Bunny's & Water?

[Cookiebaker]

I filled Willow's water bottle with fresh water this morning at 7 a.m. I was curious to know how much he drank in a day, so I measured exactly 24 oz. It is now 6:45 p.m. and he hasn't drunk ANYTHING! The water line hasn't moved and I'm wondering if this is a cause for concern?

He also didn't poop/pee at all, until after I came home from work. Then it was WATCH OUT! all over the place. Is this something I should be concerned about too?

Help!! This is all so new!

[wolfsoul]

Does he know how to use the water bottle? My RB gerbil Icarus I didn't know how, so I had to pick her up and poke her nose on the ball lol

Maybe he's just excited to see you? Or do you feed him when you get home? I know that humans usually take about 3 hours to a day to digest food, but I'm not sure how long it takes for a bunny?

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm just bumpin' the thread back up

Good luck!

[Karen]

Miss Hoppy rarely drinks from her water bottle - only does when it's really hot out. Otherwise, I guess she gets all her moisture from the greens she eats.

[Karen]

Originally posted by Cookiebaker

He also didn't poop/pee at all, until after I came home from work. Then it was WATCH OUT! all over the place. Is this something I should be concerned about too?

Nope. Bunnies are "crepuscular," meaning they are active in the morning and in the late afternoon/evening. So he was probably asleep most of the time you were gone.

[zippy-kat]

To get Soph to accustomed to using a water bottle, I had to smear a little bit of banana on the end.

Piper, *USE* to be great with his water bottle and then he flat out refused it--he'd wait till his nightly romp and then drink from K'Cee's bowl. I bought a bowl that hangs on the cage and he LOVES it. (I still keep a water bottle in his cage just incase the bowl should spill.)

Bunnies are not nocturnal. I can't remember the correct word but they are most active in early morning and early to late evening. Watch his habits and see if he fits the pattern. I know Piper eats/drinks the most during these times.

You might try Willow with a bowl and see if he likes that better. And for peace of mind you can always do the "hydration" check. (Pinch/pull up some skin -- if it snaps back, he's fine!)

[zippy-kat]

Originally posted by Karen
Nope. Bunnies are "crepuscular," meaning they are active in the morning and in the late afternoon/evening. So he was probably asleep most of the time you were gone.

ah-ha! that's the word!

Karen has some fast fingers -- beat me to it!

[Paul]

   Although, she always has water available, I have only seen Miss Hoppy only use her water bottle when it's above 85°.

      Paul

[Cookiebaker]

Thanks very much for the replies...and peace of mind that comes with it!! I know that Saturday night, he drank quite a bit so it's not an issue of him not knowing how to drink. I have given him quite a bit of lettuce and carrots and that is probably sufficient. Our kitchen is quite cool as well.

I've never even heard of the word "crepuscular"...I'm glad to know it now.

On a side note: I introduced parsley last night, to which he most assuredly wriggled up his nose in disgust! I will keep offering it though, and maybe one of these days he will decide to nibble it and just maybe even enjoy it.

[zippy-kat]

Originally posted by Cookiebaker
On a side note: I introduced parsley last night, to which he most assuredly wriggled up his nose in disgust!

Are you sure that's a bunny ya got there?! lol

Miz Sophie would've love to room with Willow at feeding time... twice the amount of parsley for her! lol

Actually, Piper's not a parsley junkie either. He hasta be "in the mood." He LOVES cilantro though!

[Daisylover]

Yep...most bunnies get their water from the fresh veggies they eat...so everyone who replied to Cookiebaker's post gets an A!!!! Robbie is my only bunny that drinks from a bowl or, better yet, water bottle......which does not make for peaceful sleeping to hear that snick-snick-snick at 3a.m..... So as long as Willow eats a lot of veggies she should be fine.

What I really wanted to comment on though was the parsley.... I have found that buns can be stubborn when you introduce a new food to their diet....they may not touch the new item for several days and then decide it's terrific. Anyway with Robbie it took him over one year before he would consent to eat any kind of hay at all....now it's the first thing he goes for.... So persistent is the key. This is also why all rabbit experts advise you never to dramatically change a rabbit's diet in one day, the change needs to be gradual... remember the bunny's gut has to move constantly and the only way that happens is if the bunny eats.

Here endth today's lesson, LOL!!!