Two questions regarding water bottles and heatpads

Status
Not open for further replies.
PiggyLoon

PiggyLoon

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
May 16, 2007
Messages
1,441
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Herefordshire
Ok my first question.... water bottles
My girlies have one of those toblerone shaped runs (thyme walk - by Pets@home). How do you manage to give piggies a suppy of water? I've tried the normal bottle tied to the mesh slope - but the nozzle ends up at a funny angle - which is hard for them to get hold of. So I give them a small ceremic bowl full of water for them to lap up - but me thinks they dont have much of it. Ruby espcially need her drink because of her bladder problems, so I'm concerned she isnt getting enough water when she's outside. :-\

Secondly... heat pads
How do you get your piggies to use their heat pad? Mine dont want to lie by it or on it. They just stand on it occasionally then completely ignore it ::) how do you teach them that its something nice and cosy to lie on? How do you make them understand what it is! Maybe its just they dont need to be any warmer ...dunno :-\

Thanks - Helen & pigs
 
You could hang a bottle from the top ?

And there is absolutely no need for a heatpad, they can't sweat like us so don't want to get too hot :-\
 
Give them time re. the heat pad Helen. I found that by wrapping mine in towels (even though they already have covers on them) and then snuggling them into the hay in a corner of the hutch/cage curiosity eventually gets the better of the piggies and they go to investigate. Once my lot found out that the heat pad was warm they were queuing up to lie next/on it!

Zoe I'm afraid I don't agree with you on the heatpad front. The snuggle safes don't get boiling, they just give off a gentle warmth and for pigs that are outside/in a shed they are just enough to keep the temperature more comfortable.

I think you just need to persevere Helen, once they poop all over the heat pad you know you've won! ;D
 
I disagree with Zoe. If your piggies are outside and its frosty at night, heatpads are good!

I wouldnt worry too much if your pigs dont lie directly on it. As long as its there for them to sleep near if they get cold, they should be fine.
 
thanks for the replies... O0


Zoe said:
You could hang a bottle from the top ?

And there is absolutely no need for a heatpad, they can't sweat like us so don't want to get too hot :-\
Click to expand...
in regards to the heatpad... I put a heatpad outside in their run (with lots of hay) on slightly chillier days... as their run is under a carport in the back garden. I dont use it when they are inside or else - as you said Zoe - they would get way too hot. They are indoor piggies - but I like to give them a bit of time outside for a bit of fresh air - as well as giving them some playtime inside.

...and some piggies need heat pads after operations, well I was advised to get one just in case - when my piggy had an op. So I think sometimes there is a need for one - maybe wrong tho. :-\

They sniff it, hop onto it - then off, and thats it!

Caviesgalore said:
I think you just need to persevere Helen, once they poop all over the heat pad you know you've won! ;D
Click to expand...

Hehe - they do that already! ;D Maybe because they are spoilt they find it too hard and want something more luxurious! ::) ;D

Any ideas for the bottles?
 
I have found the same problem with my C&C cage and water bottles, in our case the spout doesn't poke far enough into the cage! I found that by putting the bottle on the inside of the cage and attaching it to the C&C grids with the wire (again on the inside with the little hooks facing out) worked better, to stop it slipping through the wire holder I also got some florists wire and twizzled/twisted this round the spout, away from piggy mouths, and then attached this to the square grids. Hope that all makes sense! Means it's a bit of a pain having to "untwizzle" the wire each day, but the piggies found it much easier to get to the water bottle. I have never had success with bowls of water, the little darlings just poop and slop it everywhere! ;D ;D
 
ok it sounded like you were using in their cage, which we all know isn't necessary indoors ;)


Personally i don't think they need it when in the run either, but i guess if they're indoor pigs they might feel the cold more.

My pigs live outside - well in a shed, and have never had heat pads.
 
with the triangular shaped runs with the slopey sides - if the bottles are wired on the mesh they tend to slope inwards too - meaning the spout is almost vertical! :-\

and then as you say Sandra ...you've got the problem then of it slip sliding all over the place! ::)

with the bowls - even if they are ceramic - they get knocked over when they have a mad turn of excitement! ;D as well as finding little 'floaters'! ;D

Zoe said:
ok it sounded like you were using in their cage, which we all know isn't necessary indoors ;)

Personally i don't think they need it when in the run either, but i guess if they're indoor pigs they might feel the cold more.
Click to expand...

I just like them to have one so the temperature change isnt such a shock to them ;)
 
Does your run have a shelter - because mine does , if you drill 3 holes in a triangle shape in the wood you can poke your wires and nozzle through. Should work.

For the heatpad maybe place under hay? My girlies love lying in hay!

Good luck!
 
spice and honeys mummy said:
Does your run have a shelter - because mine does , if you drill 3 holes in a triangle shape in the wood you can poke your wires and nozzle through. Should work.
For the heatpad maybe place under hay? My girlies love lying in hay!
Good luck!
Click to expand...

Ah... right! Have you done this on your run? In the sheltered bit - I have a wooden house which I bought separately - which I put in that bit. So the bottle would probably have to go the other end. Mind you - my girlies are so lazy they probably just stay in the sheltered bit and not bother with the drink! Bit too far away! ::) oooh they are a trial! ::) ;D

Good idea about hiding the pad under the hay.... dont they wee all on it though as if it wasnt there? I've only got the one cover :-\ D'you think the heat would still come through?

Thanks for the ideas! O0 will keep them in mind!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top