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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Water Bottle woes

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    • scxl
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        Hi! 

        On Thursday, I adopted a beautiful rabbit from my local SPCA. He’s a two year old dwarf and has an amazing personality and seems great with everyone petting him. Now, this is the first pet I have soul ownership for and I am very nervous about what to do and if I’m actually doing it the correct way.

        After I set the cage up and put him inside, he hopped over to the food and water bowl and ate/drink from it then he tipped it over. Okay, so I went back to the pet store and bought a water bottle and a crock for the food and water. The crock seems to be too high up so tipped over food I can manage. My only problem is right now is that he won’t drink from the water bottle! He knows the concept of using it and he’s done it a couple times but he seems to pretty much ignore it! So what can I do…?

        Sorry if I seem a bit frantic but I’m just kinda nervous of doing anything wrong to hurt my little guy.

         

        tl;dr: my rabbit won’t drink out of the water bottle but tips over his water bowl… what do I do?


      • Emmie
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        461 posts Send Private Message

          I had a hamster once that didn’t know how to use the water bottle. He eventually learned!

          Why was the water bowl being knocked over? Are you able to put a solid, heavy bowl in an area of his cage that won’t be in his way? Zelda used drink from a water bottle, but it kept getting stuck and leaking, so I have a small plastic bowl in a corner she won’t knock over.

          What has the rabbit been doing to the water bottle in general?

          And congrats on the new bunny! I’m a new owner myself, I’ve had Zelda for 5days now. Its scary at times but the guys on the forum here have been invaluable to me.


        • LizzieKnittyBun
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          2147 posts Send Private Message

            I suggest a really heavy ceramic bowl, one that’s too thick and solid to move.

            Congratulations = D


          • scxl
            Participant
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              I find he likes to try and rearrange his cage to the best of his ability and I was pretty much using a porcelain bowl, very light weight and easy to tip over.

              I think what I’ll do is when I figure out what corner he pees in and keeps to it~ I’ll poke holes in the plastic of the cage and just mount the crocks there so it’s not high up and easily accessible for use of both his food and water? Is that okay? lol


            • BinkyBunny
              Moderator
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                I do prefer crocks but sometimes they aren’t practical for all situations. Sometimes in cages — don’t know how big yours is, crocks can get messy. Hay and food and hair can get in them. I’m not sure if I fully understood your solution, but if it works that’s great.
                If you find that it still is challenging using even a heavy crock, then the way you can get your bunny to drink water from a water bottle is to smear something that he may like on the tip. Like, my bunnies like bananas, and so if I were going to use a water bottle, I would smear just a little bit of banana on the tip.

                You do want to be careful with too many treats/sugary fruit especially since he has just recently transitioned from the shelter to your home. But if you just smear a tiny tiny amount, it will be enough for him to smell it and lick on it.

                Congratulations on your new bunny!  He’s adorable! Cute black bunny with a little white nose.  CUTE!!


              • scxl
                Participant
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                  So far, I haven’t gave him any surgery treats beyond a few baby carrots and little pieces of celery each day when I get home from work so he knows I haven’t left or forgot about him <3 I found some heavy bows and they seem to do the trick! I woke up and there was no water on the cage floor! I'm so proud of him!


                • Emmie
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                  461 posts Send Private Message

                    Excellent! Sounds like your bunny was just anxious, being in a new home and all that.


                  • Bumblebunny
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                      I remember looking through rabbit supply catalogs on the internet. There was a company that sold ceramic crocks and crock holders so they could be attached to the cage/condo. Unfortunately I don’t remember the name of the company; I think it located in southern Calif. If he keeps up moving it or spilling that might help.


                    • scxl
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                        I found a really heavy bowl in my cupboard and he dosen’t try to tip that over (:


                      • BinkyBunny
                        Moderator
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                          Good! Sounds like you found a winner.


                        • Misskaruhl
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                            My bunnies won’t use the water bottle either. Just get them ceramic bowls.

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                        Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Water Bottle woes