Suddenly Drinking

[RachelE]

My boar Boris, who lived on his own with me for several months, never drank water either from a bottle or a bowl - he was obviously getting enough from the veg and grass he was getting. However, having adopted the lovely Mimi about a month ago, who is a bottle drinker, I find Boris has started drinking as well! Not much, but I see him from time to time having a go.
Is this usual behaviour? Is there any worry about him taking in too much, as I'm feeding them plenty of greenery?
Sadly, she's also 'taught' him not to use his litter tray and to just pee and poop anywhere...

 

[Wiebke]

Boris has obviously learned how to use the bottle from Mimi. Drinking is a skill that babies/youngsters learn from the older guinea pigs in their social group; they are often separated and sold before they have had time to learn.

You can safely reduce the amount of veg to the ca. 50g/1 cupful we are recommending for optimal digestion. Boris will not over-water himself, don't be afraid about that!