sh2pid
New Born Pup
Which is better?
Water bottles or bowls?
- Thread starter sh2pid
- Start date
Viennese Furbabies
Forum Buddy
I think it depends on your piggies and your cage situation.
I used to try out both, but mine always seemed to prefer the bottle and do lot's of interesting stuff with bowls.
In bottles you can be sure there is water available when the piggies want to trink, if the bottles don't leak. Cleaning is more difficult than with bowls.
With bowls you have to check more often if there is still water available, especially if you use conventional bedding.
Bottles can encourage the behaviour of frequent 'drinking' and rattling just for the fun of it.
In Austria and Germany there has been an ongoing discussion for years which is better, claiming bowls are more natural. There was a study conducted on rabbits some years back that stated rabbits prefer bowls. And it is often assumed this goes for piggies as well. But wild guinea pigs don't trink that much and there are observations of them licking dew drops from leafs.
If you are unsure, I would try out both, see what your piggies prefer and what suits your situation best. It also depends a bit on what your piggies are used to.
I used to try out both, but mine always seemed to prefer the bottle and do lot's of interesting stuff with bowls.
In bottles you can be sure there is water available when the piggies want to trink, if the bottles don't leak. Cleaning is more difficult than with bowls.
With bowls you have to check more often if there is still water available, especially if you use conventional bedding.
Bottles can encourage the behaviour of frequent 'drinking' and rattling just for the fun of it.
In Austria and Germany there has been an ongoing discussion for years which is better, claiming bowls are more natural. There was a study conducted on rabbits some years back that stated rabbits prefer bowls. And it is often assumed this goes for piggies as well. But wild guinea pigs don't trink that much and there are observations of them licking dew drops from leafs.
If you are unsure, I would try out both, see what your piggies prefer and what suits your situation best. It also depends a bit on what your piggies are used to.
I agree - it’s about finding what works for your piggies.
My piggies use bottles and won’t touch bowls
All my rabbits have both but they choose to drink from the bowl. I still make sure they have bottles available though. The bowls do need checking more often and I do tend to find hay in them!
My piggies use bottles and won’t touch bowls
All my rabbits have both but they choose to drink from the bowl. I still make sure they have bottles available though. The bowls do need checking more often and I do tend to find hay in them!
My Piggies
Adult Guinea Pig
I personally use bottles as piggies tend to be messy and poo in their water bowl. If you're prepared to clean the bowl out very often, then that's not a problem. I hope you enjoy your soon-to-be piggies, how exciting! 
sh2pid
New Born Pup
You all are too nice! Thank you all so much! 
Engel
Adult Guinea Pig
All my piggies have both bottles and bowls. They seem to prefer bowls.
Try both and see how they go.
Try both and see how they go.
S and G
Junior Guinea Pig
My two couldn't go 2 minutes without putting a poop or two in fresh water bowls, so I went to bottle only. Also found as I've not got the largest enclosure the bowl took up a far bit of space.
D
Deleted member 147427
I personally use a good water bottle
Claire W
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I use a water bottle. I found that water bowls just get too messy with bedding and poo but it's down to personal preference.
well i have an opinion on this ..... at 3am when I have moved onto the sofa due to tossing and turning in bed due to pain in my leg - i would say a bowl cos my piggy Daisy must hear me and decide now is a good time to drink from the bottle for approx an HOUR or 3......... the noise is SOOOO loud when its in the middle of the night lol!
I use have 2 bottles in the cage at all times.. sometimes i add a bowl in for a change but never remove the bottles...
I use have 2 bottles in the cage at all times.. sometimes i add a bowl in for a change but never remove the bottles...
Engel
Adult Guinea Pig
I must sleep like the dead then cause the pigs are in my room and they all have bottles. You'll eventually get used to the water bottle lullaby
Gradie and the pigs
Junior Guinea Pig
I do use bowls I just clean them out every day super easy too I like the to use the heavy ceramic ones for them plus as my piggies stay in my room I think the bottles would be too noisy they already are two rowdy teenage boys 
at night
at nightsh2pid
New Born Pup
I'm gonna get either a medium or a large water bottle for my 2 piggies today!
S and G
Junior Guinea Pig
I use 2 bottles. Just incase one stops working properly. Plus they can drink simultaneously, avoiding one hogging it.
Make sure you get two of every item - two bottles, at least two hides (ensure all hides have two doors), two bowls (if you choose to use them) - as not all piggies want to share and not having enough resources in a cage can lead to fall outs
D
Deleted member 147427
Make sure you get two of every item - two bottles, at least two hides (ensure all hides have two doors), two bowls (if you choose to use them) - as not all piggies want to share and not having enough resources in a cage can lead to fall outs
Piggie and buns I have the large igloo house for the two of them is that ok
My Piggies
Adult Guinea Pig
It would be better if they had two separate houses so they can get away from each other if they want.
Claire W
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They will be better off with an igloo house each or any other hide. Even a cardboard box with two entrances cut in to it will do
D
Deleted member 147427
It’s the large igloo house I have for the two of them
My Piggies
Adult Guinea Pig
Even if it's large, they need their own space as most piggies don't like to cuddle next to each other.
D
Deleted member 147427
I think my piggies quite like cuddling into each other
My Piggies
Adult Guinea Pig
That may be so, but it's always best for them to have their own space. As @Claire W said, you could even use a cardboard box.
D
Deleted member 147427
There cage is the minimum size for 2 sows not sure if it would have enough space If I was to put two hides in it .
As previously mentioned, your cage is less than minimum size, so you are going to struggle to fit in the necessary equipment (hides) as well as other forms of enrichment.
They may like to cuddle and share now, but it may not always be like that, once they hit their teens things can really change and this is why we also advised you that a bigger cage is best to prevent fall outs. You really need to have two of every item and as also mentioned on a previous thread, ideally all hides need two exits to stop the risk of fights occurring if a piggy traps the other inside it.
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D
Deleted member 147427
I took the sleeping compartment out of there cage and put in one of the igloos instead
PoptartShop
Junior Guinea Pig
I think it definitely depends. I've always used bottles with no issues. IMO I think it's easier & less messy.
Animallover2245
Junior Guinea Pig
When you got them did they have a bowl or bottle for water? If so I would stick to the same thing they had then,
I use a water bottle as they already knew how to use it as they had a bottle In the pet store where I got them from, I use 2 bottles so they don’t fight over it. So whatever you choose if you have at least 2 Guinea pigs use Multiple bottles or bowls.
I use a water bottle as they already knew how to use it as they had a bottle In the pet store where I got them from, I use 2 bottles so they don’t fight over it. So whatever you choose if you have at least 2 Guinea pigs use Multiple bottles or bowls.