About Jenny Atkins Expertise If your guinea pig has stopped eating, is having fits, looks puffed up or listless, is bleeding, has lost weight suddenly or is squeaking in pain then please, do not delay in taking him/her to a vet. Preferably a specialist small animal or exotic pet vet, but don't worry if you can't find one.
If you suspect your guinea pig is pregnant, has mites, is losing hair or you have a question about diet, cages, toys, exercise etc then look at my past answers before you ask your question, as it may save you time.
Otherwise, go ahead and ask me a question! My areas of expertise are in how to choose your guinea pigs, where to get them from and what you need before you bring your new pets home. I can also help with general care and dietary questions, with treating common illnesses (especially skin complaints), pregnancy and baby guinea pigs (though I do not approve of purposeful 'at home' breeding), and how to introduce two males.
I'd recommend The Really Useful Guinea Pig Guide by Myra Mahoney and Piggy Potions by Peter Gurney to all guinea pig owners - these books will tell you everything you need to know to ensure your guinea pigs have happy and healthy lives. I practically memorised these before I was allowed my first guinea pigs as a teenager!
Experience I absolutely love guinea pigs, and I think they make brilliant pets for the right owners. They are incredibly sociable animals and should always be kept in pairs, or a larger group (females only). If you spend lots of time with your guinea pigs, they will become very tame and friendly little creatures. I am very much a pet owner, and provide answers based on my personal experiences with my pet piggies, and what I've learned from books along the way. I'm not a breeder or a vet, so I can't answer questions about breeding, breeds or complicated illnesses. I have kept both boars and sows, and have had my share of unexpected newborns in the early days. I've had a total of 11 guinea pigs over the years - all adorable in their own way - including my current two boars (Almeida and Simba) whose cage has pride of place in my living room. When you have guinea pigs you learn something new about them every day!
Education/Credentials 2:1 Honours Degree in Creative Arts with English
Guinea Pigs - My Guinea Pigs are fat and smell bad
Expert: Jenny Atkins - 4/25/2009
Question I have two guinea pigs they are both girls and seem to smell a lot they live inside in a cage and I wash their cage e regularly but they still smell I don't know what to do can you help me one of them is also obese and we tried to give her less food but shes still stays obese what do I do for her I also want to put them in a show soon so how do I make them look their best in a few months to win the show please help and respond.
Answer Hi Abbie,
I don't know anything about showing guinea pigs - sorry.
Are you sure she is obese (confirmed by a vet) and not just plump or even pregnant? Take her for a check-up before you change her diet.
To keep them clean you need to bath them - once every 2 months. You can use a mild baby shampoo, or a special guinea pig shampoo from www.gorgeousguineas.com - don't use shampoo for adult humans, or pet shampoo from pet shops.
