Water is essential for guinea pigs’ health. But how do guinea pigs drink water?
Guinea pigs drink water from a bowl or a water container. They use their tongue to lick water from the water bowls just like dogs.
Besides that, special sippy bottles are also available in the market for your pets to sip water.
Wondering why water is important for guinea pigs? Let’s look at the different benefits of water.
Table of Contents
4 Benefits of Water On Guinea Pigs
Keeps Weight In Check
Water helps guinea pigs in maintaining their weight by improving their digestion and metabolism.
Helps in Easy Bowel Movement
Lack of water can lead to constipation, stomach infections, and blockages in guinea pigs. As a result, water can help them with easy waste removal.
Promotes Hydration
Water is good for keeping your pet hydrated and energetic. Lack of water or dehydration can make them weak and sick.
Prevents Bladder Stones
Giving water to guinea pigs also helps in preventing bladder stones. It is one of the common issues that guinea pigs face.
Hence, it is important to take the required precautions.
How Often Should You Give Your Guinea Pigs Water?
On average, guinea pigs need 3.5 ounces or 100 ml of water every day.
You can find them drinking more or less water at different times depending on their needs.
The water requirement of cavies also differs based on their body weight, and their eating habits.
Your pet might not drink much water if his water requirements are met from his food intake.
Note: Never add sugar or salt to your pet’s water. Also, avoid any drinks with sugar and additives.
3 Ways For Guinea Pigs To Drink water
There are different ways in which cavies can drink water.
Way 1: Bowl
Guinea pigs can also drink water from water bowls.
You need to take a bowl, fill it with water and keep it in your pet’s cage.
Materials
Plastic, Steel, or Glass.
Pros
- Not expensive.
- The easiest way for guinea pigs to drink water.
Cons
- Water might get spilt.
- It can also get dirty because of litter-dust and hay.
Way 2: Through Drink Bottles
Many guinea pig owners use drink bottles to give water to their pets.
The drink bottle has a pipe (fixed into the cage) with a small ball inside it to prevent leakage. Your pet will need to hit the ball repeatedly to take small sips of water.
Materials
Traditional drink bottles are made of glass with a stainless steel pipe.
Pros
- Your pet gets fresh water.
- No spillage of water inside the cage.
- Glass bottles are eco-friendly and BPA-free.
Cons
- It can be discomforting for your pet as he has to lift his neck often to drink water.
- Your pet only gets one sip at a time.
Way 3: Through Sippy Bottles
Another way in which guinea pigs can drink water is through sippy bottles. Sippy bottles make it easier for your pets to drink water.
Materials
Sippy bottles are made of plastic.
Pros
- Not much effort is needed to drink water. Your pet just has to remove a small gib to drink water.
- Continuous flow of water, unlike the drink bottles.
Cons
- Your pet might end up drinking more water than required.
- Plastic bottles may not be durable and BPA-free.
How to Give Your Guinea Pigs Water Without a Bottle?
As discussed above, you can use a bowl or any other container instead of a bottle.
Below are the 3 easy steps in which you can use a bowl to meet your pet’s water requirement.
Step 1: Arrange a water bowl
Firstly, you need to buy a water bowl for your guinea pig’s cage.
You can select the size of the bowl depending on how big the cage is.
Step 2: Fill the Bowl
After that, you need to fill the bowl with clean water.
You can also add vitamin C supplements to the water for energy.
Step 3: Change water Frequently
Make sure to change the bowl’s water frequently for better hygiene.
Can Guinea Pigs Drink Water Out of a Bowl?
As mentioned earlier, guinea pigs can drink water from a bowl.
It is easier for your cavy to drink water from a bowl compared to a water bottle.
Moreover, water bowls are more convenient, affordable, and handy than water bottles. However, the water in the bowl can get dirty easily.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we have learned that guinea pigs can either drink water from bowls or water bottles.
They use their tongue to lick water when drinking it from the bowls.
In addition, they can also sip water when using water bottles.
Besides, we have also discussed how important water is for your pet’s health.
Lastly, don’t forget to give them 3.5 ounces of freshwater every day, and to share this article!
