Water

Guinea pigs should have constant access to fresh, clean water every day. Change your piggies' water daily to prevent algae growth and promote a healthy supply of water. You can offer it in a water bottle that connects to the cage, or in a non-tip bowl.

Water should be pure, but it's best to not include any additives (like Vitamin C drops) in their water to give them 'extra nutrition', as this may change the taste, causing your piggies to drink less!

Tap water is perfectly fine for your piggies. Supplying fresh vegetables, fruit and hay are the natural, healthy way to obtain the extra necessary vitamins and minerals your piggies require.

FEEDING OPTIONS

Bottles or Bowls?

An excellent way to supply water to your guinea pig is via a water bottle attached to their cage. Water bottles come in various shapes and sizes but should always include a solid sipper tube and ball bearing that cannot become detached from the actual bottle. Clear water bottles may also be a better investment as you can see how much your guinea pig is drinking, and when it may be time to refill. Bottles come in plastic or glass.

Water bowls are also another option that can be used in conjunction with bottles. A heavy ceramic bowl or slanted design which cannot be easily tipped over is best.

Some guinea pigs may find it much easier to drink from a bowl compared to a bottle, however bowls will require frequent rinsing and cleaning as they become soiled and slimy very quickly!

Always include a water bottle in your piggies' cage if you do decide to include a bowl, as this will provide them with an alternative water supply.

Leaking Water Bottle?

If your guinea pig's water bottle is leaking, don’t worry—it's a common issue and usually easy to fix. Here's a quick tip you can try out before chucking it out!

✅ Step-by-Step: How to Stop the Drips

  1. Fill the bottle completely to the top with fresh water, leaving little to no air.
  2. After securing the lid tightly, turn the bottle upright (spout down), then firmly press the metal ball at the tip a few times until the dripping slows or stops.
    👉 This creates a vacuum seal that helps prevent leaks.
  3. Make sure the bottle is hanging straight and not tilted—this can cause air to break the vacuum and lead to dripping.

If your bottle still leaks after this, try testing it outside the cage overnight on a paper towel to see how much water is lost. If it’s a faulty bottle, it might be time to replace it with a high-quality, leak-resistant option.

Low-quality bottles will often leak no matter what. If you’re constantly having issues, it might be time to upgrade.

HOW-TO VIDEO

Keeping Water Bottles Clean

Water bottles will get a bit mucky inside over time and should be cleaned regularly to avoid build up of algae.

Thankfully, there's an easy way to do this, using a simple household staple! Watch our quick video on how to keep your water bottles sparkling.