You can place a towel at the bottom to give them something to hold onto. Rinse the piggy, keeping water out of it's eyes, nose, mouth and ears.

Take a quarter-sized amount of baby or other very mild unscented shampoo, and massage down to the skin. Make sure to keep it out of ears, eyes, nose and mouth.

Rinse out all the soap

Dry your pig with a towel first, then you can blow-dry him. Keep the dryer at least 8 inches away, and test the heat often to make sure it's not too hot.

Washed, groomed and clean Charmont!

.

Photo 1

If your cavy has long hair, make sure to comb/brush them before you bathe them, to make sure there are no tangles or knots.