Water Bottle Vs Bowl of Water

KawaiiRodents · 08-07-2011, 04:41 PM

What one is better

i got a hamster today and the pet store was bowls of water and he was drinking out of the Bowl? but his cage i have has a bottle should i put a bowl of water in? or will it be fine

**Ham Ham Hamstery** · 08-07-2011, 04:42 PM

Bottle way better

Gizmodo ^_^ · 08-07-2011, 04:42 PM

Water bottle definately, they are just more practical
Bowl's of water could have substrate and nesting kicked in, food dropped in the bowl xD

amyXlovesXhamstersX · 08-07-2011, 04:44 PM

I would use a water bottle. Ruby had a bowl of water in the pet shop but she uses a bottle fine now.

**LocoRocoPanda** · 08-07-2011, 04:45 PM

I'm so opposite. I use bowls!!! Izu has actually learnt if he kicks substrate into it, all the water will go. He doesn't like water going, so he doesn't kick it in there anymore. Tobi has yet to learn that lesson but I'm patient enough to wait for her to figure it out, even if it means cleaning it and filling it up three or four times a day.

**Ham Ham Hamstery** · 08-07-2011, 04:45 PM

Bowls are also unsanitary if not cleaned

Gizmodo ^_^ · 08-07-2011, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LocoRocoPanda

I'm so opposite. I use bowls!!! Izu has actually learnt if he kicks substrate into it, all the water will go. He doesn't like water going, so he doesn't kick it in there anymore. Tobi has yet to learn that lesson but I'm patient enough to wait for her to figure it out, even if it means cleaning it and filling it up three or four times a day.

Seeee i really wouldn't have the patience for that

Sometimes even getting the wire off the bottle frustrates me

Gamina · 08-07-2011, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizmodo ^_^

Sometimes even getting the wire off the bottle frustrates me

Lol I am glad I am not the only one... Its the one daily job that I look at and groan

KawaiiRodents · 08-07-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizmodo ^_^

Sometimes even getting the wire off the bottle frustrates me

Haha Me too!!! its the worst!

**Pompompoms** · 08-07-2011, 05:55 PM

I use bowls for all my guys, and have done since I had a bottle malfunction when Jam was ill and he didn't get a drink all night. I don't know what happened to it, I always checked all my bottles when I changed them, but something happened and he was left without what he needed.

I'm happier with them not only because they won't break (non of my guys have ever knocked theirs over either and I've been using them for over two years now) but as hams get older it is much easier for them too as when they weaken they don't have to put any effort into drinking. Seeing Jam and The Cloud toward the end they'd never have had the strength for bottles and changing could have been a stress for them.

I clean my bowls as I cleaned my bottles so no difference there. I wouldn't actually say either is better, it's an individual choice as to what is best for your hamsters.

ETA The only time I do not use bowls is when the babies are very tiny as there is obviously a risk of drowning. As soon as the babies are big enough they switch to bowls. Daisy changed to a bottle today as she is in her maternity home and the babies could come at any time. Lilly's babies went on to a bowl today and are so excited they keep cheeping away at it just like their dad does when he gets new things!