How much should guinea pigs drink per day?
A healthy guinea pig can drink anywhere from 50ml to 300ml of water per day on average, depending on their weight.
Now, the amount of water consumed by your guinea pigs is dependant on a variety of factors, including their age, size, and the cuisine they are fed.
Aside from these seasonal considerations, the exercise and lifestyle of your guinea pigs have an impact on the amount of water they consume as well.
When comparing the drinking habits of their own guinea pig with those of other guinea pigs, the majority of guinea pig owners are concerned about drinking.
Now, this is subject to considerable variation. Your guinea pigs may be drinking 80 mL of water at the same moment, while your other guinea pig may be drinking more than 150 mL of water at the same time.
The majority of owners now believe that either one of their guinea pigs is drinking significantly more water or the other is drinking significantly less water.
Both of the statements, however, are wrong. It is never permissible to compare the consumption of one guinea pig with that of another.
Instead, have a check at their specific water usage and see whether somebody has suddenly started drinking a lot more water. If so, this should raise some red flags.
More information about the water intake of your guinea pigs can be found in our in-depth article on the subject. It is a must-read for everyone who is just starting off.
Is it bad if your guinea pig drinks a lot of water?
The use of large amounts of water by your guinea pigs is completely natural for them from the very beginning of their lives.
If, on the other hand, your guinea pigs suddenly began consuming significantly more water than they were previously accustomed to, this is most likely a warning indication.
It is also known as ‘Polydipsia,’ which refers to an excessive amount of thirst in guinea pigs (or other rodents).
Observe your guinea pigs for signs of other health concerns if they seem to be consuming a lot more water or showing signs of polydipsia.
Polydipsia, or excessive thirst, is not a life-threatening condition in and of itself, but you should be on the lookout for additional signs in your guinea pigs.
Some of the most typical indications and symptoms that you might observe in conjunction with polydipsia include:
- Change in appetite
- Lethargy and Sluggish movement
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea or frequent urination
- Signs of pain
- Aggression and other behavior changes
- Difficulty breathing
- Confusion
If you see any of these symptoms in addition to polydipsia, it is likely that they are suffering from an underlying health problem.
What causes excessive thirst in guinea pigs?
There are a variety of variables that can contribute to excessive thirst in guinea pigs. We will address some of the most common causes of polydipsia in guinea pigs in this section. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind before proceeding.
Using this method, you will come to the conclusion that your guinea pig consumes excessive amounts of water. However, this way is not the most appropriate method to use in this situation.
Instead, you should keep a tight eye on your guinea pig’s every movement. If you observe at any point in time that their eating or drinking habits have changed over a period of several days, this could be cause for concern.
If you still believe that your guinea pig is using an excessive amount of water, it is time to conduct further investigation.
The following are the eight most common causes of excessive thirst in guinea pigs that you should be aware of:
Table of Contents
Dehydration
Despite the fact that it may seem evident, dehydration in guinea pigs is frequently disregarded.
Your guinea pig is thirsty, which is why he or she is consuming excessive amounts of water.
Guinea pigs are prone to becoming dehydrated for a variety of causes, and when this occurs, it is not uncommon for them to drink an excessive amount of water to compensate.
Some of the most common causes are as follows:
- Diarrhea
- water bottle nozzle is not working
- Water has some additive
- Change in their type of diet being served
Additionally, there are several health conditions that might induce dehydration in guinea pigs aside from the ones listed above.
If you are unsure of the reason for your guinea pig’s dehydration, it is recommended that you take them to the veterinarian.
A leaking bottle can cause a significant amount of mess, so I strongly advise you to give this fantastic choconose water bottle a try. They’re fantastic, and they’ve been patented as being leakproof.
Change in diet
A change in the food of your guinea pigs could be one of the most significant challenges that they face when they develop polydipsia.
Dietary changes that are too drastic can cause diarrhea, which can result in the loss of electrolytes that are vital to the body’s functioning.
Aside from that, an insufficient diet in guinea pigs could also be the cause of excessive thirst in these animals.
When it comes to extreme thirst, there are two primary reasons that could be responsible for it:
- Lack of vegetables in diet: Guinea pigs are fussy eater, but they do get a significant part of their water needs from their veggies. Although hay is the staple part of your guinea pig’s diet, they also need a cup of fresh veggies daily to keep their digestive system well-balanced. A lack of vegetables in their diet can trigger excessive thirst in your guinea pigs.
- Salt in diet: Adding excess salt to your guinea pig’s diet can lead to dehydration in your guinea pigs. Salt can absorb water from the cells, leaving them completely dehydrated. This can cause dehydration in your guinea pigs.
In order to provide your guinea pig with a balanced diet, you should serve a variety of veggies.
For those who are unsure about their diet, reading articles on the subject will provide you with additional information.
Additionally, we have an in-depth book on the food of the guinea pig, which you should absolutely check out!
Apart from that, you should keep in mind that guinea pigs do not require salt licks, so if you have accidentally placed one in their cage, you should remove it immediately.
Overheating
Our guinea pigs are also uncomfortable when the temperature rises, which is similar to our own experience.
Guinea pigs are unable to withstand the extreme heat of July. They require a stable habitat in order to have a healthy life.
As a result, it should be obvious that summer heat can easily overheat your guinea pigs, especially if they have a thick fur coat.
Because our bodies lose moisture in the form of sweat throughout the summer, we prefer to drink more water during the summer months.
However, because guinea pigs do not perspire, why do they require extra water? The solution is fairly straightforward.
They are able to maintain their body temperature with the use of cool water. In this way, they are able to regulate their internal body temperature more effectively.
But your guinea pigs may overheat at times, which can be potentially fatal to them if not treated immediately.
