Do you want to know what do guinea pigs drink? Guinea pigs may get thirsty less often when they eat food with lots of fluids. Predominantly, guinea pigs are known to acquire a lot of moisture from their diet. However, that does not mean that they do not need water or any other drink. They drink water that is clean and fresh from their bottle that also needs to be kept clean at all times. They may also drink other liquids such as milk but not as common as they drink water. Milk may be necessary when a guinea pig is ill or has young ones to feed but on rare occasions.
Water
Water is the best drink for these fantastic creatures, and by far. Many factors determine the amount of water that guinea pigs need, including age, weather conditions, and production stage. You must ensure that your guinea pigs always have access to not only adequate but also appropriate water for the conditions mentioned above and stages. One guinea pig requires a minimum of 80 milliliters per day. This amount of intake will increase if the animal is pregnant or lactating.
Benefits of water to guinea pigs
Just like other mammals, guinea pigs are mostly made up of water. And since the body uses the water to function with some being lost during breathing, elimination, and other life processes, it needs to be continuously replenished. The importance of water to these mammals is undeniable, with some functions including regulating temperature, protecting the spinal cords, cushioning and lubricating joints, and riding the body wastes.
Water that guinea pig likes
Do not think that any water is right for your guinea pig. You should offer them the same type of clean, fresh, plain water that you drink. If tap water is what you drink, then it is alright to give it to your guinea pigs. Other suitable water includes bottled water, well water, and reverse osmosis and filtered water. You can also use softened water or alkaline water when that is the only available water. However, you should double-check the water with your veterinarian before offering it to such small pets as guinea pigs.
What temperature of water do guinea pigs drink?
To answer the question of what do guinea pigs drink in terms of temperature is not easy since different of them may have different tastes or requirements based on several factors. However, typically, room temperature water or any other liquid that is necessary is all that is needed. Since they may have different tastes, you should also experiment with adding an ice cube to the water when the weather is warm. If the pet seems to enjoy the water, then keep doing that for it. It would be best if you were very keen on how pets behave when you make such changes. Whenever you realize that they do not like something, please make the necessary changes to it immediately.
How to serve your guinea pigs?
A normal-sized adult guinea pig needs about 100 milliliters of water every day. Never supplement the water with any minerals or vitamins if you already provide the pets with food rich in vitamin C. But how do you serve the pets with water? Use inverted glass water bottles fitted with a metal or Pyrex glass cannula since they prevent the guinea pigs form chewing on them. Sipper-tube waterers are not suitable since the guinea pigs will eat on them and even block the as a result.
Suspend the feeders and waterers away from their bedding to prevent the animals from defecating and urinating into their water. Therefore, they will feed like they would do if you place the equipment on the floor. Dry any spillages right away to ensure dry beddings. If the pen is placed outside and the sun heats the water till it gets too hot, be keen to replace the drink sooner.
You should replace water daily to keep it free from bacteria. And remember, topping up the water is not a good idea. Instead, you should replace the whole of it with a completely new and fresh one. Apart from the health benefit of the complete water replacement, it will also help you monitor the amount of water that the pet is drinking every day. Any changes in their daily intake may mean a medical condition that should be looked at.
What about other drinks?
Just like we have mentioned, guinea pigs can drink milk only when it is essential. Otherwise, water is the only liquid that the pets should drink. Never give them any other drinks. It is unhealthy for them to ingest high sugar, high fat, or high salt drinks. Suppose there is a way that you can avoid giving them milk even when they seem to need it the better. They should never drink soda, dairy, juice, sports drink, caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, tea, cocoa, beer, wine, and other beverages.
Such drinks are not good for the health of your Guinea pigs. The impurities in bad water and the artificial sweeteners in some of these other drinks can cause health problems in the pets. On top of that, it is essential to maintain high levels of hygiene. Make sure you clean the water bottles and bowls regularly to protect your pets from bacteria too. Therefore, water is an essential drink for guinea pigs.
Final Verdict
Back to the question of what do guinea pigs drink, water is the answer. They need not just water; fresh, clean water. Good clean tap water can work just fine, so you do not have to complicate it all. If you notice that your pet is not drinking the water, check if the bottle is dispensing the water accurately because that is where the problem might be. If there is nothing wrong with the container and the guinea pig is still not drinking, do not hesitate to contact a veterinary doctor as soon as possible as the pet may be unwell. Never leave them without water even for a short time since they may become dehydrated fast and fall ill.
