Help! I\'m new to rabbit owning and my rabbit is a rex and still around 6 months. I\'ve noticed that when I fill up her water bottle in less then 9 hours it is completely empty. My friend has a rabbit and I\'ve spent much time with it before getting my own and I noticed that it doesn\'t drink as often. I\'m not sure if this is a sign of other illnesses or perhaps its just that my rabbit loves to drink more then others. I\'m just a little worried. . . .
Rabbits are individuals, so some will consume more water than others. What size water bottle are you using? I use 32 oz wide-mouthed bottles for all my rabbits - Satins and Mini Satins. If I didn\'t fill the bottles daily, an adult Satin would probably empty a bottle in 54-58 hours, but I fill them daily for GP. I live in northwest Oregon where the temps aren\'t that bad. If you live in a hot climate, water consumption will go up. Do you use salt spools for your rabbits? Consumption of extra salt will also increase water consumption. Salt spools are not necessary.
You might want to check to make sure the stem on the water bottle is not leaking. In many cases, bottles that go dry over night have a leak.
I have a feeling that your Rex is OK.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
Yea i figured each rabbit was different . . you know to each his own but I just wanted to make sure that the excessive water consumption wasn\'t some sort of sign to more serious things. I don\'t have a salt lick. . . I mean i was going to purchase one but then Ithought to myself that it would probably make the water consumption even more!! haha I\'m trying to feed her just a little more fresh greens so that perhaps she can get some water from that too!!
I was just worried being a first time rabbit owner and all. Not to mention she does this thing where she just plops down and lays all spread out.. . . sort of dead looking really. god forbid i say that. . . but it looks like she just likes to sleep like that!
Is the water bottle leaking? If you push the ball on the end it will suction the water so it doesn\'t drip.
Check his \'corner\' to see if he\'s peeing alot, too. Every rabbit is different but it is good being a new rabbit owner to take notice to something that you feel may be a concern or health threat to your rabbit.
Yeah I bet your water bottle is leaking and if its hot out they know to press their bodies against the spicket and get themselves wet! They are very smart- and some use it as a toy and press it for fun! I had 60 cages hooked up to an automatic watering systems and I would constantly see them do this- the mom\'s will get under it and let the babies on their backs to get to the water too!
We have 6 rabbits, 4 as breeders & two as pets, and they all go through water differently. New moms always up their water consumption starting right before they give birth. Our one main breeding buck plays with his. Thumper has actually broken two bottles playing with them and now they just drip constantly. Then there is our young buck Popcorn. He hasn\'t drained his water bottle in under 24 hours ever.