When we have a rabbit as a companion, we may have various doubts about its habits and about the basic care of rabbits. One of the most frequent doubts is regarding whether rabbits drink water, and above all, how much and how that consumption should be. For this reason, in this article on our site, we want to explain everything you need to know about hydration in rabbits, a really vital aspect for them, and clear up all doubts about whether rabbits drink water
How much water does a rabbit drink?
Indeed, rabbits drink water, specifically it is estimated that the daily water consumption of an adult rabbit is double what it ingests in solid foodThat is why hydration is something to which we must pay special attention, since a lack of hydration can have really serious consequences, such as thermal shock or kidney failure.
But, how much water should our rabbit consume to be he althy? Well, this will depend on several factors, one of the most relevant is the age of the rabbit, as well as its weight. In this way, it is estimated that a month and a half old rabbit, which weighs approximately, if we take into account a common rabbit, about 750 grams, consumes about 120 ml of water daily, while with a year and approximately 2, 5 kilograms of weight, consumption is about 400 ml daily
These intakes are for rabbits in good he alth and within their weight, however there are exceptions, such as the case of rabbits that are pregnantor have just given birth and are breastfeeding. In these rabbits, water consumption is up to 3 liters per day in the lactation period, increasing water consumption to almost 10 times normal consumption. To learn more about the gestation period, don't miss this article: "All about pregnancy in rabbits".
My rabbit does not drink water
Now that we know that rabbits drink water, let's see what happens if they don't drink the right amount. Thus, something that worries many caring for these small animals, and which is very important, is when the rabbit has stopped drinking water. This is noticeable if we see that the level of the drinker or bottle does not drop, indicating that our friend has not consumed the water inside.
This lack of hydration is very alarming, since it can indicate the presence of alterations such as oral problems, because if they have pain in the mouth or teeth, often stop consuming both food and water. It can also indicate high fever and intense discomfort, so if we detect that our rabbit does not drink water from the drinking fountain, or from anywhere, it is best to go urgently to the veterinary.
Another thing that may be happening is that our rabbit doesn't know how to drink from the container where it has water, this is common when you go from a bowl-type drinker to a bottle or vice versa. In these cases, the important thing is to get him to hydrate, being able to leave him his old drinker until we get him to learn to drink from the new one. It also happens, sometimes, that the rabbit does not want to drink because the water is not clean, because the rat is a very neat animal. In this case, it will be enough to renew it with fresh water so that it can drink normally again.
My rabbit drinks a lot of water
Sometimes we notice that our rabbit consumes more water than usual, this is normal if it's hot or if the rabbit has been playing and exercising. But if we see that the consumption is disproportionate, it may be advisable to go to a veterinary review, since it may indicate the presence of kidney problems
What water do I give my rabbit?
We already know that rabbits drink water every day and how much they need, but what water is the most suitable for them? We have a number of options, each having its own pros and cons. One of these options is to give them tap water. This option is suitable if water quality in our place of residence is good, without However, it is not recommended if the water is too alkaline or has high levels of chlorine or calcium. Another option is to give them bottled mineral water, for which we have to choose a water with weak mineralization, the inconvenience being the price involved in buying this type of water.
Other options are to give them deionized, filtered, or well water. The important thing is that the water is drinkable and above all that we think about whether we would consume it. If the answer is yes, it is most likely a good option for our rabbit as well.
Do country rabbits drink water?
Rabbits, whether domestic or wild, need water for their body to function and carry out vital functions. Rabbits drink water from rivers, puddles or ponds found in their habitat. In many cases, these water sources can be contaminated by various harmful substances and microorganisms, which cause diseases in these rabbits.
As a curious fact about wild rabbits, we can say that water is such a vital resource for them, that they need their burrows to be located not too far from a mass or stream of water to ensure their subsistence
