Putting hay in water

ExLibris81

ExLibris81

New Born Pup
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A vet mentioned that it’s not a bad idea to put some fresh hay in water to get a piggy to drink more in hot weather, with the proviso that it should be changed regularly. Not tried it yet. What do you think?
 
Guinea pigs don’t sweat, so they do not loose any more liquid in hot weather than in cool weather so shouldn’t need to increase their water intake too much to avoid dehydration. The main thing in this weather is to keep them cool. Ice pods and frozen water bottle in a sock are great. Refreshing their water bottles with cold water regularly and provideing the normal veg should keep them perfectly hydrated
 
Thank you! Understood - my query to the vet was more about encouraging drinking in general due to calcium deposits in the urine of one piggy, despite calcium levels in diet being managed.

I’m interested to know whether anyone else has tried the hay-in-water method.
 
I'd personally be concerned about them inhaling water while trying to grab bits of food, when drinking they'll only stick their lips in, but if they're reaching for food that has bobbed under the water they may well stick their nostrils in as well. I was advised to wash Brambles hay when she was quite bad with her allergies but I was told to dry it quickly as wet hay goes mouldy pretty quickly, but I'm not sure if that would still be the case if it was actually sat in water.
I find the best way to get them to drink more is just putting lots of hay all over the floor, eating hay makes them thirsty as it's dry, Increased thirst will lead to more water intake, otherwise they'll just not bother drinking from the bottles if they're getting extra water on the hay without actually increasing their need for water.
 
Eriathwen said:
I'd personally be concerned about them inhaling water while trying to grab bits of food, when drinking they'll only stick their lips in, but if they're reaching for food that has bobbed under the water they may well stick their nostrils in as well. I was advised to wash Brambles hay when she was quite bad with her allergies but I was told to dry it quickly as wet hay goes mouldy pretty quickly, but I'm not sure if that would still be the case if it was actually sat in water.
I find the best way to get them to drink more is just putting lots of hay all over the floor, eating hay makes them thirsty as it's dry, Increased thirst will lead to more water intake, otherwise they'll just not bother drinking from the bottles if they're getting extra water on the hay without actually increasing their need for water.
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:agr: Just make sure they have access to water in drinking bottles. I always have 2 in a hutch - in case one fails .

If you really feel they need something extra - a few slices of cucumber will do the trick .

but be careful not to overfeed ...
The temptation to overfeed watery veg and fruit in hot weather!

This is a useful thread re: hot weather management

Hot Weather Management And Heat Strokes
 
if your guinea pig needs more water, then bell pepper and cucumber would be good options. also if you are giving fresh veggies everyday, then you guinea pig might not drink as much water do to the high water content in the veggies. also if they get water in their nose it can be very bad for them.
 
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