Not drinking water

[Kimberley D]

I’ve noticed my Bun hasn’t been drinking any water lately. She gets loads of fresh greens covered with water from rinsing. Would she be getting enough water from all the greens, is this why she’s not drinking? Her poo and wee is still completely normal and healthy and her behaviour hasn’t changed at all, she’s still super happy, constantly doing binkies and bunny 500s everywhere, although she has been a little more affectionate. Don’t know if that’s related at all. If she’s not getting enough water, how do I make her drink more?

[Bam]

I think it’s because of the wet greens. My bun barely touch his water in spring/summer when he get lots of freshly washed greens. I just exchange it every day, because there’s no noticeable consumption happening.

A bunny that eats only hay and pellets should drink about 100 ml per kg body weight (roughly 2 lb)/day. And when Bam eats mostly hay, he drinks that much, so it’s not like he avoids water.

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Hay tea can convince them to drink more, most buns love it. Dutch vets advice it to people whose rabbits drink too little because of illness. Here’s the recipe:

Put a handful of hay into a large mug, and pour boiling water onto it. Let it cool down to room temperature, then put the hay tea into their water crock or their bottle. Voila, tea time with your bun!

It smells sweet and has some sugars and minerals that buns love. It goes bad quickly, so don’t make more than you would use in a day.

[Kimberley D]

Ooh that’s a good idea. Could I do the same thing but with maybe her favourite herb? If sage is ever anywhere near she comes running. Would that be a good idea?

[Kimberley D]

Thanks Bam. That makes me less worried. Hopefully that is the case that she’s getting enough water from her greens but I’ll try getting her drinking a little more water just in case

[Bam]

Oh yes, try the hay tea! Ellie has inspired us all with that recipe!

Depending on what type of litter you use, you could try and make an estimate of urine-output. Do you have to change her litter less often now as compared to before, when she was drinking more water?

[Vienna Blue in France]

Do try hay tea. Neither of my two were impressed by the hay tea I lovingly made for them….. tit !!!

[Vienna Blue in France]

Ooooppss TUT was what I meant to say !!

[Kimberley D]

Oh I never though of that. Yeah her urine output has been the same, if not more, so I guess she must just be getting enough from her greens. Thanks Bam

[Author]

Messages