Water Intake?

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lindsecm

lindsecm

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I have had Pola for 2 weeks today. In the entire time she has not used her water bottle once, as I monitor the level of the bottle.

I understand that she is getting liquid from her veggies but it kind of worries me that she may not know how to use her bottle, and if that is the case I have no idea how to teach her.

I guess I need to know if I should be concerned?
 
My boys never use their bottle, it's quite scary. They seem to be fine though. If she doesn't drink for two weeks, you should try to teach her how to use the bottle, and if she just won't maybe take her to the vets?
 
My girls rarely touch their bottle either. I change the water every day just in case they fancy it but they're really not bothered unless the weather is really hot.

They do go out in their run most days so have plenty of access to fresh grass as well as their daily fruit and veg which is where I think they get all their moisture from. They are all fit and healthy so I'm not too worried about it.
 
Yeah, she seems fine too. She does urinate regularly.

Any tips on how to teach her to use the bottle?
 
I wouldn't worry too much about it. As long as she is getting water from veggies she should be fine. It took one of my boys about a year before he even touched the water bottle.

All I did was touch the water bottle to make it make the sound it does when a piggy is using it. Then they were straight over to have a look. Perhaps try rubbing a piece of her favourite veggie on the end of the spout to see if that would attract her attention and give her an idea?
 
Thanks! I will try rubbing a carrot on the end of the bottle! She is a shy one, so tapping probably wouldn't work.

I feel a little more comfortable now about her not using the bottle. :(|) Thanks!
 
i think you could just detach the water bottle and put it near her when shes not sleeping because when gilberts not paying any attention to the bottle i put it next to him and he just starts drinking away and if i keep doing that he'll keep drinking over and over again xD
 
My piggie at first didnt know how to use the water bottle, so I gave him water for a couple of months in a small dish. He would drink out of that, but watch out because he would make a big mess. After a while I tried the water bottle again, he slowly began to drink and now I find myself refiling the water bottle like twice a week! Silly piggies. :)) But I think what you can do if your still at all worried, is try and feed him with a syringe (sp?) just to try and show your piggie that thats the way it should come out from the water bottle aswell. But I'm glad your gp is still getting liquid from anything. :p
 
I am gonna try a few of these tomorrow....she is kinda peeved at me at the moment cause I just gave her treatment for lice :))

I have thought about a little water dish, and considered the fact that it can get messy, but if it will get her to drink some water I will be glad to try it!
 
lindsecm said:
I am gonna try a few of these tomorrow....she is kinda peeved at me at the moment cause I just gave her treatment for lice :))

I have thought about a little water dish, and considered the fact that it can get messy, but if it will get her to drink some water I will be glad to try it!
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Glad to hear your still going to try out the water dish. ^_^ If it helps, try placeing a small towel or something to help contain the fluid so it doesnt spread in their home. :)
 
my pigs use a bowl because for some reason they don't drink from a water bottle, they just chew it! the sound was driving me mad and i couldn't for the life of me persuade them to drink from it, so i got a bowl and they were fine =]
 
I am trying it with what I normally use for her veggie dish seeing as I can't find anything in my house small enough that she can easily get to it.

I filled it to a line in the dish so I can monitor her intake. and I took your advice and put a washcloth under it so she wouldn't make a huge mess!

Thanks! Update later :))
 
lindsecm said:
I am trying it with what I normally use for her veggie dish seeing as I can't find anything in my house small enough that she can easily get to it.

I filled it to a line in the dish so I can monitor her intake. and I took your advice and put a washcloth under it so she wouldn't make a huge mess!

Thanks! Update later :))
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Glad to help. ^_^
 
I tried the water dish last night, Checked in this morning.

Looks like she may have taken a few laps out of the bowl (but still not much!), a tiny piece of hay or her bedding was in the water so she at least checked it out.
 
Leave it there for a few days, (with fresh water ofcourse), Odie didnt touch his that soon either. Shes probably just wondering what the dish has in it now lol.
 
alright! I'll keep changing and checking on her!


I really appreciate all of your help! ;)
 
Today's update..... :))


she drank a little more today than she did yesterday so I hope she's coming around and I can at least stop worrying about her so much :)) ah the joys of being a Piggy Mommy :p
 
lindsecm said:
Today's update..... :))


she drank a little more today than she did yesterday so I hope she's coming around and I can at least stop worrying about her so much :)) ah the joys of being a Piggy Mommy :p
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Thats nice to hear. :) Told you she just needed some time. ;) :p
After a few weeks you can then try and switch her off again, and see if she'll drink from the bottles. ^_^
 
thanx all this info is great get my 2 babys next week so comes in handy if they wont use there bottle
 
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gp lover said:
Thats nice to hear. :) Told you she just needed some time. ;) :p
After a few weeks you can then try and switch her off again, and see if she'll drink from the bottles. ^_^
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I am so happy to report that the water in the dish was almost completely gone this morning after I changed it last night before bed! :(|) and I did check to see if she spilled most of it but everything was dry! :))

xx>>>
 
lindsecm said:
I am so happy to report that the water in the dish was almost completely gone this morning after I changed it last night before bed! :(|) and I did check to see if she spilled most of it but everything was dry! :))

xx>>>
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I'm so excited to hear that! :)) Keep up the good work! :) And dont forget to give here a good pat! :p
 
I can't give her a pat :)) the little stinker hides in her hut and stares at me, but I did tell her I was proud of her! :(|) :p
 
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