More hay, More water? opinions please

[Jenalynn]

Hello Everyone,

Ever since I have let Buzz and Sweet Pea finally be together in each others cage’s Buzz has been drinking more water than usual.. He seems to be eating more Hay than he ever did before.. its not a whole lot but alot more than what he ususally eats – I never seen him eat his hay before I started bonding them together…now he seems to snack on it with SweetPea who is a hay maniac. He usually drinks 4-5 FL OZ daily on average and he seems to be drinking at least 8-9 Fl Oz daily now.. this has been going on since last Wednesday. I called the vet the very first day I noticed this and the receptionist said if he sstill eating, pooping, and acting normal that it doesn’t sound alarming.  Buzz definitely eats like a mad man and runs around with sweet pea here and there through out the day and still poops normally.

Then I read one place that if the hay intake increases that the water intake may increase too? I just wanted to hear your thoughts on this.

Buzz has an appt Feb 13 to get his other tooth extracted and I am not sure if i should just have them do an exam and blood test just to be sure he is okay…… please let me know your thoughts… does this sound pretty normal? should I spend the extra money for the exam? or does this sound unusual?

Thanks!!

[Elrohwen]

In general, an increase in insoluble fiber (like eating more hay) will cause an increase in drinking. Calling the vet for advice and keeping an eye on him are both good, but don’t worry too much as it’s pretty normal behavior (in all animals).

Since you’re going to the vet anyway, I don’t think an exam could hurt just to make sure he’s in good health in general.

[jerseygirl]

This happened with my pair. Jersey ate more hay once bonded. Intake of water also increased as it should. I had m concerns to and went thru with blood test but nothing showed for her. Which tooth is he having out? He might be soothing his tooth by drinking if it’s worrying him. However, if that were the case, he might be less inclined to eat hay so…

Hopefully this is just another positive outcome of being in a pair.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

It’s a great idea to do blood work before anestetic-if you can afford it-go for it

It’s not necessary(before surgery) and I don’t think the increase in hay and water is a result of an illness (Wherby you need to have the bloodwork done)-if it was just water increase or eating less-then maybe. But your right-more hay equals more thirst And more hay is a great thing. Maybe Buzz saw
Sweatpea eating hay and realized it was not just decoration but also deliscious EIther way more hay eating is great healthwise

So yeah if your going to do bloodwork go for it but I wouldn’t do it just because of the hay/water intake increase

[Jenalynn]

Thanks guys,

Well Buzz is an unlucky guy who was going to get dentals every 5-6 weeks because his teeth were growing all over the place… well they decided if they pulled 2 of the fastest teeth he may only need one or 2 dentals a year if that… so they already pulled 1 tooth 2-3 weeks ago, and they plan to pull this last one in a week or so, so I know he reacts okay to the anesthesia… butI am such a worry wort… I don’t want to get the blood work done because he seems okay…. but then again I keep thinking what if he does have something minor starting out… and I let get pass me…
It does suck that I have to pay $55 just for the likely possibility that the vet might say “oh he is fine”.. lol … if he doesn’t show any negatives signs before Feb 13th – perhaps I will go without the extra exam…

I will just keep an eye on him.
Thanks guys!

[Author]

Messages