Train A Guinea Pig To Drink From A Water Bottle (9 Simple Tips)
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So you want to train your guinea to drink from a water bottle? Cool. It’s not too hard to teach them how to do it. Just follow these simple steps and be patient, and they’ll be using the water bottle like a pro in no time.
The most common challenge people have when trying to train their guinea pig to drink from a water bottle is getting them to understand what the water bottle is for in the first place. Often, guinea pigs will be hesitant to drink from the bottle because they are unsure of what it is. Once they realize that the water bottle is for drinking, they’ll be much more likely to use it.
Training a guinea pig to use a water bottle can be difficult. They often do not understand what it is, and getting them to drink from it can be difficult. Keep reading to get tips to help you overcome these challenges. Before you know it, you’re piggie will be drinking from a water bottle like a pro.
1. Choose The Right Type Of Water Bottle
When it comes to training your guinea pig to drink from a water bottle, one of the most important things you can do is choose the right type of water bottle.
Not all water bottles are created equal – some are easier for guinea pigs to drink from than others.
The Lixit Wide Mouth Water Bottle or the Choco Nose No-Drip Water Bottle are popular choices with most guinea pig parents. They’re typically easy to drink from for most guinea pigs and they tend not to leak as much as other brands.
Don’t be fooled by the words “no leak” or “no drip” in the names of a water bottle. The truth is that most water bottles leak unless you use the right type of bottle and have it set up correctly.
2. Make Sure The Water Bottle Works
One of the most important things you need to do when training your guinea pig to drink from a water bottle is make sure the water bottle works.
If the water bottle doesn’t work, your guinea pig won’t be able to drink from it, and that will defeat the entire purpose of training them in the first place.
Test the water bottle out before you start training your guinea pig. Fill it up with water and see if the water comes out of the nozzle when you press on the little silver ball that’s inside the nozzle.
If the water doesn’t come out, the bottle is probably defective (or maybe needs to be cleaned) and you’ll need to get a new one.
I think you might like this post: Water Bowl vs. Water Bottle Battle: Which One Is Best For Guinea Pigs?
3. Make The Water Bottle Accessible
Another important thing you need to do when training your guinea pig to drink from a water bottle is make sure your little friends can actually get to it. If your guinea pig can’t reach the water bottle, they won’t be able to drink from it.
You’ll want to place the water bottle somewhere that is easy for your guinea pig to get to. A lot of pet parents like to put the water bottle on the side of the cage.
Typically, you want the water bottle to be about shoulder-height for your guinea pig. This will make it easy for them to reach the water bottle and drink from it.
If you have more than one guinea pig, you’ll need to have a water bottle for each guinea pig. Otherwise, they may fight over the water bottle and someone could end up getting hurt.
4. Offer Less Veggies and Fruits
Guinea pigs get a lot of water from the fruits and veggies that they eat. (Who knew?) Offering less produce and more hay and pellets will help make them thirstier and may encourage them to drink more water from their water bottle.
On average, a guinea pig is allowed to eat up to 1 cup of produce (mostly leafy greens) each day. While you’re training your guinea pig to drink from the water bottle, it’s okay to decrease the amount of produce they’re eating to help make them thirstier.
When you do offer produce, go easy on the watery veggies like celery, cucumber, and iceberg lettuce. These veggies can actually make your guinea pig less thirsty, not more.
5. Phase Out The Water Bowl
You can have a period of transition (a week or so) from the water bowl that your little friend is probably using. But, then you need to get rid of it altogether.
The water bottle should be the main source of water for your guinea pig from this point on.
If you leave the water bowl in the cage, your guinea pig may still try to use it and may not drink as much from the water bottle. So, it’s best to just get rid of the water bowl altogether – at least during meal times when you’re feeding pellets.
6. Sling Food On The Water Bottle Nozzle
When first training your guinea pig to use the water bottle, you may need to give them a little incentive to actually drink from it.
A lot of guinea pigs are hesitant to drink from a water bottle because they’re not used to it. So, you may need to offer them a little bit of food as an incentive to get them to drink from the water bottle.
A lot of pet parents like to sling a slice of strawberry or cucumber on the water bottle nozzle. This way, when their guinea pig goes to eat the treat, they’ll also be likely to get a little sip of water.
Be sure to remove the food once your guinea pig starts drinking from the water bottle on their own. Otherwise, they may just start expecting food every time they drink from the water bottle and may not drink as much.
7. Show Your Guinea Pig How To Get Water Out Of It
There’s nothing wrong with giving your guinea pig a little help when they’re first learning how to use the water bottle. After all, it can be a bit confusing for them at first.
