Tiny Paws – The Guinea Pig Groomer

Nervous about nail clipping? No idea about grease glands? Guinea pig in a bit of a tangle?

I am the answer to all of your guinea pig grooming related prayers! I am experienced in every aspect of grooming with a wide variety of breeds of guinea pig – smooth, long, backwards, curly, rough, wiry, rexoid, frizzy, wavy, mixed – and have tackled characters ranging from extremely laid-back to very highly-strung.

WHY OFFER A GROOMING SERVICE?

It’s normal and very common to feel daunted at the prospect of regularly trimming nails, bathing, cleaning grease glands, ears and ‘boys bits’, and cutting the hair of any long-haired piggies. Especially if those piggies are new, young, a little bit on the senior side, have chronic health concerns, have gotten a little bit out-of-control, if time’s run away with you and you’ve fallen behind on maintenance – or if you just don’t feel confident in going through the process with them.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

I offer a top-to-toe grooming service on a drop-off-pick-up (or collection/drop-off) basis. All of my boarding guineas get a free nail clip as standard. Many of my clients are repeat visitors, coming back to have every grooming need tended to. Services include:

• Haircut
• Matt removal
• Bathing
• Parasite checks
• Skin checks
• Parasite/skin management options + advice
• Nail clipping
• Foot spur removal
• Ear cleaning
• Grease gland cleaning
• Boar maintenance/check/clean
• Basic health check
• Weight check

HOW OFTEN DO THEY NEED GROOMING?

Most of my clients visit on average every 2-3 months.

Based on experience, I advise full grooms every 2 months for long-haired piggies and any pigs of advancing age, or with chronic or monitored health concerns.

I recommend every 2-3 months for short-haired breeds – even if only to deal with the basics (nails, foot spurs, ears, grease glands, and Boys Bits).

WHAT’S IN A FULL GROOM?

Included in a full groom (“Short Full” or “Long Full”) is:

• Hair trimming/cutting to provide a functional haircut according to the season (top length short unless agreed with owner)
• Nail clipping and foot spur removal, plus application of a Gorgeous Guineas foot ointment if feet are very dry
• Grease gland de-grease using Swarfega and trimming hair around gland if heavily greased
• Boar maintenance/care – penis and anal sac rinse to remove surface debris (smegma, calcium sludge, hairs, hay, bedding), ensuring the end of the urethra is clear of obstruction, + faecal (anal sac) impaction clearing
• Ear cleaning (drops and gentle swipe with cotton buds to visible folds only to remove excessive wax + debris)
• Bath (plus pre-bath skin-conditioning Melt, if needed) using an appropriate Gorgeous Guineas guinea pig shampoo
• Blowdry with hairdryer (avoided during warmer months where possible in favour of natural drying indoors here or at home)

CAN YOU COME AND GROOM MY GUINEA PIGS AT MY HOME?

I can offer a basic grooming package in your own home which includes nail clipping, foot spur removal, ear cleaning, boar checks/maintenance and basic health checks.

For practical reasons I am unable to carry out bathing, grease-gland cleaning or haircuts at your home; these can only be provided on-site at Tiny Paws.

If your pets need a full groom but you are unable to bring them to me, I can come and collect your guinea pigs and drop them off for you after their groom again for an extra fee. Please see the Mobile Service page for details on the area I cover and costs.