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Guinea Pigs Swimming: Everything You Need To Know

Guinea Pigs are social, cuddly, and fun to watch as they play. An intriguing pet for people of all ages, this tiny pet entertains by doing such things as jumping and climbing, investigating their environment and with their snouts, and running on their hind legs.

Guinea pigs like to be with you and your family, so they must be kept in pairs or groups. Each guinea pig should have its cage. Open-air homes are an essential part of guinea pig care. The guinea pig is domesticated species of rodent that was made into a pet 3000 years ago. They are also called cavies, originated from South America.


Can Guinea Pigs Swim?

Yes, but it is not something they especially like doing and only do when their lives are in danger. It would be nice to know what you should and shouldn’t do if you accidentally drop your pet guinea pig into a swimming pool, even though it is not suggested to do so right away.

Their wild counterparts will not be found near rivers or ponds, taking a dip or a swim. They are capable of doing so, but it does not imply you should force them. If a guinea pig is placed in sufficiently deep water, it will swim merely to prevent drowning. It does it because of the survival instinct, not because they enjoy it.

If you want your guinea pig to swim, don't force it.
If you want your guinea pig to swim, don’t force it.

Swimming requires a lot of energy from a guinea pig’s tiny size, and they will become tired of it so fast.

Expert Tip: If you want your guinea pig to swim, don’t force it instead, give it a try. Filling the bathtub to the point where the guinea pig can stand freely on one side is a good idea since most bathtubs are shallower than the other.



Is Swimming Dangerous to Guinea Pigs?

Is Swimming Dangerous to Guinea Pigs?
Is Swimming Dangerous to Guinea Pigs?

Whether or not your guinea pig has been adequately trained, they will most likely be placed in deep water. The most secure option is to ensure that your pet does not have easy access to any water sources. They may be pretty dangerous to your tiny pet’s health.

Even though they can swim, all animals need unique adaptations to do this activity, and guinea pigs were not created to perform such a thing. The most important piece of advice is to keep your guinea pig away from any potentially dangerous bodies of water.

The swimming pool may not be the right choice for your guinea pig, due to which it can experience health problems. Due to their size, they have difficulty swimming and maintaining their strength, plus in the excitements, they might forget how to breathe, which can lead to drowning.


How to Train Guinea Pigs to Swim?

How to Train Guinea Pigs to Swim?
How to Train Guinea Pigs to Swim?

Even though cavies are very intelligent pets, they are unable to understand the idea of water. Water is simply another location they are afraid of. Even animals have some form of survival instinct that permits them to sense danger even if they cannot understand why it is dangerous.

Cavies aren’t an exception to this rule. Their survival instinct causes them to be scared of things they are not familiar with. As a result, exposing your pet to water will be stressful for them, and to guarantee that it does not fall into the water without proper monitoring, you will need to take extra precautions.

Expert Tip: You can teach your pet guinea pig to swim. You have to break down their natural tendencies and practice daily with them in warm water.


These are steps:

1. Fill the tub halfway with water and gently familiarize your guinea pig with the water, encouraging it to dip its paws in.

2. Speak to the guinea pig softly and soothingly. You may need to cup her between your hands and gently hold her in the water, letting her slowly get accustomed to it.

3. Use your hands or towel to pull the guinea pig out of the water after she had a chance to enjoy her new experience. Treats and verbal praise should be used to encourage her.

4. Continue using this method until your guinea pig shows no fear or resistance symptoms.

5. Then you may place your guinea pig in the tub and remove your hands. Please continue to give her treats and praise during and after she gets out of the water.

6. Once it has begun to love plating in the water, add some pet toys or other diversions to the water to keep your guinea pig entertained. Take note of these two essential safety precautions:

  • First, keep an eye on your guinea pig at all times while she is swimming, and remove her from the water immediately if she shows signs of worry and pain.
  • Second, keep your guinea pig away from chlorinated water as it might irritate her delicate skin and eyes. To disinfect swimming pools, chlorine is often used to prevent bacterial development, but it is also added to tap water to comply with Environmental Protection Agency requirements.

    Chlorine is known to remove the skin’s natural oil, allowing for the opportunity for dry and irritated skin.


Why Not Teach Guinea Pigs to Swim?

Why Not Teach Guinea Pigs to Swim?
Why Not Teach Guinea Pigs to Swim?

The guinea pig, which you love the most, was not created to swim. This implies they are susceptible to water since massive amounts may rapidly drown them. Although they can float they do not have a layer of fat under their skin and may quickly die if exposed to excessive amounts of water.


Here are some reasons why you should avoid them swimming:

1. Respiratory Tract Infection – Once you get your cavy wet, don’t forget to dry her off. Cavies are very cold-sensitive. They cannot regulate their body temperature, which means that any water remaining on the skin may ultimately cause hypothermia.

Advise your kids not to take their guinea pig swimming since this may be dangerous. It may result in the development of Respiratory Tract Infection or Pneumonia.

2. Skin Disease – Due to the fragile skin of guinea pigs, it is not encouraged to put your pet in water. Even if they can swim, they are not needed to do so since they are created to remain on the land. Additionally, it may promote fungal formation if they spend a more extended amount of time in the water.

3. Ear Infection – If your guinea pig constantly shakes its head and you hear a screech or grinding sound within her ears, she most likely has an ear infection. If water manages to enter into your pet’s ear, this is what may happen.

4. Stress and Depression – There will be behavioral changes in the depressed guinea pig, such as decreased playfulness, decreased social contacts with other guinea pigs, and decreased exploratory activities. The behavior of a domestic guinea pig is similar to a sad and unmotivated person.

To make the problem worse, veterinarians know that forcing a guinea pig to do something it doesn’t want to do, such as learning to swim, creates significant stress.

5. Physically Exhausted – Though some owners do train their guinea pigs to swim, it’s certainly not recommended. First of all, guinea pigs aren’t used to swimming consequently, they’re going to be physically exhausted every time they go into the water, and they can quickly get drowned.

Their immune system might weaken after a swim.

6. Temperature Can Shock Them – When it comes to your guinea pig’s water temperature, there are a few things you should be aware of. Cooler water can lead to a shock, but the effects aren’t nearly as harmful as a sudden drop in temperature. Avoid that by slowly introducing your guinea pig to warmer water.


Do Guinea Pigs Like to Get Wet?

Do Guinea Pigs Like to Get Wet?
Do Guinea Pigs Like to Get Wet?

This common question that many guinea pig owners ask. There are different opinions on this topic. Some people believe that guinea pigs like water and enjoy relaxing in the bathtub or the pool, while others say that these small pets prefer staying away from moisture and dislike playing in the water.

However, in most cases, guinea pigs do not like water. Water is not a favorite of guinea pigs. Bathing your pet guinea pig is not essential since it is capable of cleaning itself. A cavy might die from shock if washed too often. Guinea pigs are self-cleaning like cats.

Expert Tip: They usually do not need bathing however, they may require one if they are dirty or have a specific skin disease. Some guinea pigs dislike drinking water at all. Instead of drinking water, they will keep their bodies hydrated by eating more veggies and other foods.

Some people think that if they give their pets more space to run around, their brains could somehow trigger thirst and they will be willing to drink water.


Conclusion

Swimming is not something that most guinea pigs love or prefer to do. They don’t think it’s enjoyable, and they don’t think they’ll need to learn swimming for enjoyment, they’d instead remain above ground.

Water is entirely foreign to a guinea pig’s natural habitat, and forcing them to be in a situation that is out of their comfort zone would only stress them out and negatively impact their overall well-being.

About Rencel Leyran