All guinea pigs can get a bit mucky from time to time, especially if they are long-haired or particularly messy. While guinea pigs are relatively good at grooming themselves, there are certain instances where you’ll need to step in and give them a bath.
However, guinea pigs have extremely sensitive skin, so you can’t use any old shampoo to wash their coats.
- Balanced pH
- Effectively eliminates odors
- Completely tearless shampoo
- Offers gentle cleansing
- Removes dirt and odors
- Ideal for pets that hate bathing
- Highly concentrated shampoo
- Completely natural and organic ingredients
- Ideal for small animals with dry skin or sensitive skin
Choosing The Right Guinea Pig Shampoo
A good guinea pig shampoo needs to be free of harsh chemicals and fragrances, while also being capable of cleaning your cavy’s coat without stripping it of its natural oils.
So, if you need some help finding the best guinea pig shampoo for your furry friend, here are my top 5 suggestions.
Top Pick
Kaytee Squeaky Clean Critter Shampoo
This special shampoo from Kaytee is pH balanced, odor controlling, and tearless to make bathing easy for even the most hard to bathe pets.
Kaytee Squeaky Clean Critter Shampoo
Out of all the best guinea pig shampoos I’ve looked at, the Kaytee Squeaky Clean Critter Shampoo is my overall top pick.
Best Value
Kaytee Quick & Clean Critter Dry Shampoo
This no-rinse shampoo from Kaytee has a mild and non-irritant formula that keeps your cavy clean and hygienic.
Kaytee Quick & Clean Critter Dry Shampoo
If you need an affordable but quality cavy shampoo for your guinea pig, this one is a great choice.
Editor’s Choice
Fluppets Certified Organic Pet Shampoo
This all-natural liquid shampoo from Fluppets contains oils from organic aloe vera, olive, and jobola to keep your pet’s coat smooth, soft, and healthy. It doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals like sulfates, phosphates, or parabens, making it ideal for guinea pigs with skin conditions.
Fluppets Certified Organic Pet Shampoo
If you can afford to spend a bit extra on the best guinea pig shampoos, this one is worth considering.
On To The Reviews…
Top Pick
Kaytee Squeaky Clean Shampoo
This shampoo for small pets from Kaytee leaves your cavy smelling fresh and feeling velvety soft. It features a pH balanced and tearless formula.
Kaytee Squeaky Clean Shampoo
The Kaytee Squeaky Clean Critter Shampoo does just what its name suggests – keeps your guinea pig squeaky clean! It’s my top pick for guinea pigs as it’s a pH balanced shampoo, which means it doesn’t irritate your guinea pig’s skin.
Safety
I also like that the pet shampoo is completely tearless as you don’t need to worry about accidentally getting the product in your cavy’s eyes and hurting them. The shampoo effectively eliminates odors thanks to its baby powder fragrance, which helps keep your guinea pig smelling fresh.
Smell
This shampoo will make your cavy’s coat smell pleasant and feel ultra soft, so you’ll be one happy guinea pig owner!
However, the scent of this small animal shampoo is a little strong, so if you don’t like potent fragrances, you might not like the Kaytee Critter Shampoo.
Specs
- Brand: Kaytee
- Bottle Size: 8 oz
- Shampoo Type: Liquid
Pros
- Specially formulated to be tearless
- Balanced pH to prevent skin irritation
- Helps remove odors due to baby powder scent
Cons
- Scent is a bit strong
Best Value
Kaytee Quick & Clean Critter Dry Shampoo
This no-rinse shampoo from Kaytee contains pet-safe ingredients and is super delicate, effectively removing dirt and odors without irritating your pet’s skin.
Kaytee Quick & Clean Critter Dry Shampoo
The Kaytee Quick & Clean Critter Dry Shampoo is the perfect shampoo if you’re on a budget as it’s extremely affordable and long lasting.
No-rinse
It’s a no-rinse/waterless shampoo that is specially formulated to gently remove dirt, dissolve oil, and remove odors.
As it’s a no-rinse/waterless shampoo, it’s ideal for cavies who dislike bathing as you can simply spray a little on your cavy’s coat and gently comb through their hair – no water needed.
Non-irritating
The shampoo is non-irritating too, which is great if your cavy suffers from dry skin. It has a pleasant baby powder aroma so your guinea pig will smell fresh and clean.
However, this shampoo’s fragrance is quite strong, so if you dislike potent aromas, it may not be the right choice for you,
Specs
- Brand: Kaytee
- Bottle Size: 8 oz
- Shampoo Type: Dry
Pros
- No-rinse formula
- Helps eliminate odors
- Effectively loosens dirt and oils
Cons
- Fragrance can be overpowering
Editor’s Choice
Fluppets Certified Organic Pet Shampoo
This high-concentrated shampoo from Fluppets contains natural essential oils and all-natural ingredients to keep your guinea pig’s coat silky soft and healthy. It also doesn’t contain any synthetic fragrances or harmful chemicals.
