Can a Guinea Pig get dehydrated?

Question

We got a Guinea Pig for my sister and my aunt and i are taking care off it. We are worried that it is not drinking enough water. How can we know if hes getting enough fluids? How can we get him to drink more?

Answer 1

Signs a guinea pig maybe dehydrated include:
Small than normal droppings or tear drop shaped ones.
Very strong smelling urine (because its not flushing the system as well and is more concentrated)
Less frequent urination
Sunken eyes and tacky gums (very dehydrated)

If you don't think he's drinking enough, he may be getting his fluids from somewhere else and not actually dehydrated at all. If you feed him lots of fruits and veggies that have lots of fluids, he should be getting enough. I have two guines pigs who don't drink a lot of water because they get freshly washed lettuce, and other veggies everyday.

If you're really not sure about it, check his teeth to make sure their not broken. I had a guinea pig who broke his bottom teeth and couldn't drink his water at all. If that's the case, take him to the vet right away and they can show you how to feed and water your guinea pig.

Answer 2

Yes they can. If you are worried about his water intake try feeding him some Lettuce or Spinach leaves you might want to call a vet if you think the Guinea pig is dehydrated.

Answer 3

A Guinea Pig of course and get dehydrated. Everything can. I don't know how to tell if he is getting enough fluids, but we humans have to use the restroom if we have enough fluids.

Answer 4

Yes, a cavy can easily get dehydrated.
Feed it iceberg lettuce- but not on a daily basis as it has no nutritional value. It's basically water. Also cucumber slices are good. You can also feed small cubes of watermelon or watermelon rind. Be sure to remove seeds first!
Have any fruits or veggies that you give slighty wet with water that you just rinsed it with.

Make sure the water bottle is next to their pellet bowl. How old is the piggie? Sometimes they just don't understand the concept of a water bottle if it's been drinking from a dish or bowl.

If it still appears that your piggie is not drinking from the water bottle, please try to take him to a small animals/exotics vet.

Good luck with your piggie!

Answer 5

A general sign of health in guinea pigs is a shiny, healthy looking coat of fur. As long as you know that it is able to use the water bottle, I wouldn't be worried.

Also, in response to an answer above, do NOT feed it celery!! The strings in the celery can easily get stuck in your pig's throat and choke it. Sorry to end on such a sour note. Take care.

Answer 6

yeap it can get dehydrated. You have to provide your pet with enough water and food. If you Guinea Pig doesn't like its drinking bottle maybe you can buy or take it to the vet.

Answer 7

Yes any living creature needs water or some type of liquid to hydrate itself and you should take it to the vet if it isnt drinking enough because it could up getting dehydrated causing it to get sick.

Answer 8

Anything living can become dehydrated.

Answer 9

Any animal can get dehydrated.You need to take it to the vet so they can give IV fluids to re-hydrated it.You can see if he is by pulling a piece of skin up.If it does not go down quickly then he is dehydrated.But you really should take him to the vets.

Answer 10

Try feeding your pet celery.My canary loves celery.I was certain that he needed more water.You might also try water misting.This also works for my canary.I clean his cage once in the morning and again before bed.