supplement in water...?

[biscandmatt]

what supplements do people put in their piggies water? i got told they must have a vitamin c supplement aswell as their veggies etc.

thanks.

 

[helenllama]

supplements are unneccessary, most dried piggy food already contains vitamin C

Supplements can also put a piggy of their water...

 

[biscandmatt]

ok, thanks. the dry food and some of the veg contains vit c so thought that would be ok but thought i'd double check!

 

[pompypigs]

That's so strange that you should post this - I've been giving my piggies vit C supplements in their water since I got them but after reading advice from Laura (CCC4) that they were no use, I stopped putting it in. My piggies have never stopped drinking the fresh water since & i've had to get more bottles today because they're going through loads. They drink it like it's some special creation - lol!

 

[alcesterpigs]

Some vets advise putting drugs for sick pigs into the water bottle.
They never seem to wonder how the pig knows how much water to drink to get the correct dosage!
Fresh water, and only water, daily.

 

[biscandmatt]

ok, thanks everyone. do guine pigs drink alot of water then? or does it vary? is it best to give a bottle or bowl, or offer both?

my buns have had bottles since i got them and then the other month when matt had a ga, i offered them water in a bowl as it was easier for matt to get to, and since then they won't touch the bottles! i gave them bottles and bowls but now have taken the bottles away because they don't touch them.

they drink loads more water from the bowls, and matts new game is tipping the bowl over so i have to change the blankets all the time! x)

 

[gp lover]

Hmm, I remember reading that putting Vit C in their water was bad... It had to do with something about them not drinking water and them getting dehydrated (sp) because of that. They need alot of fresh water, dont include the solution. I just had to buy my boys another water bottle! (I live where the weather is always hot so they drink alot!)

 

[rw3399]

Some piggies drink more than others. It's up to you how you give them their water but I personally think a water bottle is easier for keeping the living area cleaner. As you said they keep tipping it over As has been said before nothing needs to be added to the drinking water as this can put them off drinking from the bottle/bowl because they dislike the taste. The only time I gave an extra supplement was chewable vitamin c, half a tablet daily for about a week, was when one of my piggies was ill.

 

[PinnyGig]

when I first got my piggies, I put the vit C drops in the water, but then soon stopped because they eat plently of fresh veg. I noticed they drank a lot more water after I stopped adding the vit C stuff so they obviously weren't impressed! I say as long as theyre having plenty of fresh veg and a good mix of dry food, plain h2o is fine! mine have britta filtered...just kidding:x

 

[Laura-CCC4]

As said, supplemements are not needed. The only time they could be used it if the pig is sick - in which case the pig need supplements syringed directly into him. The *only* way to get the correct dose of anything is to syringe it or place it in the pigs mouth. Letting the pig access it at his leisure isn't appropriate when the supplement (or medication) is necessary for his health.

Bottles are far more hygienic than bowls, though I have heard of a small handful who do only drink from bowls. Fresh water should be given at least once a day - if not twice. Bottles also need scrubbing, and the spouts scrubbing inside, at least once a week to keep them properly clean and hygienic.

 

[biscandmatt]

ok, thanks everyone.