Water Method Change

[jfpj91]

My guinea pigs have always used a bottle, but I've become tired of constantly having to change the bedding below their 'leak proof' bottles and have decided (after 3 years) to switch to a water bowl. It's a large bowl that they will not tip over. I know I need to monitor the water for any bedding, waste, etc, and change it frequently, but how can I be sure my pigs know how to drink from the bowl? That may seem like a dumb question, because I would imagine most animals know how to smell water and how to drink it from a bowl, but these pigs have only known a water bottle their whole lives and I want to make sure none of them dehydrate. I have a couple of pigs that don't like to be out (I have my suspicions that they have some Cuy genes) so it's not likely I can put them by it and teach them somehow. They'll just run off. Do I just need to monitor them for signs of lethargy, dehydration, etc, or will instinct take over guaranteed?

 

[Siikibam]

They will generally drink as much as they need. Remember they get water from their veg as well. I don’t know how they learn to drink from a bowl, I guess they just ‘do’. Could you try another bottle? Or even put the bowl below the bottle so the water drips into there? Or make some pee pads to use under the bottle that you can change out as needed?

 

[VickiA]

I’m not sure that I would switch to a bowl. You end up having to change the water many times each day and have no way of monitoring water intake.
Could you perhaps just put an absorbent pad under the site of their water bottle(s) or a dish like a drip tray?

 

[Guineapigfeet]

I use both now but when I switched from a bottle to a bowl I just did it and they just seems to know how to use it. They much prefer the bowl; I hardly ever see them drinking from the bottle now. The bowl does make a bit of a mess and I change it twice a day, unless it’s dirty, then more often but my messy pig died and the others keep it much cleaner! I do get over-spill so the bedding gets as wet around the bowl as it does under the bottle really! My bottles also leak so I can’t really tell how much they’re actually drinking, but they have both options with fresh water and veg so I trust they’re getting enough.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I'd try a different type of bottle. Ive never had any problems with leaking. Its important to make sure a bottle is filled right up to the very top.

They dont forget how to lap at water from a bowl though. My piggies drink from a bottle and won't touch water in a bowl. But my rabbits much prefer bowls and dont use their bottles. For one of my rabbits this is a sudden change - he has used a bottle and ignored the bowl for 7 of his 8 years alive! Now suddenly, he won't entertain the idea of using a bottle at all!

 

[jfpj91]

I appreciate all the information from everyone. I had thought about putting the bowl below the bottle, but they mpve the bottle across from side to side (it's a custom cage so there is no hook). It does seem like the water level is dropping steadily and a lot faster than evaporation alone, so I think it'll work out. Also, I know some people mentioned the bowls can be messy, but there are no spills. It may help that the bowl I bought is large and has lip where the pigs like to perch their front paws. It's the same bowl I've always used for their food just larger, so there is some degree of familiarity I reckon.