Pfft, a whole guide on choosing the right guinea pig water bottle? Well, ignore us at your own peril. A good water bottle is absolutely paramount to the health and hydration of your guinea pig. So, it’s of the utmost importance that you select the best Guinea Pig water bottle for your pet.
However, fear not. We have put together a comprehensive guide to finding the best one for your guinea pig. Even if they can chew for England.
First off, you may be wondering what a water bottle for guinea pigs actually is:
A good water bottle is small (between 10 to 32oz capacity for an adult guinea pig), with an angled drinking pipe (typically made from steel) attached to the bottom.
It should be able to attach to the bars on your guinea pigs cage, and it should include a ball bearing to stop the water leaking on to the floor of the hutch. So far, so good, right?
Well, it’s not as easy as you think to find a water bottle that fits all of these requirements. But these items are crucial for your pet’s health and happiness. Fortunately, our helpful guide will have you a water-bottle pro in no time. Let’s get to it:
What’s the best Guinea Pig water bottle material?
You can find guinea pig water bottles in either glass or plastic. We’ll explore the pros and cons of each below:
Glass
Pros:
- Glass is much more durable than plastic, so you won’t find yourself having to replace it annually as you would with a plastic bottle.
- Glass is typically dishwasher-friendly, so it’s very easy to clean.
- It won’t harbor any nasty odors, as some plastic bottles do.
Cons:
- Glass is, of course, more breakable than plastic. So, you’ll have to be extra careful with maneuvering it, which can be tricky.
Plastic:
Pros:
- Plastic is generally safer than glass, as it doesn’t break as easily.
- It is also more affordable than glass.
Cons:
- Though it is more affordable, you will have to replace it more often than you would a glass bottle.
- Plastic is harder to clean (as they’re not dishwasher safe), and tend to develop some unpleasant odors throughout time.
So, as you can see there are pros and cons to both. However, if your purse strings can stretch to it, we recommend going with a glass bottle, and being extra careful with it. It will save you money in the long run (not to mention cleaning time!).
What is the best water bottle for a guinea pig?
We’re about to make shopping for your new guinea pig water bottle a lot easier. We’ve carefully curated the best, non-leak water bottles for hamsters and guinea pigs, (a guinea pig’s water bottle can also be used as a hamsters water bottle),
Best glass water bottle:
- Water bottle; Made of recycled glass
- Easy to install and refill
- Drip resistant
- Equipped with a water level indicator
- Holds 12 fluid ounces; Measures 2 inches length x 2.5 inches width x 12 inches height
These water bottles are brilliant. The Living World Eco Plus model is a drinking tube made out of recycled glass, so it’s both earth-friendly and durable, while also being easy to clean. It holds an impressive 32oz of water, so there’s no need to refill it as often as a smaller bottle, either.
It has a drip-resistant tube (yay, no leaks!) thanks to its double metal ball bearing. It also features a water-level indicator, as well as a safe attachment hook for your guinea pig’s cage. Finally, it’s 100% chew-proof (hurrah!).
This water bottle is actually suitable for all kinds of small animals, from rats to chinchillas, and makes a great water bottle for hamster pets, too. Simply fill it with fresh water, attach to the side of your cage (making sure the pipe is easily accessible to your furry pet) and you’re good to go…
The only downside is that some users report that the bottle can wiggle around a little when it’s attached to the cage, but this is definitely not a major drawback considering all the pros!
Best plastic water bottle:
- 🐾 Why Choco Nose Water Bottle? Are You Tired of Changing the Wet Bedding for Your Pet Cage? This Is The Best Small Pet Water Bottle For Your Beloved Pets. Providing A Wet-Free and Mess-Free Living Area For Your Furry Kids Is Very Essential. Choco Nose U.S. Patented Leak Proof Nozzle Can Prevent Water Leakage Effectively. Our Innovative Design Allows Your Pets to Enjoy Clean and Fresh Water While Keeping Your Home Clean and Dry.
- 🐾 Mini-Sized Nozzle (10mm) is recommended for Guinea Pig, Ferret, Hamster, Bunny. / Made of BPA Free Material/ 10.2 oz Capacity.
- 🐾 User-friendly Screw-on Bracket: Simple and Easy Installation. You Can Easily Snap the Water Bottle On or Off for Cleaning and Refilling Water.
