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Old 02-11-2016, 06:18 PM   #1
Lolo2902
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Default Hamster bowl or bottle?

Hey!
I've heard that water bowls serve more of a natural way for hamsters to drink. I currently have a water bottle, and it has stopped leaking for the most part.(yay!)I honestly just would just like your opinions on either to do bottle or bowl, and how to get my hamster used to the bowl if I do decide on the bowl.
Thanks!
Lolo
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Old 02-11-2016, 06:32 PM   #2
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Default Re: Hamster bowl or bottle?

I knew a woman that used a bird feeder waterer for her robo. She put it on a platform & used velcro to attach to a 40 gal tank.

I'd personally go with a bottle, easier that way, less things to worry about
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Old 02-11-2016, 10:05 PM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Hamster bowl or bottle?

Either is fine, the only real problem with bowls is finding a suitable one that's heavy enough to be stable & not too big so the ham can't get into it & keeping the water clear of substrate.
I've noticed that if you look at German set ups they mostly have bowls.
A ham should take to a bowl quite naturally but I would definitely provide both for a while if you switch & see how you ham gets on with it, bottles can be a pain sometimes but if your ham appears to prefer the bottle over the bowl I would stick with that.
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Old 02-12-2016, 01:42 AM   #4
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Default Re: Hamster bowl or bottle?

I used a bottle with Spike for ages and he hated it. Nothing wrong with the water bottles but just as a personal hammy thing he just doesn't like them. I switched to using a bird water gravity feeder which he loves but I'm not totally happy with it because it doesn't refill properly so the water evaporates quickly. I've now decided to go for a bowl instead but of course it's finding the right bowl - as Cypher said it has to be heavy enough and small enough that he can't either climb into the bowl or tip it over. One of the forum members here uses the 'Wonderland Dinner Table' from Zooplus - you can see it in her thread here. It seems to be a good way to make sure it doesn't get accidentlly tipped over so that's one of the things I'm currently looking at. Also looking at trying to find a bowl similar to this but in the UK: Rodipet Bowl.

Honestly though if it wasn't for my hamster's preferences I'd probably stick to a water bottle. It's overall less of a fuss but some people do prefer bowls due to them being a bit more natural for the hamster. So I agree with Cypher that trying both and seeing how your hamster gets on with them would be a good idea
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Old 02-12-2016, 02:13 AM   #5
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Default Re: Hamster bowl or bottle?

Both have their advantages and disadvantages to be honest and you need to find what works for you.

Bottles can usually be secured on the outside of a wire cage. This makes them easy to change. Also they
less likely to be knocked over and the water does not evaporate much from the bottle. But having said that they can be awkward to clean especially the nozzle and they are prone to bacterial build up and things like mildew if proper bottle maintenance is not executed.

Bowls are the most natural way that a hamster can drink and they are unlikely to sit in it more than once. You are less likely to find yourself cursing at tiny wires that sure bottles to cages. However they are prone to being tipped over and evaporation on a warm day can happen very quickly and so without regular checks the hamster could be left without a drink. In addition to that it would need to be well away from their substrate as the substrate can fill the water bowl in no time at all.

That all said you need to figure what works best for you and for your hamster.
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Old 02-12-2016, 03:53 PM   #6
herbi7
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Default Re: Hamster bowl or bottle?

Littlun had a bowl for a while when I separated the boys and he took to it well but I prefer bottles as even though he didn't tip it over he did kick bedding into it and I was always worried in case he dug underneath it. I wouldn't give Bailey a bowl as he turns all his substrate over nearly every night and makes tunnels, I think he would end up tipping it. If he had a stable shelf I might put it on that but he doesn't, just the roof of his house. I have two bottles in each cage just so I don't have to worry about one failing and I check them every day.
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Old 02-13-2016, 08:56 AM   #7
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Default Re: Hamster bowl or bottle?

All my four have bowls. Three set ups have platforms which helps and woodstock has a little wooden rack from zooplus with two ceramic bowls in which is brilliant.

Not had problems with substrate or spillage.
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Old 02-13-2016, 09:46 AM   #8
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Default Re: Hamster bowl or bottle?

Anyone tried one of these?
Exo Terra PT2806 Water Well Dispenser: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies
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Old 02-13-2016, 01:26 PM   #9
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Default Re: Hamster bowl or bottle?

I've been tempted. It's one of the reasons I'm currently using a parakeet sized bird water silo - same thing really just not in a nice heavy container. My worry with these is always spending that amount of money and it doesn't dispense the water very well, I've seen a lot of mixed reviews. I have seen them in some cages though.
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Old 02-13-2016, 02:32 PM   #10
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Default Re: Hamster bowl or bottle?

We need Serendipity to write one of her letters to a pet supplier suggesting a Hamster well.
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