Drinking Lots of water?

[RachelS]

Hello everyone! I just bought a new male guinea pig yesterday. I don't exactly know what age he is (he has to be under two months for he is significantly smaller than my other one was when he was 2 months old.) I've noticed he's been drinking a lot more water than my other one does. Is that something to be concerned about? He seemed to visit the water bottle a lot while in store as well. I might be over reacting but the last guinea pig I bought from there ended up getting pneumonia and ring worm within a week of having him.
Thank you for you help in advance !

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s always a good idea to have a new piggy vet checked particularly pet store pigs who can harbour illnesses. Pet store piggies may not get enough veggies so he may just be thirstier but do check with a vet.

Have you put the new one in with your existing piggy?

 

[PigglePuggle]

I agree a vet check is always recommended for new piggies, also a 2 week quarantine before they meet the others- but if you have already skipped quarantine please dont separate now as that would be stressful and if they have already met then they've already exchanged any possible infections!

The amount piggies drink varies hugely, and piggies who get bored easily or have had a stressful background can just have an obsession with water bottle rattling and possibly arent even drinking the water they are letting it run onto the floor! My skinny pig is an obsessive water bottle rattler if she gets bored or wants to get my attention, and my big old floofy girl Jezzy drinks about 300mls of water a day, whereas I rarely see some of the others drinking at all.

But a vet check to establish what is normal for your new piggy and check he hasnt brought any of the sadly very common pet shop illnesses home is definitely a good idea!

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everyone! I just bought a new male guinea pig yesterday. I don't exactly know what age he is (he has to be under two months for he is significantly smaller than my other one was when he was 2 months old.) I've noticed he's been drinking a lot more water than my other one does. Is that something to be concerned about? He seemed to visit the water bottle a lot while in store as well. I might be over reacting but the last guinea pig I bought from there ended up getting pneumonia and ring worm within a week of having him.
Thank you for you help in advance !

Hi and welcome

The amount of water that guinea pigs drink individually can vary enormously from not drinking at all to empyting a 300 ml bottle daily - and if they do it regularly, then it is obviously their own 'normal'.
Here is more detailed information on drinking: All About Drinking And Bottles

If there are any sudden changes that cannot be explained by problems with the bottle (blockage or dripping), changes in climate (heat spikes, air conditioning or heating coming on) etc. or especially if they happen in combination with weight loss or vague signs of pain, then please see a vet (which we recommend anyway for any new guinea pig that has not been adopted from a rescue with good standard care (quarantine and medical vet care policy).

 

[RachelS]

Hi and welcome

The amount of water that guinea pigs drink individually can vary enormously from not drinking at all to empyting a 300 ml bottle daily - and if they do it regularly, then it is obviously their own 'normal'.
Here is more detailed information on drinking: All About Drinking And Bottles

If there are any sudden changes that cannot be explained by problems with the bottle (blockage or dripping), changes in climate (heat spikes, air conditioning or heating coming on) etc. or especially if they happen in combination with weight loss or vague signs of pain, then please see a vet (which we recommend anyway for any new guinea pig that has not been adopted from a rescue with good standard care (quarantine and medical vet care policy).

Thank you! And I got him from a store where I was told they get have to have the health check by a vet before being out out. But I am thinking of bringing him to a vet anyway.b