Advice on water for our piggies

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KimberleysWheekers

KimberleysWheekers

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We've had our piggies for just over a week now. The indoor cage that we bought came with a water bottle, but it was rubbish. I bought another one from the pet shop and this was also rubbish. They both leaked.

I ordered a Living World one off of the internet because we used the same type when we had rats a few years ago and we/they got on really well with it.

Whilst we were waiting for it to arrive, we put their drinking water into the plastic bowl that came with the cage as we had already bought another food bowl for them.

I have to say, I barely saw them drink from the bowl but they looked happy and healthy so I think they must have been drinking at night/when I am at work.

The new bottle arrived, and no leaks! :) I've attached it to the cage (last night), but its quite high because of the tray base of the cage so they don't realise that it is there. I held it lower in the cage today and they've both had a little go with it, but I'm worried that they still wont find it now it's attached back on to the cage.

SO... After that long story... My question... Should I put a bowl back in the cage or do you think that they will find the bottle on their own? My main concern with a bowl of water is that I can not tell how much they have drank, if anything.

Any advice appriciated!
Thank you :)
 
its a difficult one,i use a water bottle and water bowl in each cage just incase one of them happens to fail while I'm out then they have a backup(I'm a worrier like that) i generally mark where i full up to with water bottles to keep an eye on it.Some pigs drink alot and others drink minimal amounts its not something to worry about,they get alot of water from the veg they get anyway so its always difficult to know exactly how much they are getting,if you ever have any real worrys with how much they drink best get to a vet just to be safe xxxxxxxxxxx
 
I used to use both, water bowl were quite messy with them flinging poos and hay in there or the odd tipping.

All of mine eventually learned how to use a water bottle. 2 of my girls do not drink near as much as the other 3 cages but they're fine.
 
You could put something on the floor under the bottle for them to use as a step if you think it's too high? I'd keep both bottle and bowl until you're sure they're using the bottle, and lots of watery veg!

Sophie
x
 
Welcome to the forum. :)

Piggies can take a little while to learn to find and use the water bottle, especially young ones; most are also reluctant to drink water from a bowl. Have you got a brick or square tile that you can put under the water bottle, for them to stand on? This will ensure they can reach the bottle, then you can keep showing them where the water is by tapping the end of the bottle to release some water - they will hear and/or see what you are doing and should eventually twig that if they tap the end, they can get water too!

P.S. Sophie posted while I was typing...great minds think alike. :))
 
If you put a brick under the bottle, this will absorb any leaks, also when the piggies climb up it help with their nails. Little ones are usually helped by this too, if you feel they can't reach. Most of mine have bricks. x
 
I have had the same problem before with my piggies. I would generally go for the water bottle over the bowl as it can become messy and dirty with the bowl. I have recently seen a water bottle with a long spout on it from Pets at Home, so maybe try there?
Hope this helps:))
 
Thank you everyone for the advice. I put the bowl back in after I posted last night. I've seen Sasha having a go with the bottle, but not Mabelle as yet. Will keep an eye on them. Going to try a makeshift platform too i think.

Thanks again! :)
 
If you go to Pets and Home they have some wooden platforms that screw onto the mesh fencing bit, i think these are for chinchillas and other animals, but I'm sure wood work well with the piggies! good luck x
 
You could try those wooden bridges I;ve seem them used in P@H for little piggies who can't reach the bottle. I've seen they using them too which is very sweet. Something like this :

http://www.petsathome.com/find/cate...gory-is-6B+Boredom+breakers/product-is-V00163

I think the small one would be big enough. Also they are a lot cheaper in wilkinsons (though they only sell the small ones) I think they are only about 1.50-2.00 there!
 
You could try those wooden bridges I;ve seem them used in P@H for little piggies who can't reach the bottle. I've seen they using them too which is very sweet. Something like this :

http://www.petsathome.com/find/cate...gory-is-6B+Boredom+breakers/product-is-V00163

I think the small one would be big enough. Also they are a lot cheaper in wilkinsons (though they only sell the small ones) I think they are only about 1.50-2.00 there!
 
Briony_Y said:
I think the small one would be big enough. Also they are a lot cheaper in wilkinsons (though they only sell the small ones) I think they are only about 1.50-2.00 there!
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Thanks Briony! I live very close to a Wilkos and we have a pet shop furter up the road which I think will have them if Wilkos doesn't. i'll give them a go if they are that cheap!
 
I was amazed by the difference in P@H and Wilko's prices. Wilkos stock a fairly good range too.

I will be trying Wilko's first before anywhere else from now on.
 
Lisajazz said:
I was amazed by the difference in P@H and Wilko's prices. Wilkos stock a fairly good range too.

I will be trying Wilko's first before anywhere else from now on.
Click to expand...

yes they have dried herbs only a few types though and rabbit bowls / bottles etc.. much cheaper! they also do those orange chubes perfect for guineas for 1.50 think they are about 2.50 at p@H I always get a couple every now and then as they are perfect for playpen time!

oh mustn't forget toys are cheap too! mine love those carrots made of paper or raffia (not sure) they are so dear at p@h but think they are 75/79p at wilkos!
 
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Mine don't drink water whilst they're in the outdoor hutch but I make sure theres always a bottle attached to the hutch & don't dry their veggies off after rinsing them. The funny thing is that when I bring them in for the winter they drink loads we often have to top the bottle up twice a day.We put that down to the central heating.
 
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