How much should my rabbit be drinking?

[sparrow]

My little dutch girl bunny, Maisy, has always drank a lot more water than her companion, Sherman, who is a bit bigger in size.  They share a 32 oz water bottle that I usually have to fill once or twice a day.  (There is another water bottle in their cage, but they don’t like that one and never use it.)  Last night, I filled the water bottle before going to bed at 11pm.  I could hear her drinking from it all night.  It’s possible Sherman was drinking from it too, but every time I woke up and looked, it was Maisy at the bottle.  By 5am, I could hear the little ball hitting the metal, indicating it was already empty.  I couldn’t believe it.  She just recently molted, and we had a fan on with the windows open last night, so it’s possible she was cold.  Other than that, though, she doesn’t show any signs of being ill.  She eats her hay like a little piggy and is full of spunk.  At dawn, she ran her usual morning laps around my room, like she always does.  I’m awaiting a call back from the vet to see if I can get her in for an appointment this week.  I leave for a weeklong trip 7 days from now, though, and don’t know how worried I should be.  My roommates will be caring for them while I’m gone. 

[Stickerbunny]

My rabbits drink the most at night and 32 oz between the two of them is entirely possible – but another thing you might want to check out is if the water bottle is leaking at all. If it is unusual for them to empty it over night though, a vet check up is a good idea. Especially if you’re going away.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

They drink more water when shedding I’ve found, and ounce for pound I believe they drink more than any domesticated pet. The only cause for concern is if it’s a change in behaviour and/or accompanied by soiling themselves (dirty bum) then it could be a UTI. Ditto the vet check, they should have an annual exam anyways so this could count and you’d be off the hook until next fall
Welcome by the way!

[Author]

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