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You likely have an image of a guinea pig drinking out of those water bottles attached to the side of their cage. However, it’s also normal to wonder if they can drink out of a regular bowl as well. Guinea pigs can drink out of water bowls too. However, there are precautions and steps to take if you place a water bowl in their enclosure.
You will need to clean and fill the bowl more regularly than a bottle. In this article, you’ll learn the pros and cons of having a water bowl in your guinea pigs’ enclosure and how to teach them to use a water bowl.
Are Water Bowls Safe?
Water bowls are usually safe if used in the right way. Water bottles might be a more convenient option for guinea pig owners and much less work. They should always be supplied as a clean source of water. Some guinea pigs may prefer a water bowl so they are fine to use in addition to a water bottle.
If your guinea pig is having trouble with the water bottle, visit with an exotic animal veterinarian. If your guinea pig is in pain or has a health problem they will need veterinary treatment.
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Cons of Water Bowls Over Bottles
The main disadvantage of providing water bowls for your guinea pigs is that, often, the water becomes contaminated with feces, urine, hair, hay, bedding, or other components found in your guinea’s enclosure. You’ll need to keep refreshing the water bowl throughout the day, as guinea pigs require clean water. Below is a list of cons to having a water bowl.
1. Spilling Hazard
When guinea pigs are active, they popcorn, chase, run, and wheek from excitement or playful activity. Water bowls are more likely to get tipped over. Guinea pigs cannot have damp bedding for too long, as it will cause bumblefoot, or inflammation of the skin and feet.
2. Risk to Baby Guineas
On the one hand, water bowls are most accessible for baby piggies to use, but on the other, if the water is too deep, you risk your babies drowning. If adult guinea pigs surround baby guinea pigs, they may accidentally tip the water bowl onto one and injure them. There are methods to this madness, and we’ll discuss them later.
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3. Mistaken for Baths
While it may be cute, some guinea pigs may mistake a water bowl for a wading pool. Although this activity seems innocent, it’s not hygienic and contaminates the drinking water.
4. Unsanitary
As mentioned, water bowls can become dirty fairly quickly. Guinea pigs will become sick if they drink contaminated water. If they choose not to drink it, they can become dehydrated.
5. More Work
As the bowls are much more prone to getting dirty or spilled this will mean you need to spend more time cleaning and refilling the water. You will also need to remove wet bedding from the enclosure.
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Pros of Water Bowls for Guinea Pigs
Water bowls make it more comfortable for guinea pigs to drink. With water bottles, your guineas must tip their head, which can be challenging to maneuver if they have health problems. More pros to using water bowls include:
1. Easier to Clean
Water bottles are harder to clean because you use small instruments to scrub the inside of the nozzle. With a water bowl, you can easily add it to the rest of your dishes and clean it with dish soap. Ensure you get all soap residue from the water bowl before placing it in the cage.
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2. More Comfortable for Sick Guinea Pigs
Painful or sick guinea pigs enjoy water bowls because they don’t have to tip their head to drink from a water bottle. Since water bowls are placed on the floor, guinea pigs can comfortably drink as much or as little as they’d like.
3. Doesn’t Require Training
Young guinea pigs need to be trained to use a water bottle. For pets that have never used a bottle before, drinking from a bowl is instinctive and can prevent dehydration while they learn to use the bottle.
Tips for Keeping a Water Bowl in Your Guinea Pig Enclosure
The three most important measures to take when using a water bowl over a bottle for your guinea pigs are cleanliness, keeping it secure, and watching how much water they drink. Below is a list of tips for safely keeping a water bowl in your guinea pig’s enclosure.
Cleanliness
Unfortunately, there is only one way to keep the water bowl consistently clean if you refill it throughout the day. However, you can place the water bowl away from food, hay, or any other mess to prevent the bowl from getting dirty as often. The best method is to place the water bowl near towels in the corner of the cage, away from busy areas.
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Keeping It Secure
To stop the water bowl from tipping, you can do one of two things: duct tape the bottom of the bowl to the cage or use a clip-on bowl to the bars of the cage. You’ll want a shallow bowl so it’s not tippable, and your guinea pig’s weight won’t spill any water. With clip-on bowls, it sticks to the side of the cage, which is most convenient for both guinea pigs and owners.
Water Intake
Water bottles have indentation lines showing how much water your guinea pigs have drunk. With ceramic or glass bowls, you can use a permanent marker on the outside of the bowl to estimate how much water has been drunk.
The best bowls to use for guinea pigs are glass or ceramic. Never place plastic bowls in the enclosure, as guinea pigs will chew through them and either choke or ruin the dish. Metal bowls are another safe alternative.
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Conclusion
So, are water bowls safe? Can guinea pigs drink from a water bowl? Yes, water bowls are ok to use in the right circumstances. While there are some challenges to providing a water bowl, like tipping hazards, wet bedding, and mistaken bathtubs, there are hacks to control these habits.
Some guinea pigs will never learn or want to use water bowls, so it’s always best to provide both bottles and bowls. If your guinea pig gets at least 80 ml of water daily, it won’t matter which method you use.
See Also: Can Guinea Pigs Drink Tap Water? Vet Approved Safety & Care Guide
Featured Image Credit: Nop1-Shutterstock