As a result, you must keep an eye out for signs of overheating in addition to polydipsia in your guinea pigs. Some of the more typical signs are as follows:
- Hot or red ear
- Lying with their body stressed out
- Lethargy
- A wet nose
- Breathing with mouth open
- Hiding in their hideout
Overheating can be fatal, therefore you must take steps to ensure that your guinea pigs are kept cool.
Some typical suggestions include spraying the area with cold water, placing a chilled bottle covered in a towel or fleece, and so on.
Alternatively, you can read our in-depth essay on the subject to find out more about keeping your guinea pigs cool in the heat.
Severe pain
Guinea pigs are prey animals, and they will go to great lengths to conceal their discomfort and disease.
As a result of this behavior, they are more likely to survive and avoid becoming a convenient prey for predators.
It does, however, present a difficulty for their owners, as judging whether or not their guinea pig is in discomfort or sick becomes more difficult.
Nonetheless, there are several patterns of conduct to keep an eye out for that can assist you in understanding their situation.
One of the most common reasons is a change in eating and drinking habits.
The lack of sufficient nutrition and excessive water consumption in your guinea pig could be indicative of a more serious underlying health concern in the animal.
Some of the most common causes of pain are as follows:
- Dental issues: Some common example includes, rotten teeth, malocclusion, and overgrown teeth.
- Bumblefoot: Raw patches of skin that develop at the bottom of their feet.
- Gastrointestinal problems: For example bloating, stomach upset, etc.
- Surgery: Drinking a lot of water after surgery is a common phenomenon.
There can be a variety of additional reasons contributing to discomfort. Visit a veterinarian to ensure that you receive the correct examination. Our in-depth article on guinea pig pain can also help you understand more about what causes pain in guinea pigs and what you should do if your guinea pig is experiencing discomfort.
Urinary tract problems
Guinea pigs are prone to urinary tract infections, which are frequent in humans. An unhealthy diet, a filthy living environment, or any number of other reasons might contribute to this condition.
Some of the most frequent urinary system issues are urinary tract infection, bladder stone, sludge, and other sludge-related issues.
Although excessive thirst is not a direct indicator of urinary tract difficulties, if your guinea pig is experiencing these issues, they may end up drinking extra water in order to alleviate their discomfort and symptoms. Find out more in-depth information. What is the best way to treat a UTI in Guinea Pigs?
Diabetes
Insulin resistance and diabetes are common diseases in guinea pigs, especially in those that are overweight.
Often, guinea pig owners are unaware of their animals’ nutritional requirements and wind up feeding them excessive amounts of treats, which can lead to obesity and diabetes in the animals.
Guinea pigs can be diabetic from the time they are born. This, on the other hand, is a very rare occurrence. In the majority of cases, diabetes in guinea pigs is caused by an imbalanced diet.
A few of the most typical signs of diabetes are excessive thirst, an increase in hunger, frequent urination, and other similar manifestations.
It is critical to get medical assistance immediately for a guinea pig who has diabetes. You must also alter their eating habits and transition them to a more nutritious one.
Digestive problems
Digestive disorders, such as diarrhea, bloating, and other symptoms, could have a direct impact on your guinea pigs’ ability to consume food and water.
If your guinea pigs are suffering from such issues, they will lose electrolytes quickly and will need to drink more water as a result of this.
While digestive issues can be life-threatening in certain cases, they are typically a minor condition that can be resolved with a little additional attention and a healthy diet.
Some of the signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for are as follows:
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Unable to move or confusion
If you notice such symptoms in your guinea pigs with polydipsia, then you must consult a vet. Your guinea pig’s health could deteriorate in no time if we don’t pay attention to the same.
Behavioral causes
If none of the factors listed above are the root reason of your guinea pigs’ excessive thirst, there is a good chance that nothing is wrong with them medically. They could, on the other hand, have established the habit of consuming excessive amounts of water as a result of boredom or a lack of mental stimulation. Guinea pigs are intelligent and energetic creatures, and they can become melancholy if they do not receive enough cerebral stimulation.
If your guinea pigs are showing signs of excessive thirst, it is possible that this is the cause.
Anxiety and stress may also contribute to excessive thirst in guinea pigs, according to some researchers.
However, you must first have your guinea pigs evaluated by a veterinarian before proceeding any further.
As is sometimes the case, there are medical problems that we are unable to explore, but a comprehensive examination by a veterinarian can determine the same.
Treatment of excessive thirst in guinea pigs
If you notice that your guinea pig is drinking excessively, your first step should be to determine the source of the problem. To begin, take a look at what your guinea pig is eating. Is the amount of hay and veggies they consume sufficient for them? How many sweets have you been dishing out lately? Did you make any big dietary modifications for them?
Make tiny and basic changes to their diet and track the results to see if they have any positive results.
Once they’ve finished with the diet, they can move into their new home. Keep an eye on the temperature and the living conditions in your home.
Is there adequate ventilation in the house? Is their cage located near a window that allows them to receive direct sun?
Consider relocating their cage to a more prominent location in your home. Preferably in a more pleasant environment.
For a few days, keep an eye on your guinea pig’s health. Additionally, monitor their water usage on a daily basis.
You can use a marker to label their water bottle and track how much water they drink on a regular basis.
Don’t put any restrictions on their access to food and water. Keep track of their caloric intake, however.
In the meantime, you could be keeping an eye out for any other health issues in your guinea pigs. These signs and symptoms could be indicative of a serious health problem:
Change in drinking habits
- Change in appetite
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Not urinating or defecating
If you notice any of these symptoms in your guinea pigs, then rush them to a vet immediately.
They can accurately diagnose your guinea pigs to find the cause.
Once diagnosed, you can treat your guinea pig for the specific problem, as suggested by the vet.
