Grieving pig's drinking habits changed

[DarwinTesla]

Darwin lost her sister last week. As is probably normal, she's been quieter than usual and seems out of sorts. She hides away a lot and when she is out she often tends to not really know what to do with herself, and wanders aimlessly a bit before hiding away again.

I think she's eating okay, her poops are looking pretty normal but her drinking habits are worrying me. They've always had a bottle or two in their cage and they always used to spend a few minutes at a time drinking from the mounted bottles but since Tesla died, Darwin only ever takes a few sips from the mounted bottle at a time. However, if I take the bottle down and offer it to her by hand she'll happily sit and drink for ages so presumably she is thirsty.

She does seem okay health wise at the moment, but it's starting to worry me since. I've taken time off to look after her since she's been on her own but I'm back to work tomorrow and so she's going to be on her own for 8 hours or so a day (not to mention nights) and I think if she won't drink from the mounted bottle when she needs to she's going to get ill.

Has anyone seen this before?

 

[first_time_piggie_mum]

aw thats really sad, bless her wandering around looking for Tesla

Dont know what to suggest really. You dont want to up her vegges in case that discourages her more from drinking :{

Difficult one, I'm sure someone on here can offer you some advice.

Whenever I had to leave Rod on his own I left a radio on in the background for him and he had a Teddy to cuddle up to.

 

[Wiebke]

Eating and drinking can change with a bereaved piggy. Leave her with some juicy veg like cucumber or celery. She won't dehydrate that quickly. Perhaps you can move her water bottle closer to her hidey?

Have you thought about giving her a cuddly toy to snuggle up to?

 

[DarwinTesla]

I've been leaving the cartoons on for her so she doesn't get that kind of scary silence that bothers them and we're hopefully going to be getting her a friend soon but a teddy's a nice idea, I'll try & pick one up tomorrow. She's been having veg (cucumber & pepper) but on both your advice I think I'll stick to only providing watery veg when we leave to tide her over, and hopefully that'll encourage her to use her bottle while we are there.

Thanks very much for your help, it's much appreciated.

 

[PiggyLove]

my girlies are the same.......when Piggy was alive they all drank water happily but since Piggy has passed on to Rainbow Bridge my girlies dont drink (or I dont see them drink )

I dont know what the solution is long term.

At first I thought maybe its the tap water they dont like then maybe they dont like plastic bottles - its very difficult I fully understand what you are feeling

I'm going to try a glass drinking bottle which I was advised on
http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/accessories/feeder_water_bottles/water_bottles/219338