Not Drinking

[Reenie]

Is it normal for guinea pigs not to drink? I've fostered several in the past, who drank varying amounts, but my three babies never drink any of their water. They are about 15wks old, I've had them since they were about 9 weeks. They get plenty of fresh veggies, and get out on the grass a couple of times a week, so is it just that they get enough fluid that through their food? They don't show any symptoms of being unwell. Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Is it normal for guinea pigs not to drink? I've fostered several in the past, who drank varying amounts, but my three babies never drink any of their water. They are about 15wks old, I've had them since they were about 9 weeks. They get plenty of fresh veggies, and get out on the grass a couple of times a week, so is it just that they get enough fluid that through their food? They don't show any symptoms of being unwell. Thanks

Drinking from a bottle is something that young guinea pigs learn from their elders. If that has not happened, then it is much harder. Your little ones won't dehydrate.
All About Drinking And Bottles

 

[Reenie]

Thank you so much for this very interesting article. I'll try the cucumber/orange juice trick and see if they learn to use the bottle. I'm really glad I asked. Thanks again!

 

[rome_italy]

My two piggies who are now almost 7 months old never drank a single drop of water in all their life... they drink only 2-3 syringes of water but only because I add some drops of cranberry which they love...
Anyway they are well hydrated, make a lot of wee and take their water from the grass and the vegs. I consulted two expert vets and they say it is okay and that I should not worry.
One of my piggie is definitely not interested in the bottle, the other one knows how the bottle works because if I put on her mouth the bottle with cranberry inside, she starts drinkong a little bit; but after some drops she turns around. They are not thirsty, that's all...
I tried with a bowl of water, but they are not interested as well...
I spray water on vegs and grass and they don't eat dried food (pellets)
(I also don't remember the last time I drank a glass of water and I also eat huge amount of vegs and fruit and I don't eat dried food)

 

[Reenie]

My two piggies who are now almost 7 months old never drank a single drop of water in all their life... they drink only 2-3 syringes of water but only because I add some drops of cranberry which they love...
Anyway they are well hydrated, make a lot of wee and take their water from the grass and the vegs. I consulted two expert vets and they say it is okay and that I should not worry.
One of my piggie is definitely not interested in the bottle, the other one knows how the bottle works because if I put on her mouth the bottle with cranberry inside, she starts drinkong a little bit; but after some drops she turns around. They are not thirsty, that's all...
I tried with a bowl of water, but they are not interested as well...
I spray water on vegs and grass and they don't eat dried food (pellets)
(I also don't remember the last time I drank a glass of water and I also eat huge amount of vegs and fruit and I don't eat dried food)

Thank you for this. I'll stop worrying x