Anyone's guineas only use water bowls?

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Jillybean

My 3 3-month old boys won't touch a water bottle. The level doesn't go down at all so I know they don't use it when I'm not there. I think they use the water bowl (Teddy had a very wet chin when I tickled him yesterday!) and the water level does go down a bit from the bowl they use in an outside run. Does anyone else just use bowls?
 
Nope, all mine have water bottles ive had rescues that have been poorly (in my opinon) taught/kept that havent known how to use it, but they soon figure it out, i personally wouldnt use a water bowl..it can be easily tipped, full of sawdust/bedding/poop, and you cant tell how much they are drinking  :)

Also if you give them a lot of greens they will get their water from there so wont need to use the bottle so much :)
 
Maybe if you "borrow" an adult pig that knows how to work a bottle, they will follow from the other pigs example :smitten:
 
Mine have always used bottles - I did have one that just couldn't use a bottle and seemed to try and eat the end, rather than lick it... she watched the bunnies in the next run and within a few weeks was drinking from it... - I agree with Perfectpiggies.. would be better to try and get the littleun's to learn how to use a bottle as its a lot cleaner than bowls... maybe trying to rub something round the end of the bottle that would attract them to it and would make them lick it could help? just a thought ;)

Good luck O0 O0
 
i adopted Rosie from the rspca and was told that she wouldn't use a bottle ,she went in with some of my other girls and i put a bowl in with them never saw her use the bowl ,she just followed the others to the bottle ;D

kerryx
 
Hmmm.. I've never had that problem. I have heard not to use bowls for reasons already mentioned, and the fact that they urinate in it too, and drink that...yuck....I would take your piggy to the vet to have his/her teath and mouth checked just to make sure there isn't a problem causing the pig not to use the bottle. That's the first thing I would do, then, I'd put the bottle on, try to teach the pig how to use meanwhile put fresh foods high in water, cucumbers being one of them, and see if in time the piggy begins using it. Be careful with food high in sugar and other stuff though!
 
Duke and Sully (RIP) never used a bottle, had no idea what to do stupid people never showed them :tickedoff: :tickedoff: and they don't drink out of the bowl, we've never seen either of them use the water bowl :o :o :o
I syringe water for Duke O0 oh btw i still clean out his bowl every day and give him fresh water, just in case he wants to have a try ::) and he can't wee in it as it's deepish so he's have to put his butt into it to pee in it ;D ;D
 
Blimey, wish I hadn't posted now, I feel like I'm a really bad owner now, reading through those replies!

A bottle has been in with them from day 1 - their mum used a bottle, they just never have. I've had them all out and gently put the bottle to their lips so they all know what it does.

The suggestion to borrow another guinea to show them - no way! I have 5 other guineas - all girls - don't think I'll put them in! And to introduce any males would be stupid - it'll cause fights.

There's no point taking them to the vets - it's all of them, not just one, and they eat everything fine.

I change the water bowl frequently - it is not possible to tip it over and they can't wee/poo in it, wrong angle!

They have fresh food 3 times a day, always cucumber/grass first thing and last thing because I don't want them going too long without moisture.

Thanks for the suggestions but I'll stick with the bowl for the moment.

ps Glynis - 'stupid people never showed them' - maybe Duke & Sully just didn't take to a bottle - like mine.
 
I know mine only drink from the bowl. Only the bunny will drink from a bottle
 
JB, my friends rabbit only uses a bowl and prefers to drink rain water than tap water :) You're not alone :)
 
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