Grooming hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, mice and gerbils

Talk about fastidious! Guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice and gerbils are extremely meticulous, and keep themselves looking good by grooming their coats from paw to tail several times a day. Should your pet's fur need extra attention, however, he'll appreciate some help from you to look his best.

Brushing and combing

As your pet's back-up hairstylist, some of the first skills you'll need to master are brushing and combing. If your furry friend's got a short coat, we recommend that you gently brush it out about once a week. This will help remove any mats, dust, food or stray bedding that your little guy didn't get to. A small, soft-bristled toothbrush will work well, and you'll also find a variety of tools for the task, such as critter-sized combs and bristle brushes, at pet supply stores.

If you have a long-haired guinea pig, teddy bear hamster, or other animal with a particularly thick or curly coat, however, you will need to tend to your pet's coat a bit more often. Daily brushing can really help prevent mats. And a special note to Silky and Peruvian guinea pig owners: To ensure that your pet's hair doesn't drag through dirty litter or get caught on anything in his cage, you may need to trim his hair every now and then – just short enough so he can't step on it, please.

Brushing sessions are an ideal time to check your pet for lumps, bumps, wounds or other conditions that could signal a health problem. Be on the lookout for flea dirt, which looks like tiny specks of pepper, or other signs of parasite infestation.

Nail trimming

Through normal wear and tear, your pet's nails should stay nicely worn down. If they tend to be on the long or sharp side, it may help to put some rough bricks or rocks in your pet's cage; when he runs and climbs over them, he's not only getting in some good exercise, but also filing his nails!

In some instances, however, the nails can become so overgrown that they curl back into the paw pad, causing pain and rendering an animal unable to walk properly. Should this happen to your pet, you will need to bring him to the veterinarian for a nail trimming.

Companion rats tend to have sharp nails, and many owners regularly trim their pet's nails every 6 to 8 weeks or so. This can cut down on accidental scratches during handling and playtime. If you would like to cut your rat's nails, we recommend that you have your veterinarian or professional small-animal groomer show you how to do it first. If you don't know exactly what you're doing, you could accidentally hurt your pet by cutting into the sensitive quick (the vein that runs into the nail) or even one of his little toes.

Bathing

Regular bathing of your little critter is NOT recommended. Companion rodents do great jobs of keeping themselves clean, and a bath can be highly stressful for them. If you need to remove urine stains or feces from your pet's bottom, however, spot cleaning works great. Use a soapy washcloth with lukewarm water and gently wipe away the dirt. You can also use special wet wipes, available at pet supply stores, to safely clean and moisturize your little guy's coat.

If your critter has external parasites, such as fleas or lice, your veterinarian may advise you to bathe your pet. Be sure to follow the vet's instructions on how to do so carefully and precisely!