Piggies Not Drinking

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Cocoa&Butter

Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Points
0
I got 2 new guinea pigs yesterday. They are both female and 8 months old. If I go near them they will stiffen and sometimes try to run away which I think is normal because they have to get used to me and they are eating well but are not drinking. Is this normal or a problem? Help?
 
Dont worry about the drinking too much, piggies get alot of water from their veggies, but to be on the safe side, when washing the veggies leave them fairly wet so that they get the extra water.

You may need to show them the water bottle, offer leafy treats right next to the spout so they get to know where it is.
 
I have put a water bottle in the cage and they have even put their nose around it so they have seen for sure but they are not drinking. Thanks for the tip about the veggies though but what kind of veggies do you think?
 
Cucumber is always a good one as is lettuce (though avoid iceburg) grass, but even things you wouldn't necessaily assume are wet will be fine, especially if you are leaving them wet anyway. I somtimes run the bowl of veggies under the tap very quickly to get extra water on them. x
 
This happened to me, its because they might be used to a different bottle as when I changed my piggie's water bottle, he couldn't drink for 5 days and I didn't know mallethead, If that's the case, put a bowl (yes I said a bowl of water next to the bottle incasethey just haven't gotten used to the proccess of drinking from that bottle! :) If they still don't drink, feed them some more wet veggies like cucumber, lettuce etc.

hope i helped :):x
 
It is a very normal problem with new and young guinea pigs. if they eat some fresh veg, they won't dehydrate. Offer water additionally in a bowl under the bottle, even if you have to change it more than once. Most piggies will get the hand of the bottle eventually.

here are more tips on how to settle in new guinea pigs: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36239
 
hi, yes i agree when you give them there veggies just leave them wet that way they will take in water,but it could be that they are comming out to drink when no ones around or when your asleep,mostly piggys wont come out to explore straight away when they are in a new inviroment,they could stay there for a few hrs to days to a week sometimes longer depending!it depend on them when they relax and get use to things that they will venture out and explore,
they will be able to smell the water so will know where it is,but if your really worried then as well as doing the veg thing you could put a dish of food and water near to where they are,
I'm sure in a few days they will be out exploring there new home,
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top