Do Hairless Guinea Pigs Smell?

Many people wonder if guinea pigs, especially the hairless ones, have a bad odor. The simple answer is that they shouldn’t smell. However, if they do, it’s often a sign that something isn’t right. Below, we’ll go through reasons why a guinea pig might smell and how you can keep your pet smelling fresh.

Why Guinea Pigs Shouldn’t Smell

Healthy guinea pigs, including hairless ones, are generally clean animals. They like to groom themselves and enjoy clean living spaces. If they start to smell unpleasant, it’s likely a problem with their environment, health, or diet.

A lot of people think guinea pigs smell because they might have had a bad experience with other small pets. For example, some pets like hamsters can have a strong odor, but guinea pigs usually don’t. They mostly smell like the hay and bedding they live in.

Personal Experience with Guinea Pigs

One guinea pig owner shared that her husband was worried about smell before they adopted their pets. But, after bringing home Ruby and Magic, they were both surprised at how clean the guinea pigs stayed. Their fur had a nice smell of hay, not a bad odor at all.

The guinea pigs lived in a clean cage with fleece liners, which were changed every two or three days. The owner noticed that even the type of bedding could change how the guinea pigs smell. When they stayed at a friend’s house with wood shavings, they smelled different, but not bad.

Common Causes of Smell

If you notice a bad odor from your guinea pig, there are a few reasons this might be happening:

Scent Gland Issues
Guinea pigs have a scent gland near their tailbone. Sometimes, this gland can get clogged, especially in males (boars). This can cause a bad smell. Cleaning the area with mild soap and water usually helps.

Dirty Cage
A dirty cage is one of the most common reasons for a smelly guinea pig. Their bedding needs to be changed every few days. Spot cleaning—removing poop and wet bedding—helps too. Some guinea pig owners do this two or three times a day.

Wet Fur
Guinea pigs don’t like to stay wet. If they sit in wet bedding or lounge in the same place they pee, they can get uncomfortable. This can lead to health issues and bad smells. Using pee pads in their favorite spots can help keep them dry.

Health Issues Like Bumblefoot
If your guinea pig’s feet smell, it might have a condition called bumblefoot. This happens when their feet get infected due to poor bedding or hygiene. It’s painful and needs quick attention from a vet.

Bathing
Guinea pigs groom themselves often. You rarely need to bathe them. In fact, too many baths can dry out their skin. If your guinea pig does need a bath, make it gentle and only do it a few times a year.

How to Keep Your Guinea Pig Smelling Fresh

Clean the cage regularly: Use clean, dry bedding like fleece liners, and change them every few days.
Spot clean daily: Remove poop and wet spots to keep things fresh.
Watch for health problems: Check for signs of infection, especially on their feet.
Use good-quality bedding: Fleece liners or soft hay can make a big difference.