One way you can do this is by holding the water bottle up to their mouth and lightly pressing on the metal ball inside the nozzle. This will allow some water to come out and your guinea pig can get a taste of it – and realize that water comes out of it.
You may need to do this a few times before your guinea pig gets the hang of it, but eventually they’ll catch on and be able to get water out of the bottle on their own.
8. Let Them Learn From Another Guinea Pig
One of the easiest ways to train your guinea pig to use a water bottle is to let them learn from another guinea pig.
If you have more than one guinea pig, simply put a water bottle in their cage and let them figure it out on their own. Chances are, they’ll catch on pretty quickly and start using it without any problems.
You see, piggies like to copy each other for good habits and for bad habits. So, if you have a guinea pig that’s already using a water bottle, chances are the other one will start using it too.
9. Make Sure They Like The Water in the Bottle
Cavies can be a little picky when it comes to water. Some guinea pigs are perfectly okay with tap water while others prefer filtered water.
The best way to find out if your guinea pig likes the water in their bottle is to simply give them a taste of it. Put a few drops on your finger and let them lick it off. If they seem to like it, then that’s what you need to put in their water bottle.
Avoid adding Vitamin C supplements to their water as this can actually make their water taste bad and they may not want to drink it.
Why Won’t My Guinea Pig Drink From A Water Bottle?
Typically, the main reason guinea pigs won’t drink from a water bottle is because they don’t know how to use it. Often they don’t even know that the water bottle is a source of water.
One way you can solve this problem is by putting a slice of cucumber or strawberry on the nozzle. This will give them a little incentive to figure out how to get water out of the bottle.
Another reason your guinea pig may not be drinking from their water bottle is because they don’t like the taste of the water.
And some guinea pigs simply prefer drinking out of water bowls instead. It’s really up to the individual guinea pig and you may just need to experiment with a few different options before finding the right one for them.
Is A Water Bottle Better For Guinea Pigs?
Typically, a water bottle is better for guinea pigs. First, water bottles are less likely to become contaminated with food or other debris. Water bottles are less likely to tip over, making it easier for your guinea pig to stay hydrated. Plus, water bottles provide a constant supply of fresh water, which is important for keeping your guinea pig healthy.
There’s nothing wrong with your guinea pigs using a water bowl instead of a water bottle. But, you are going to have to work extra hard to make sure the water bowl stays clean, fresh and full. Some piggies have a sneaky habit of dumping water bowls, so you’ll need to be prepared for that too.
Can A Guinea Pig Drink Cold Water?
A guinea pig can drink chilled water out of a water bottle without any problems. In fact, some guinea pigs may actually prefer it. But, you shouldn’t let your guinea pig drink ice-cold water as this can cause stomach problems.
Do I Need To Clean My Guinea Pig’s Water Bottle?
Yes, you should clean your guinea pig’s water bottle on a regular basis. At a minimum, you should clean it once a week. But, if your guinea pig is using it more often, you may need to clean it more frequently.
When cleaning their water bottle, be sure to use hot water and mild soap. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials as these can damage the bottle and be harmful to your guinea pig.
Once you’ve cleaned their water bottle, be sure to rinse it well to remove any soap residue.
This post should be helpful: 5 Simple Ways To Clean A Guinea Pig Water Bottle
How Do You Know If A Guinea Pig Is Dehydrated?
A dehydrated guinea pig may have sunken eyes, dry skin, or a dry nose. They may also be lethargic or have a decrease in appetite. If you think your guinea pig is dehydrated, it’s important to take them to the vet right away.
Dehydration can be very dangerous and even deadly for guinea pigs, so it’s important to take it seriously.
How Much Water Should A Guinea Pig Drink?
Guinea pigs need to drink around 100 ml of water for every 2 pounds (or 1 kilogram) of their weight each day. So, if your guinea pig weighs 2 pounds, he or she needs to drink around 200 ml of water each day. Remember that they also get hydration from the food they eat, so take that into account too
If you’re concerned that your guinea pig isn’t drinking enough water, talk to your vet. They can help you figure out how much water your guinea pig needs and what you can do to encourage them to drink more.
Final Thoughts About Training Guinea Pigs To Use Water Bottles
If you follow the tips above, you should be able to train your guinea pig to use a water bottle in no time. Just be patient and keep trying different things until you find what works for your guinea pig.
If you’re ever concerned about your guinea pig’s hydration levels, talk to your vet. They can help you figure out how much water your guinea pig needs and what you can do to encourage them to drink more.
Do you have any tricks or tips that helped you train your guinea pig to use a water bottle? Share them in the comments below.