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Eating but not drinking during grief 😞

Claire W

Claire W

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Esme is eating her veg, pellets and hay but hasn’t touched her water bottle since we moved her downstairs in the smaller cage last Tuesday. I’m really worried that she’s not getting enough fluids 😞 Will she drink if she’s thirsty? She’s still grieving badly for Elizabeth 😞
 
I’m sorry to hear she is sad.
The need to drink comes before the need to eat so please don’t worry - as she is eating she will be getting the fluid she needs and will drink from the bottle as she wants to
Plus if she is still peeing then she is getting enough fluid.
 
The need to drink is more immediate than the need to eat. A healthy piggy that is eating normally will also automatically cover their need to drink.

Esme is not dehydrated; it is just that Elizabeth was obviously the bigger drinker and Esme is getting more of her fluid needs covered by your veg. She will drink from the bottle whenever she is feeling really thirsty; right now she simply isn't.

All About Drinking And Bottles
 
Piggies&buns said:
I’m sorry to hear she is sad.
The need to drink comes before the need to eat so please don’t worry - as she is eating she will be getting the fluid she needs and will drink from the bottle as she wants to
Plus if she is still peeing then she is getting enough fluid.
Click to expand...

Wiebke said:
The need to drink is more immediate than the need to eat. A healthy piggy that is eating normally will also automatically cover their need to drink.

Esme is not dehydrated; it is just that Elizabeth was obviously the bigger drinker and Esme is getting more of her fluid needs covered by your veg. She will drink from the bottle whenever she is feeling really thirsty; right now she simply isn't.

All About Drinking And Bottles
Click to expand...

Thank you both. That’s put my mind at ease a bit. It’s horrible seeing her so sad x
 
Bill & Ted said:
I would wet all her veggies. I have two that rarely drink at all and two completely obsessed with the water bottle, both pairs are healthy
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Thank you, I guess she may always have not been a big drinker but I’m only noticing now. She’s already having cucumber and pepper but I’ll give her little gem a rinse to make that wetter too? x
 
When Dignified Sir George was very young I didn't see (or hear) him drink for several days, since then I always keep the veggies wet after I rinse them (advice from this forum) and I actually think they prefer them wet.
 
fluffysal said:
When Dignified Sir George was very young I didn't see (or hear) him drink for several days, since then I always keep the veggies wet after I rinse them (advice from this forum) and I actually think they prefer them wet.
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Thank you. I’m going to start wetting her lettuce x
 
@Claire W some piggies won't drink from their water bottle and get enough water from their veg.My 8 year old sow poppy who had surgery for a bladder stone in early November doesn't drink from the water bottle.I think I've seen her drink twice in the 6 years I've had her and seems to get enough liquid from her veg.I do try to give her more cucumber so I know she's getting enough x
 
Last edited:
Gem789 said:
@Claire W some piggies won't drink from their water bottle and get enough water from their veg.My 8 year old sow poppy who had surgery for a bladder stone in early November doesn't drink from the water bottle.I think I've seen her drink twice in the 6 years I've had her and seems to get enough liquid from her veg.I do try to give her more cucumber so I know she's getting enough x
Click to expand...

Thank you for the reassurance. She does eat quite a lot of cucumber x
 
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