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Author Topic: Can guinea pigs take dust baths?  (Read 4318 times)

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mojito

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Can guinea pigs take dust baths?
« on: August 17, 2013, 08:16:54 PM »
A friend of mine at work has a daughter who owns 2 guinea pigs. I showed her a video of the chins taking a dust bath and her daughter said she did some research and found that her guinea pigs could take one as well. When I looked around I found the opposite answer, so I'm wondering which is the right answer!
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GrayRodent

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Re: Can guinea pigs take dust baths?
« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2013, 08:37:18 PM »
I don't think dust bathing a guinea pig will do much good. I suspect that would only work for animals that have fur that is dense enough to stand up. I think they take water baths though.
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Snickerdoodlesmom

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Re: Can guinea pigs take dust baths?
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2013, 10:46:27 AM »
At Petco they sell baths for guinea pigs and hamsters. This might be a question for a vet.
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GrayRodent

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Re: Can guinea pigs take dust baths?
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2013, 11:08:32 AM »
Hamsters I could see the benefit for, since some breeds have dense coats. Guinea pigs I'm still not sure. I think their hair is closer to that of a dog, in which case, it would probably just make a big mess but the animal may still like to roll around in it. Considering dust is an eye irritating substance my thoughts are it would be best not to unless it is somehow necessary.
« Last Edit: October 06, 2013, 11:11:00 AM by GrayRodent »
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GrayRodent

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Re: Can guinea pigs take dust baths?
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2013, 06:33:48 PM »
I have a friend who is a DVM and asked this question at church this evening. She advises to not put guinea pigs in chinchilla dust saying there is no benefit and it could be irritating to the guinea pig's lungs which can cause serious problems.
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Sb30

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Re: Can guinea pigs take dust baths?
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2014, 04:14:07 PM »
I see that this is an old post but as an experienced piggie owner Grey Rodent is indeed right.  Dust baths are not good for piggies. They can contract brrathing problems and URI from the dust. Also the small grains can get stuck in their fur and cause irritation.If you own Skinnies like us the abrasiveness could cause skin injury.  Furry pigs enjoy a wet bath with a good piggy friendly shampoo and a good solid dry afterwards. I just wanted to add to this in case of any future people still wondering.
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kageri

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Re: Can guinea pigs take dust baths?
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2014, 02:18:03 AM »
Grainy bedding like sand and corn cob is also not suggested for another reason that probably applies to dust baths.  Male guinea pigs in particular like to drag their butt in stuff to mark it and will pick up small pieces in to their anal sac.  Sometimes they even get shavings jammed in there.  I do not miss anal sac cleaning day when doing guinea pig rescue.   ::) Females can pick up stuff in their genitals as well but it's less severe and so long as they avoid things like fine grain sand or dust they don't need help cleaning themselves.
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