How to Clean a Guinea Pig Water Bottle

Guinea pigs are pretty lovable animals; however, they need extra care to stay healthy. One thing that can help keep those gorgeous creatures healthy is providing plenty of water in a clean guinea pig water bottle. Knowing how to clean a guinea pig water bottle can help make the process straightforward to carry out.

In this article, we will break down all you need to know on how to clean your guinea pig’s water bottle.

How to Clean a Guinea Pig Water Bottle

Like in any household out there, there are chores to be done and appliances to be serviced or cleaned. One of the items which ought to be cleaned but is usually overlooked is your guinea pig’s water bottle. There comes a time whereby you need to thoroughly clean guinea pigs’ water bottles, just like your eating plates.

Items you may need if you want to do a thorough cleaning are:

• A handful of vinegar
• A small soft brush with firm bristles
• Clean, warm water
• Rice
• Salt
• Q-tip

Cleaning Your Guinea Pig’s Water Bottle With Warm Water

Cleaning with warm water is pretty easy and can be done at least twice a week if followed by deep cleaning periodically. All you need is some water at a temperature comfortable to your skin’s touch and these simple steps:

1. Pop the bottle open
2. Half fill it with warm water
3. Replace the cap
4. Shake vigorously
5. Empty the bottle of the warm water
6. Rinse with some cold water
7. Leave to dry

You may have to repetitively add and shake warm water in your guinea pig bottle if there are smudges or dirt left in the bottle after the first wash. This cleaning method is bound to compliment an owner who frequently refills their guinea pig’s water bottle. You may follow up with deep cleaning weekly or every other day.

Cleaning Your Guinea Pig’s Water Bottle With Rice

You may already have experienced how hard it is to clean some guinea pig water bottles because of the small size of the bottle’s mouth. Rice will come in handy as a decent cleaning agent. It’s quick and straightforward to carry out, just:

1. Put a handful of rice in the bottle
2. Add some warm water
3. Give the bottle a decent shake
4. Pour out the rice grains and rinse properly

Rice grains are abrasive and help scrub off any gunk that may be stuck in the hard-to-reach areas of the bottle. Watch out not to leave any grains in the nozzle of the bottle. The grains may obstruct the bottle’s mouth and make your guinea pig unable to suck water out of the bottle.

Using Salt

Salt is a good alternative for rice grains. Consider using coarse salt instead of table salt since the course grain will offer more abrasiveness. You may clean the bottle with the same procedure as you would when using rice.

Cleaning Mold Out of Your Guinea Pig’s Water Bottle

It does not make a good scenario when you see mold in a guinea pig’s bottle after a good cleaning. Molds in large quantities can risk your guinea pig’s life by causing respiratory infections and damage to internal organs like the kidney and liver.

One of the cleaning solutions that can rid molds is a vinegar and water solution. Halfway fill the guinea’s bottle with four spoons of vinegar and some water. Shake the mixture for a minute or so that the mixture penetrates every corner of the guinea pig bottle.

You can take some time to let the vinegar mix soak in the bottle so that the cleaning could be sufficient. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and cold water to remove the vinegar smell that may linger in the bottle. You don’t want to serve your guinea pigs water in a bottle with a repulsive vinegar smell.

Cleaning Your Guinea Pig’s Water Bottle With a Bottle Brush

Nowadays, cleaning brushes come in all sizes and shapes. Most people have a set of brushes in their kitchen to clean kettle spouts and bottles. You may be able to find small-sized brushes that you can use to clean your guinea’s water bottle.

They come in handy as a quick fix since they are efficient and so simple to use.

Using a Q-Tip

A q-tip will help you reach the hard-to-reach areas of the spout of the bottle. Guinea pigs have a habit of backwashing while they are drinking out of their bottles. Backwashing is when water with saliva and food particles gets sucked back into the bottle while the piggie is drinking water.

The food particles can get stuck in the ball mechanism around the water bottle’s mouth and cause blockage. You can use the q-tip to clean out the small food bits like blackberries and raspberries, and other particles from the bottle nozzle to ensure water can flow easily for your guinea pig’s hydration.

Preventing Mold and Algae From Coming Back

If you neglect cleaning your guinea pig’s water bottle for a long time, you may notice greenish gunk in it. Molds and algae are a sign you are neglecting cleaning your guinea’s water bottle. Luckily, there is a solution to eliminate these growing organisms and ensure that they do not come back.

You will need vinegar and hot water. Be careful for the water not to be too hot enough to burn the plastic bottle. Here is how you can use this cleaning solution to eliminate mold and algae:

• Put half in half ratio of hot water and vinegar in the bottle
• Close up the bottle and shake
• Allow for the solution to sit and soak for 15 minutes
• Pour out the solution and clean a second time
• Rinse away until you are satisfied with the bottle’s smell

Algae and bacteria thrive in guinea pigs’ water bottles when sun rays directly hit the bottle for long periods. Algae tend to creep back and grow, sometimes even after a proper wash. You may try to control this by keeping the guinea pig’s water bottle away from direct sunlight.

Conclusion

Remember to check out for any blockage that would hinder your guinea pig from getting its required hydration. If the bottle stops working, replace it with a new one. Show affection and take proper care of your guinea!