Tap Water or Filtered?

nickoh · 05-09-2015, 11:54 PM

Which is better for hamsters to drink?

Tap has chemicals, but has more minerals. Bottled water is more sterile, but has no minerals. Does it really matter?

And since we're on the topic, how do you feel about putting Vitadrops into your hammy's water?

Teddy001 · 05-10-2015, 12:41 AM

As long as the water is " safe" for humans to drink, I don't think it really matters.
I elected to give my hamsters, bottled water. That's what I drink, and my pets get the same

.

racinghamster · 05-10-2015, 12:53 AM

Tap water is fine, but try and find out if you live in a hard water area or a soft water area. Hard water can cause limescale build up. But tap water goes through a lot of processes to make it safe, even though it contains chlorine. Being in Scotland, we have soft water.

Bottled water I`ve never used, but I would make sure it was still water with nothing added. And no, I wouldn't add vitadrops to the water. It can make the water taste funny and the hamster won`t drink it. It`s not necessary if the hamster had a good, varied diet. x

nickoh · 05-10-2015, 01:43 AM

I'll switch to bottled water than.

I was mainly concerned about giving him all the minerals he needs. So would mineral chews be a good thing for them?

My hammy is fed Vitasmart Complete Nutrition, and one fresh veg or fruit everyday. I opt to not feed him treats and just stick to his favorite fruits as rewards. Is this enough?

cypher · 05-10-2015, 01:57 AM

Bottled water can have quite a high mineral content, it usually says on the bottle.
If you have hard tap water it can be quite high in calcium but that shouldn't really be enough to worry about unless you had a ham with kidney problems or something like that.
Given the tiny amount they drink most tap water is fine.
I use a water filter so mine get filtered water same as I do!
I wouldn't give vitamin drops to a healthy ham, if you're using a good hamster mix & fresh veg your ham will have all the vitamins it needs & you can have too much of a good thing!

nickoh · 05-10-2015, 02:43 AM

Okay thank you so much! I was under the impression they just peed out the extra minerals they didn't need. I don't know where, but I read it somewhere. I'll continue with the fresh veg and fruits too.
I'm probably just being worry wart!

Teddy001 · 05-10-2015, 02:53 AM

I was worried, about the tap water, as well.. In my area, there's "hard water" which I won't drink, but do use it as long as it's boiled first. I give my hams mineral chews, which they do chew occasionally, but, not much. I don't think it will hurt to offer mineral chews. My hamster's are fed, a mix of hamster mix food, and fresh veggies & protein foods, and Syrian's get a tiny piece of fresh fruit a few days per week.

I just noticed you are in California.. When I lived in Calif., the tap water was "hard water." Not sure if it's the same where you are? I lived in the high desert. (Victorville, Ca.)

barley · 05-10-2015, 03:46 AM

It would never have occured to me to give Rupert anything other than tap water!

I use a Brita filter jug for my drinking water as I don't like the taste straight from the tap but I have no idea whether the water in my area is hard or soft. Rupert is a good drinker so I think I'll carry on with the tap water for him

racinghamster · 05-10-2015, 03:51 AM

A water companies website might have a regional map saying whether you are in a hard or soft water area, or you could ring them on their free phone number to ask. Tap water is on the whole safe. Even though it goes through a number of chemical processes to make it safe to consume. x

nickoh · 05-10-2015, 04:25 AM

For those of you wondering I found out I have hard water. So it's probably best to avoid it. I remember the 1st day I got him I was confused so I just did half and half lol!

@teddy001 I live in the outskirts of LA around Long Beach