Fluppets Certified Organic Pet Shampoo
If you are able to spend a bit extra on a shampoo for your guinea pig, I fully recommend this one from Fluppets as it’s high quality and completely natural. The formula is made from 100% natural ingredients, including organic oils of coconut, olive, and jobola.
Features
It offers a pleasant scent as it contains a blend of lemongrass, rosemary, and organic aloe vera. To keep you and your pet safe, the shampoo is fully synthetic free, and also doesn’t include any phthalates, phosphates, sulfates, petrochemicals, parabens, or olyethylene glycols (PEGs).
Hypoallergenic
It’s highly concentrated so a little goes a long way and it lasts a long time. Due to its hypoallergenic formula, it’s ideal for dry guinea pig skin or small pets with sensitive skin that is easily irritated.
Smell
However, this non-detergent shampoo does have quite a strong smell, so if you’re not a fan of potent aromas, you might not enjoy the Fluppets Pet Shampoo.
In addition, the formula can leave your cavy’s coat feeling slightly sticky, so you might need to give your cavy’s fur a good rinse to remove all of the suds.
Specs
- Brand: Fluppets
- Bottle Size: 16 oz
- Shampoo Type: Liquid
Pros
- Long lasting
- Premium natural ingredients
- Ideal for cavies with dry skin or sensitive skin
- No artificial fragrances, sulfates, phosphates, parabens, etc
Cons
- Smell is a bit strong
- Can leave wet guinea pig coat feeling sticky
J.R.LIGGETT’S Small Animal Liquid Shampoo
J.R.LIGGETT’S Small Animal Non-Detergent Liquid Shampoos relieve itchiness and flakiness, while also containing only the most natural and pet-safe ingredients.
J.R.LIGGETT’S Small Animal Liquid Shampoo
Another great guinea pig shampoo is this one from J.R.LIGGETT’S, an all-natural shampoo with a mild formula that gently cleanses your cavy’s skin.
Most detergent products dry skin and fur, but this shampoo offers virgin coconut and almond natural oils that soak into your cavy’s fur, reducing itchiness and flakiness.
Quality
The non-detergent liquid shampoo is handmade in the USA in small batches, ensuring its quality. It uses pet-safe and cruelty-free ingredients that have a delicate scent or rosemary, lavender, and lemongrass, leaving your guinea pig’s fur fresh and clean.
It doesn’t contain any tea tree oil (very toxic to cavies), sulfates, or GMOs too, just natural goodness that protects and rehydrates your piggy’s skin.
Texture
The only downside of this shampoo is its tendency to clump together when scrubbed into your cavy’s coat. You will need to rinse your guinea pig thoroughly to remove all of the product from their fur.
Specs
- Bottle Size: 8.45 oz
- Shampoo Type: Liquid
- Brand: J.R.LIGGETT’S
Pros
- Sulphate and cruelty free
- Ideal for long-haired guinea pigs
- Relieves skin irritation and itchiness
- Natural enriched formula that doesn’t harm small animals
Cons
- Can leave your pet’s fur a bit sticky
Earthbath Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo
Made using only the best natural ingredients, Earthbath Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo is non-irritating and mild to keep your piggy’s coat clean and healthy.
Earthbath Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo
The last shampoo I recommend for guinea pigs is the Earthbath Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo, boasting a hypoallergenic and natural formula that’s designed specifically for small animals with skin allergies and sensitivities.
Ingredients
It’s made from organic ingredients such as renewable plant-derived and coconut oil based cleansers and organic vera.
It contains vitamin E to support your cavy’s coat health, keep their fur soft and luscious locks ultra healthy.
I appreciate the formula being soap-free with no dyes, sulfates, parabens, and alcohol as these cause skin irritation in guinea pigs and dry out their coats.
PH Balanced
I also like that the formula is pH balanced so it doesn’t strip your cavy’s fur of its natural oils.
The only fault I could find with this shampoo is its tendency to weigh down your cavy’s coat. Make sure you give your piggy’s fur a more thorough rinse than usual when using this product.
Specs
- Brand: Earthbath
- Bottle Size: 16 oz
- Shampoo Type: Liquid
Pros
- Contains vitamin E
- Free of soap, sulphates, dyes, alcohol
- Contains organic and natural ingredients
Cons
- Can weigh down your cavy’s coat if not rinsed thoroughly
Do Guinea Pigs Need Baths?
Guinea pigs are fairly efficient self-groomers, so they don’t need frequent baths (once a month at most). The only times you should bathe your guinea pig are when they’re dirty, smelly, or infested with mites/fleas.
Elderly or sick guinea pigs, as well as those with long hair, may need to be bathed frequently if they are unable to groom themselves properly.
Cavies can also benefit from baths in the summer months to prevent flystrike, a potentially deadly condition that occurs when blowflies lay eggs on your guinea pig’s fur (usually around their private areas). You might need to use medicated shampoo if your pet is experiencing lice or fungal problems.
What Is a Safe Guinea Pig Shampoo?
A safe shampoo for guinea pigs is gentle, natural, and free of harsh chemicals like alcohol, sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances/dyes.
