Water

[Val]

My latest chinchilla has a very good appetite but won't drink much water. I have tried bottled water but not interested. Only likes water with a dash of pineapple or prune juice, even then I have to give some by syringe. Vet says he's not dehydrated but his droppings are far too small. Can anyone help?

 

[Pepperpot]

It may just be that your chin simply does not consume large amounts of water. I have a small herd of chins and each one's individual water consumption varies. Chins consume most of their daily water intake during the night. I would cease using the juice that you are adding to your chin's water as the sugar content will do no favours. A healthy chinchilla will not refuse to drink

 

[Val]

Thanks for your reply and advice. I will stop the added juice, I've had tooth problems with chins in the past. It's just worrying in the morning when his bottle is still full. And energy levels decrease when I don't give him a help with syringe.

 

[Pepperpot]

It is fine to syringe him water with nothing added, but be extremely careful he doesn't inhale any as this can result in pneumonia. Have you checked that his bottle is in full working order, or could there be any other reason why he doesn't drink much?

 

[Val]

Thanks again, will heed your caution. He has two bottles, both relatively new and both working fine. Just cant understand his reluctance to drink.

 

[Pepperpot]

Does your chin have any known health issues?

 

[Val]

Not that I know of. The person I got him from bought him in a pet shop, had him for a year and a half with no problems at all. I've had him two months, my vet said over a week ago she didnt think it was time for blood tests yet. I've had chins for 25 years and never had this problem!

 

[Pepperpot]

Persevere with trying to force him to drink from his bottle in that case. Don't add anything to the water and give it at least a couple of weeks. Only intervene with syringing water if you fear dehydration.

 

[Val]

Thanks very much for your advice. Will try that.

 

[Rocknrolldoc]

I have one that prefers to drink water from a dish. We still keep a water bottle in her house, in case the dish gets knocked over. It needs cleaning and refilling at least daily as it gets dust and hay in it easily. She's housed by herself so if yours is housed with another, not sure if the water dish would work out? Another trick I have up my sleeve, when poops are smaller than usual, I give mine some Starkey water. It comes in a glass bottle and typically found at Whole Foods Market. Because this water is a little higher in magnesium, its helps to promote bowel movement. I have never had a chin get gas or bloating from this water, only success when poops seem too small and hard.

 

[Val]

Thanks for your info. I have a wee bowl for water which clips on the side of the cage but he's not interested in that either. To try to get bigger poops I've been giving him recovery food diluted with water by syringe. He takes that but not water by itself! Ive just bought a new water bottle with a valve rather than a roller ball. Just fitted it now so will see if it makes any difference.

 

[Val]

Stil got the lack of drinking problem. Took him to the vet, they said to give him access to only water for a day but despite having a choice of two bottles and a bowl he didn't have any. Vet said to bring him back, they anaesthetised him, took X-rays, did PCV test but said everything was fine, even had very good teeth. So back to giving him a help with syringe feed, I have to report back to vet tomorrow. It's a mystery, as otherwise he's eating well and is a bundle of ,energy.

 

[tunes]

I didn't read through everything, but have you tried different types of water bottles? Mine are not fans of the ball type nozzles. They like the glass tubes from Ryerson's.

 

[Unicorn777111]

Stil got the lack of drinking problem. Took him to the vet, they said to give him access to only water for a day but despite having a choice of two bottles and a bowl he didn't have any. Vet said to bring him back, they anaesthetised him, took X-rays, did PCV test but said everything was fine, even had very good teeth. So back to giving him a help with syringe feed, I have to report back to vet tomorrow. It's a mystery, as otherwise he's eating well and is a bundle of ,energy.

How does his poop look? Is he urinating at all? Ears warm and pinkish?

 

[Val]

His poops are smaller than they should be, he is urinating but not much. His ears are fine.

 

[Val]

I didn't read through everything, but have you tried different types of water bottles? Mine are not fans of the ball type nozzles. They like the glass tubes from Ryerson's.
Sorry I missed your post. I have tried one with a valve rather than the ball type nozzle, still not interested. Do the Ryersons ones actually have a glass drinking tube??

 

[Val]

Sorry think I posted reply in wrong place. I have tried one with a valve rather than the ball type nozzle, still not interested. Do the Ryersons ones actually have a glass drinking tube??

 

[romas_spoiledpets]

I'm so sorry to hear about your Chinchilla How is he/she since your last post?
I personally never had this problem so this post will be a learning experience for me. What kind of water are you giving him/her? Is it tap water or filtered water? Maybe they don't like the type of water you're giving or perhaps try rinsing out the bottle. Maybe there's something in the bottle that changes the taste of the water?

 

[Val]

Hi thanks for post. He's eating well and in good health but still won't drink unless I give him syringes of water with a touch of pineapple or prune juice in it. He's had a choice of several bottles, all well rinsed, and a bowl but not interested. Have tried tap, filtered and bottled water. My vet contacting Dick Vet small animal hospital for advice but not heard anything back yet.

 

[Pepperpot]

You need to stop using the pineapple and prune juice. The sugar content in both is extremely high. Syringing him normal water with nothing at all added will suffice.