Importance of Guinea Pig Hydration

Like all mammals, good hydration is necessary for optimal health and normal body function. Hydration plays a large role in several body systems, including optimal blood pressure and the perfusion of oxygen around the body, the excretion of urine and toxins out of the body, and normal digestion through the GIT, just to name a few. Providing fresh, clean water for our guinea pigs should be part of our daily care routine, and it is so important that water is readily available 24/7. 

Factors affecting Water Intake

There are many factors that impact the normal quantity of water that guinea pigs should drink per day, this may include: 

• Age and Size 
• Pregnancy or lactating status (Higher metabolic requirements requires more water)
• Activity level (More active guinea pigs will drink more water)
• Environmental factors (Guinea pigs in warmer environments will require more water)

Normal Daily Water Intake for Guinea Pigs

The average daily water intake for guinea pigs is approximately 10ml/100g of body weight. This means a 1kg guinea pig requires about 100ml of water per day. This can vary as per the above factors* 

Bowls or Water Bottles? 

Ultimately this is a personal preference, for both you and your piggies. Some guinea pigs will prefer to drink out of bowls, whilst others will prefer water bottles. We recommend giving your guinea pigs options to find out what they like most, as the most important thing is they are receiving an adequate water intake one way or another. Most pet owners and guinea pigs will prefer water bottles however as they are generally cleaner and less contaminated than bowls. It may also be easier to monitor water intake using water bottles. 

Buttercup pet products water bottle and holder: Available at Guinea Pigs Australia 

Signs of Dehydration in Guinea Pigs

The most common signs of dehydration in guinea pigs are: 

• Reduced activity levels and weakness
• Sunken eyes
• Decreased urination 
• Reduced appetite 
• Noted reduced water intake

If you suspect your guinea pigs are dehydrated, it is important to ensure they have access to multiple water points, with clean and fresh water. It may also help to feed high water content vegetables such as cucumber, watermelon and cos lettuce, or spritzing their daily vegetables with water to help increase intake. If your guinea pig is showing signs of being unwell please visit your veterinarian - dehydration can be life threatening. 

My Guinea pigs drink a LOT of water - what to do next? 

The average water intake for a 1kg guinea pig is approximately 100ml of water per day - this is an average guide and a very variable figure as there are many factors that can affect normal water intake volumes.
 
Drinking excessive amounts of water can however be a sign of several underlying medical conditions, and if you believe your guinea pig is drinking too much water we recommend a check up at your local cavy-savvy veterinarian. Your vet may recommend running tests such as blood and urine tests to check for underlying conditions. 

Any questions? 

If you have any questions on Guinea Pig hydration, or on our products custom-made for this need, get in touch with the team at Guinea Pigs Australia here.