Can Hamsters Drink From a Bowl? Water Bowl vs Water Bottle

Are you interested in one of the simplest ways to offer water in your hamster? The selection between utilizing a water bowl or a water bottle is in the end as much as you, as each choices are secure when used appropriately and have their very own distinctive benefits and drawbacks.

Let’s undergo the professionals and cons of every possibility so you will discover the best alternative for you and your hamster.

Water Bottle vs. Water Bowl for Hamsters 

Water Bottles

Execs

• Water can’t get contaminated with bedding or filth.
• Can’t be tipped over by your pet.

Cons

• Can simply malfunction and cease releasing water, begin dripping, or empty the whole water within the cage.
• Must be repeatedly checked to see if it’s working to stop dehydration.
• It releases water one drop at a time, and this sluggish and obstructed water stream might be irritating in your hamster.
• Requires your hamster to drink at an ungainly angle. If the spout is positioned too excessive or too low, it may be arduous for the hamster to drink from it.
• Hamsters could chew on the spout, which might harm their tooth.
• More durable to scrub than a bowl as a result of you must take it aside every time. A small opening additionally makes it troublesome to succeed in each a part of the bottle.
• It might simply begin rising algae or micro organism if it’s not cleaned usually sufficient, particularly within the nozzle, which is the proper breeding floor for micro organism resulting from its darkish and moist circumstances.
• Some hamsters can have a tough time understanding how you can drink from a water bottle, and a few would possibly by no means get the dangle of it.
• As a result of substantial quantity of water a bottle can maintain, some homeowners won’t substitute the water usually sufficient.
• Hamsters might be noisy when utilizing a bottle which is likely to be a difficulty through the night time in case your hamster’s cage is in your bed room.
• In case you’re utilizing a plastic bottle, your hamster would possibly chew by it.

You must repeatedly examine the water bottle to see if it’s working correctly. Not with the ability to entry water for under a day or two can hurt your pet’s well being.

In case your hamster is chewing on the plastic bottle, go for one manufactured from glass or metallic – or change to utilizing a bowl.

Water Bowls

Execs

• It permits your pet to drink in a pure place, like consuming from a puddle within the wild.
• A lot simpler to scrub and refill since you don’t need to disassemble it to scrub it.
• No threat of your pet chewing by it (should you’re utilizing a glass or ceramic bowl).

Cons

• Can simply get contaminated with filth, so that you might need to alter the water extra usually – relying on how messy your hamster is.
• Might be tipped over if the bowl shouldn’t be manufactured from heavy-enough materials.
• Some hamsters insist on sitting of their water bowl. Whereas that may be very cute to see, it makes a multitude and it will possibly strip pure oils out of your pet’s pores and skin.

What’s Higher to Use – a Water Bowl or a Water Bottle?

Whereas water bottles was once the usual amongst hamster homeowners, increasingly folks within the hamster-keeping group are leaning in direction of utilizing bowls in recent times due to the talked about benefits.

What’s the most suitable choice for you relies upon largely in your hamster. I counsel making an attempt out a water bowl first. In case your hamster is doing nicely with it, with out frequently tipping it over or getting filth in it, you’ll be able to proceed utilizing a bowl because it gives a extra pure approach to drink in your hamster.

Total, I choose bowls and really feel they supply a greater ratio of execs vs. cons. Nonetheless, every hamster and hamster proprietor has a novel scenario and totally different preferences that may have an effect on their alternative.

How you can Use a Water Bowl for Your Hamster

When utilizing a water bowl, it’s necessary to think about its measurement, materials, and site in your hamster’s security and well-being.

What Type of Water Bowl to Use?

A small, sturdy bowl that’s troublesome to tip over, similar to one manufactured from ceramic or glass, is a superb alternative. A 3-inch diameter bowl or smaller is an efficient measurement for hamsters. Guarantee it’s shallow sufficient so your hamster can simply drink from it with out straining and has no sharp edges the place they will get injured.

Glass tea mild holders are a preferred possibility and work completely. Different good choices are small rock bowls for hermit crabs, small ceramic bowls designed for small pets, remekin, or sauce bowls.

The place to Put the Bowl?

To make sure the water stays clear so long as attainable, place the bowl in a spot that’s much less more likely to get soiled, similar to on high of a wood home or a raised platform. Ideally, have a ramp or a bridge to entry that space, so much less bedding leads to the water.

In case your hamster walks by or sits of their water dish, you’ll be able to place a small rock or pebbles in the midst of the bowl to discourage them from entering into. Putting a rock in a bowl can also be a great way to stop it from being tipped over, as it can make it heavier.

How About Providing Each Choices?

It’s a good suggestion to supply each a bottle and a bowl and see what your hamster prefers.

Some hamsters choose utilizing a water bowl, whereas others ignore it and solely use a bottle when each choices are supplied. Some use each choices interchangeably. As with people, every hamster has their very own preferences.

Having each choices is a brilliant alternative should you’re not good at remembering to repeatedly examine the bottle to verify it’s working correctly. Additionally, should you’re going away for a brief 2-day journey, this may guarantee your hamster all the time has water available.

FAQs