It shouldn’t contain any tea tree as this is toxic to guinea pigs if ingested.
Other oils that can harm your guinea pig include eucalyptus, thyme, clove, wintergreen, and camphor.
Can You Give a Guinea Pig a Bath with Regular Shampoo?
You shouldn’t bathe your guinea pig with regular or human shampoo as it can be extremely irritating on their sensitive skin. Human shampoo products are formulated for the pH of human skin, so using them on pets can be highly drying, and potentially cause itchiness, flakiness, and sores to your guinea pig’s sensitive skin.
TIP
You can use shampoos designed for animals like cats, ferrets, and dogs as long as they are natural, hypoallergenic, and don’t contain any harmful ingredients like tea tree or eucalyptus.
Can You Bathe a Guinea Pig with Baby Shampoo?
While baby shampoo is designed to be mild and delicate, it’s still unsuitable to use on guinea pigs. Baby shampoo can dry out your guinea pig’s coat, as well as contain chemicals that can cause an allergic reaction or can irritate your guinea pig’s delicate skin.
Can You Bathe a Guinea Pig with Dish Soap?
Dish soap isn’t a good substitute for guinea pig shampoo as it contains a lot of harsh chemicals. Even unscented and mild dish soaps can irritate and dry a guinea pig’s sensitive skin.
While some guinea pig owners use mild, unscented dish soap diluted with warm water to clean their guinea pigs’ glands, I personally wouldn’t advise this. A good-quality shampoo for guinea pigs should be more than sufficient for cutting through grease and oil.
How to Bathe a Guinea Pig with Shampoo?
Bathing a guinea pig can be a bit challenging as most cavies don’t enjoy the process (my pair even getting their paws wet!). However, you can make the experience go a lot smoother for both you and your pet with these tips below:
- Make sure you have all the products and equipment you need ready before you start bathing your guinea pig.
- The things you’ll need are a soft towel (maybe a few if your guinea pig likes to make a splash), cavy shampoo or medicated shampoo, brush, jug, basin/bucket (if not washing your pet in the sink), treats, and blow dryer (if using one).
- Try getting your cavy used to the water before dunking them in. Using a jug, pour warm water over your pet’s paws to see how they react. Once your cavy is comfortable, rub the shampoo on your cavy’s damp coat.
- Try to distract your guinea pig during bathtime with treats and toys. You can also try talking to them in a soft, soothing voice.
For a more detailed guide on bathing guinea pigs, take a look at my other post here. It will help make bathtime a more positive procedure for both you and your pet!
How To Properly Dry Your Guinea Pig
Properly drying your guinea pig after their bath is crucial, otherwise, they could catch a chill. Once you’ve rinsed off your guinea pig with warm water, wrap them in a soft towel for a few minutes.
Don’t wrap it around their body too tightly and make sure you don’t cover their head. After you’ve towel dried your guinea pig, use a blow dryer on the lowest setting to help them dry off quicker.
How Often Should You Bathe Your Guinea Pig?
You should only bathe your guinea pig when it’s strictly necessary, such as when they have urine/feces stuck in their fur that can’t be removed with a brush and small amount of warm water or dry/waterless shampoo.
Washing your cavy excessively can result in skin irritation and dry out their coat by stripping it of its natural oils. It can also put them at risk for respiratory infections. Try not bathe your cavy more than once a month to keep their fur healthy and soft.
Here’s a quick informative video about bathing guinea pigs.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helped you find the best guinea pig shampoo for your cavy. Remember to only use shampoos designed for small animals – don’t be tempted to use ones targeted for human skin just because they’re cheaper!
As a quick reminder, here are my top 3 guinea pig shampoos.
- Balanced pH
- Effectively eliminates odors
- Completely tearless shampoo
- Offers gentle cleansing
- Removes dirt and odors
- Ideal for pets that hate bathing
- Highly concentrated shampoo
- Completely natural and organic ingredients
- Ideal for small animals with dry skin or sensitive skin
Top Pick
The Kaytee Squeaky Clean Critter Shampoo is ideal for cavies, especially those with particularly sensitive skin, as it has balanced pH and tearless formula. It also features a baby powder fragrance.
Best Value
The Kaytee Quick & Clean Critter Dry Shampoo is both affordable and effective. This waterless shampoo efficiently removes dirt and bad smells from your pet’s skin without the hassle of bathing with warm water.
Editor’s Choice
Fluppets Certified Organic Pet Shampoo is a sulfate-free shampoo that’s cruelty-free and made using all natural ingredients. It contains organic oils from aloe vera, jobola, and olive to rehydrate your piggy’s coat and leave it feeling silky soft.
Feel Free To Share!
Thanks for reading this article on pet shampoos for guinea pigs. Did you find the ideal shampoo to keep your guinea pig clean? If you have a spare minute, please share it around with your friends and family so they can find the right guinea pig shampoo.
If you need some more recommendations and advice on guinea pig equipment/accessories, check out my other posts here.
