Water bowl for new baby hamster?

[RubyDG]

Long story short I'm getting a new hamster Friday and sorting out my bits and pieces. My previous hamster Spike hated bottles and I happily used water bowls for him. I would prefer to continue to use a bowl.

My very quick question is do you think a baby hamster coming from a shop will have any issues figuring out a water bowl? My gut is no as it's an instinct thing but my paranoia is worried he'll have issues

[Drago]

I personally don't think he'll have an issue animals are intelligent when it comes to sensing the things they need, and if your ham is thirsty, they'll find the bowl! Baby hamsters love to explore so chances are he'll find out via a wet paw! If you're super worried, a small cube of cucumber in a treat dish will work perfectly to put your mind at ease

[Cinnamon Bear]

I think the hamsters can drink from bowl or bottle, at least my Syrian does. I don't know about a baby? If you wish to use a bowl, try a shallow small bowl and see if he/she takes to it or not?

[cypher]

I always give my new hams both a bowl & a bottle usually within a day or two if not straight away they're using the bowl & ignoring the bottle.

[Pebbles82]

How about this one? It's quite shallow but wide - reviewer says it's nice and stable - comes in pink, blue or brown If they have bowls at Pets at Home they will be used to a bowl, but if they have bottles there maybe put both in and see.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ceramic-Foo...ter+water+bowl

I always worried too much about bowls getting spilled or contaminated with food or bedding but I guess if it's on a shelf and not easy to knock over (or push off!) it should be ok and you are used to using them too so I'm sure you'd know what to do. I'd probably put both in as well

[RubyDG]

Thanks everyone . I think I'm going to go ahead and put both in. I was debating the point of buying a stand if I want to stick to using bowls but then I remembered that you can make a stand out of an empty 500ml cooldrink bottle - I did that when I first got Spike when he was in his temporary bin cage and it worked well enough. I still have one of those classic mini water bottles from before as well so that sorts it. Gosh I'm far too nervous

[flowerfairy]

All mine have bowls and have never had any problems as babies or adults. They keep them nice and clean, even Arun who has his on the ground (all the others are on shelves).