- 🐾 Nail-on Bracket: It May Also Be Nailed To The Wall or Wooden Furniture with Screws (Not Included). Eco-idea: Pet Parent Can Switch Our Bottle to Most Regular Sized PET Bottles (Soda Bottle, Smart Water)
- 🐾 Very Important Instruction: Please Check the Water Bottle Daily and After Every Refill by Tapping the Metal Ball at the Nozzle Tip to Ensure Water Comes Out Properly. The Water Bottle is Ready to Use when Air Bubbles occur when you Tap the Metal Ball.
If you’re going to go with plastic water bottles, the Choco Nose H128 is a great choice of drinking tube. It’s simple, easy to use, and the plastic is BPA-free. It features a patented leak-proof nozzle, so you can be sure the water won’t leak all over your baby’s cage (no dripping guinea pig- phew!).
It’s very easy to install with a simple screw-on bracket. However, it can also be nailed to the wall, or on to wooden furniture with screws. So, wherever you keep your pet, this small animal water bottle will keep them happy and hydrated at all times!
It’s super easy to refill and can be replaced with a standard soda bottle if your budget can’t quite stretch when it needs replacing.
The (kind of) downside, is that it holds 11.2oz of water, which is significantly less than the Living World Eco Plus model. So, just make sure you’re refilling it every day. It’s worth knowing that guinea pigs typically require 4oz of water per day, so might find yourself filling it up every two to three days rather than daily. That said, it’s definitely best to offer your pet fresh water.
This is also a water bottle hamster babies will love, too, so it’s perfect for any small pet. With its teeny tiny nozzle, it’s suitable for lots of small animals.
Are water bottles bad for guinea pigs?
In a word, no. A bottle is the most common way to keep your guinea pig hydrated. The alternative method is a water bowl. Your guinea pig or guinea pigs may drink a little more water from a bowl, simply because it’s ever so slightly easier for them.
In general, people tend to choose water bottles for holding their guinea pig water, as they keep your pet’s water supply cleaner and fresher. Additionally, guinea pigs have a habit of tipping over their water bowls. If this happens at night, your little one could be left without water for hours. Not good!
Why does my guinea pig chew on his water bottle?
This is an issue many people observe when it comes to their guinea pigs and their guinea pig water bottle. In fact, it’s completely normal. The reason your guinea pig is chewing on their water bottle nozzle is that their teeth grow continually. As such, they need to grind them down to keep them nice and short.
Usually, your pet won’t be able to chew right through the nozzle, particularly if it’s made from stainless steel. So, you won’t have a dripping guinea pig, even if they’ve gone to town on that nozzle!
You may observe your small animal chewing on the bars of their cage, too. This is for the same reason. So, it’s best to get some chewy pet toys so they’ve got something to gnaw on other than their bottle!
There’s sometimes another reason for the chewing: It could be that your pet is trying to communicate to you that their water is no longer fresh, or they need a refill. Don’t ignore your pet if they do this, simply refill the water and everybody’s happy!
How long can a guinea pig go without water?
While there is no official advice from the veterinary profession regarding exactly how long a guinea pig or other small animal can go without water, it should not be long at all. No pet should be left without water for more than a few hours, and you should avoid this if at all possible.
The general consensus is that your guinea pig won’t survive long if they’ve been deprived of water for 12-24 hours. Like humans, they need regular sustenance. It’s your responsibility to ensure your pet has access to water at all times. Think of it as a basic ‘pet’ right.
How to clean your guinea pig’s water bottle
If you’ve noticed the inside of your beloved pet’s bottle is a little grimy, no fear. Usually, you don’t have to throw it away. Of course, if you’ve got a plastic bottle and you’ve had it for over a year, it may be time for a new one.
Simply unscrew the cap of the bottle, and fill it with warm water. Shake it out rather vigorously to get gone of that dirt. If there’s a lot of build-up around the dispenser area, use a pipe cleaner to get to the nitty-gritty bits. It’s best if you also have a small bottle brush, so you can adequately clean the inside of the bottle itself.
You may have noticed we haven’t recommended using soap. While you can, use the most natural soap (or dishwater detergent) as possible, and make sure you rinse it off very thoroughly. The last thing you want is your cute little fur baby ingesting any nasty chemicals! Then you’ll have far more than a dirty water bottle on your hands (think, very expensive vet bills, and maybe even the loss of your pet!).
These two items (the pipe and bottle cleaner) should provide you with enough tools to properly clean your guinea pig’s bottle.
So, if you felt a little clueless about your guinea pig’s water supply, we hope you feel more confident after reading this information. Happy hydrating! Your pet will thank you…
