Water: How much water should they drink?

[2pigs2kids]

I've had my piggies for a few days now and I notice that the water level in their bottle really doesn't change much (I put new water in every day). It's the same bottle they were using at their previous home so it's not that they don't know how to use it. Should I be concerned with this or will they just drink when they're thirsty enough? Thanks!

[Ly&Pigs]

Some pigs only drink a little while others drink a lot. It depends on the pigs. If you are feeding veggies, they could be getting most of their water they need from the veggies.

[azalea]

The cavies I re-homed had been getting city water and pet store hay and pellets, limited vegies. We have well water but I used bottled water and they didn't seem to mind the change. Your tap water may not taste quite the same as they had before. The next town over may have well water or be using treated surface water, there can be a big taste difference.

B and P would drain 4 - 6 fluid oz of water every day between the 2 of them. Then it was more like 3 - 4 oz in 24 hrs. Then - next to no water going out the bottle but I was still cleaning up plenty of *twinkle* from their habitation.

What I had failed to notice early on was the change in my habits. I had started out reading the charts, cut and measure, being careful about portions of the vegies....as I got used to the routine I became much more lax about amounts. I had been using a tea plate for the fresh veg but changed to a larger dish with a lip because I didn't like the way Barney would dive in, drag out the leafy bits to get to the peppers and green beans or what ever was on the bottom.

I had gone off the rails and was feeding almost 3 times the amount needed, mostly in the leafy green department. They would get big mounds of assorted green bits twice a day and didn't have much interest in the pellets, water or hay.

[princesspoppy]

My girls drink very,very little. So i make sure i put a splash of water on veggies.

[2pigs2kids]

Originally Posted by azalea

The cavies I re-homed had been getting city water and pet store hay and pellets, limited vegies. We have well water but I used bottled water and they didn't seem to mind the change. Your tap water may not taste quite the same as they had before. The next town over may have well water or be using treated surface water, there can be a big taste difference.

That's a great point about the water that I hadn't thought of. They were on city/tap water previously and I have well water. Maybe it will just take them some getting used to the difference in taste. Thanks!

[catzeye21138]

They may still be stressed from the move. I'd say watch them for a while, and make sure they aren't getting dehydrated. One of my guinea pigs barely makes a dent in her water bottle by the end of the day, while one of my boars can empty one single handedly in a day and a half.

Keep us posted on how they're doing!

[wigglesgiggles1]

They get a lot of water from veggies. One of my boys drinks a lot and the other barely drinks, my vet said it is fine.

[Porky's Mom]

I agree that they are all different - like people they all drink different amounts. And, also like others said, they get some from veggies. My mama pig drank a TON when she was pregnant, and now my oldest female and my only male drink more than the others.

[Onetwo]

2PIGS. Toffee and Fudge dont drink a lot of water AND it might be a taste difference. The two of them drink about 1/4 of a bottle in a day. So If they are drinking less than that then it might be the taste. Just drench their veggies in water until they get used to the taste. Feel free to email me if you need any help. I would love to see pics of the new bedding and such you will be getting. My son misses them so when ever you can send a pic that would be great! Glad you like them they are a sweet pair! Later

[2pigs2kids]

Thanks onetwo! They are drinking less that so I've been putting water on their veggies. I'm sending you some pics right now!

[MasterBlaster]

I have the same problem as 2pigs2kids in that I am unsure how much water my 2 new young (just left Mamma) boars should be drinking as the water bottle does not seem to move much, but in our case they are getting hay, small amount of pellets and lots of fresh leafy veggies daily . I have noticed that they do seem to pass lots of clear pee, so I have not been to stressed so far.

Thanks in Advance Master Blaster

[tony891031]

It depends on the individual pig and also on the weather. My guinea pig drank a lot more during the summer and less during the winter.