Water water bowl vs bottle

[moosey2002]

My orphans arent getting the idea of drinking from the water bottle yet, and they are refusing the syringe feedings. they are eating plenty of dry food and veggies, and Im afraid thats the only water intake they are getting from the wet veggies.
Since we just lost one tonight, Im not ultra paranoid that this is somehow related. Would it be beneficial to but a shallow bowl of water in their cage to encourage drinking on their own? Or could they drown in that? I use fleece so Im not worried about shavings getting in it, and Im home all weekend so I can be sure to keep it fresh. yeah or nay?

 

[boofp]

im sorry for your loss, I cant see why It wouldn't hurt to try supervised of course.

 

[bpatters]

I'd just make sure their veggies are very wet. Lettuce is mostly water anyway, as are most vegetables, so they're likely ok.

Are you weighing them daily at the same time of day? preferably before breakfast? Are they gaining weight, or at least holding steady?

If they're not gaining, then you need to hand feed, and "refusing the syringe feedings" isn't an option. It's called "force feeding" for a reason, and if they're not gaining, you have to do it whether they like it or not.

 

[moosey2002]

Since we just lost one tonight, Im not ultra paranoid that this is somehow related.

I meant Im *now* paranoid, not *not*. oops.

 

[moosey2002]

I'd just make sure their veggies are very wet. Lettuce is mostly water anyway, as are most vegetables, so they're likely ok.

Are you weighing them daily at the same time of day? preferably before breakfast? Are they gaining weight, or at least holding steady?

If they're not gaining, then you need to hand feed, and "refusing the syringe feedings" isn't an option. It's called "force feeding" for a reason, and if they're not gaining, you have to do it whether they like it or not.

They were taking the syringe feeding just fine and actually begging for them, than once they discovered the pellets and veggies, they squirm away like Im torturing them and I was afraid of one of them choking or aspirating with all that commotion, so that's why I stopped.
No I haven't found a scale yet. The store I went to earlier this week didn't sell them, and that was the only chance I had to get out to the store. After I call the vet at 8am I'm going to go to a different store that says on line that they have them in stock.

 

[beachgurl_1988]

A tiny, like, pie pan of water I don't think would hurt. Might be more of a mess! But just like, a tiny bit of water in it..

I agree if they are eating lots of veggies they are probably getting enough. I give my pigs veggies on a plate, so you can just rinse the veggies and/or pour a bit of water on them so they get more water.

Also an idea, try maybe some different size water bottles. When I first got my Baby, she was too small to get the water out of a big tube. I got one more suited for hamsters (smaller diameter sipper tube) and she used that for a few weeks until she got the hang of it.