How to Show a Guinea Pig

Last Updated: June 21, 2021

Guinea pigs are cute pets that are a joy to have! Entering your guinea pig into a show, also known as a cavy show, is a great way to bond with it. A week before the show, bathe your guinea pig. To keep its coat in optimal condition, brush it every day until the day of the show. Before judging begins, make sure to brush its coat once more and then place it in its designated pen.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Bathing Your Guinea Pig

1
Fill a water basin with warm water. Place a water basin in the bathtub. Fill it with a small amount of warm water. The water should be no higher than your guinea pig’s feet. Water that is 90 to 100 °F (32 to 38 °C) is ideal.^{[1]
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- Test the temperature of the water on the inside of your wrist.
- Water that is up to its chin is too high and may cause it to panic.
2
Wet your guinea pig’s coat using a cup. Place your guinea pig in the water basin. Scoop up the water and pour it over your guinea pig’s body. Keep pouring water until its entire coat is wet. Avoid getting water in its eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Keep a firm but gentle grip on your guinea pig while you wet it to prevent it from running out of the basin.
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3
Clean the grease gland with coconut oil. The grease gland is located on your guinea pig’s rear end where the tail should be. Squeeze a small amount of coconut oil onto a cotton ball. Rub the grease gland with the cotton ball for 30 seconds to a minute to loosen up the grease. Once the grease is loose, use a clean cotton ball to wipe it away. Rinse the area with clean water.^{[2]
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- Male guinea pigs tend to have more grease than female guinea pigs.
4
Apply a specially formulated guinea pig shampoo. Squeeze a pea-size amount of shampoo onto your fingers. Gently massage the shampoo into your guinea pig’s coat until thick lather forms. Make sure to shampoo its entire coat, excluding its head and face.^{[3]
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5
Rinse your guinea pig with water. Once your guinea pig is clean, begin pouring clean, warm water over its entire coat. Use a cup to pour the water over its coat. Rinse your guinea pig until all of the soap and residue are completely removed.^{[4]
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6
Wrap your guinea pig in a towel to dry it. Gently rub the towel against its fur to speed up the drying process. Once the towel becomes soaked, wrap it in one to two more towels to keep it warm while its coat dries. Place your wrapped guinea pig in a warm, dry area until its coat is completely dry.^{[5]
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- Replace wet towels with clean, dry ones as your guinea pig dries.
- It may take two to three hours for your guinea pig’s coat to dry completely.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Caring for its Coat and Nails

1
Comb its coat once it is completely dry. Brush your guinea pig with a soft comb until its coat looks smooth and neat. Comb its coat every day until the day of the show.^{[6]
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- You can purchase combs and brushes from your local pet supply store.
2
Trim a long-haired guinea pig's hair three to five days before the show. Use hair clippers to trim its hair. Trim its hair until the hair reaches just above the floor. This will prevent its hair from dragging on the floor as it walks.^{[7]
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3
Treat fleas and lice with a flea shampoo. This way you can ensure that your guinea pig does not have fleas or lice the day of the show. Alternatively, take your guinea pig to the vet to be treated for any fleas or lice.^{[8]
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4
Clip its nails with a human nail clipper. Hold your guinea pig with one hand by placing your pointer finger between its front legs and under its chin. Clip the very tip of each nail. Only clip the very tip to avoid clipping the quick. Give your guinea pig a treat to distract it while you are clipping its nails.^{[9]
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- Keep a styptic pencil nearby just in case you clip the quick. Press the pencil against the nail to stop any bleeding.
- If you are unsure where the quick starts, shine a flashlight underneath its nails to identify the quick or take your guinea pig to the vet to have its nails trimmed.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Bringing Your Guinea Pig to the Show

1
Transport your guinea pig in a small animal carrier. The carrier should be clean and well-ventilated. You can purchase small animal carriers from your local pet supply store.^{[10]
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- Alternatively, use a sturdy cardboard box to transport your guinea pig. Just make sure to poke ventilation holes into the box so that it has access to fresh, clean air.
- Guinea pigs may be stressed by the sounds and sights of a show. A stressed or squealing guinea pig may become skittish around judges. Before you take your pet to a show, make sure that they do well with noise and strangers.
2
Line the carrier with a couple of sheets of newspaper. Also, place shavings and hay at the bottom of the carrier. Supply the carrier with dry food, as well as fruits and vegetables. Additionally, bring your guinea pig’s water bottle to the show since shows do not provide water for the guinea pigs.
- Use hydrating fruits and vegetables such as apples, cucumbers, and celery.
- To encourage your guinea pig to eat, place treats or pieces of its favorite food in the carrier as well.
3
Brush your guinea pig 45 minutes before the judging begins. Brush your guinea pig to remove any dirt, dust, or other debris from its fur. If your guinea pig has long hair, make sure to comb out any tangles or mats.
4
Place your guinea pig in its pen 30 minutes before the show starts. Your guinea pig will be assigned a pen when you register. Double-check the schedule so you know what time judging will begin for your guinea pig.^{[11]
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- Your guinea pig will stay in its designated pen throughout the judging process.

Warnings

A guinea pig show will have lots of noises and activity that might frighten or stressed out your guinea pig. Make sure that your guinea is good with crowds and can handle the busy environment.

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