New water bottle

[Melissa]

We had a small water bottle for our bunny, but it was cheap and would always leak and move around, leaving most of the water in the bottom of her cage. We put a bowl underneath to help catch water so she would still have access to water after it leaked. However, now we bought a bigger, no drip water bottle. Since we’ve put it in the cage however, she doesn’t seem to be getting any water from it? She tries to drink from it, but then starts licking the bowl which has no water in it, but it’s making me think she’s not getting water from the bottle? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to tell or am I just being paranoid?

[Wick & Fable]

Most people will advise against a water bottle in general. There are many instances where, even in good quality bottles, air gets caught in both single and double ball tubes, and this prevents water getting through. A larger water bottle could perpetuate that problem, as the ball bearing needs to be pushed by the tongue further to enact water flow.

I’d suggest two water bowls instead.

If your rabbit isn’t getting water out of a bottle, it won’t know to keep trying, so it’ll just get dehydrated instead.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[sarahthegemini]

Sounds like she (like most rabbits) prefers a bowl.

[joea64]

I thought of getting a water bottle myself, but was advised against it too. Panda and Fernando have a large (4 cups capacity) heavy crockery water dish which seems to suit them well. However, I’m not sure what to do about water for their carrier.

[Melissa]

I know she has no problem with a bottle, because she was drinking from the previous one. She also has been trying to get water out of this one. We’ve left the old one in the cage for now because we don’t want her to go thirsty, but we’d prefer to switch her to the new one. I just think she doesn’t know how to push the ball with her tongue, the old bottle didn’t have a ball. Is it possible to try to teach her or is it a lost cause?

[Wick & Fable]

You can try and teach it to her and have her pick it up as it’s definitely possible, but in the end, I think especially since she wasn’t used to one with a ball in the first place, it’d be best to use a bowl.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Melissa]

Thanks for all the replies

I know it’s been a while, but I figured I’d update. I figured the larger bottle being the problem made sense, as she’s a Netherland Dwarf and therefore very small and the ball bearing may have just been too hard for her to push. We found a medium sized bottle that has a stick-like bearing instead of the ball. We provided her with the old bottle as she got used to the new one and finally she has been preferring the new bottle! We are so glad because the old bottle would just make her cage a wet mess, and this one does not leak at all. I’m not sure what did the trick but she seems quite content now.
Thanks again

[Melissa]

Thanks for all the replies

I know it’s been a while, but I figured I’d update. I figured the larger bottle being the problem made sense, as she’s a Netherland Dwarf and therefore very small and the ball bearing may have just been too hard for her to push. We found a medium sized bottle that has a stick-like bearing instead of the ball. We provided her with the old bottle as she got used to the new one and finally she has been preferring the new bottle! We are so glad because the old bottle would just make her cage a wet mess, and this one does not leak at all. I’m not sure what did the trick but she seems quite content now.
Thanks again

[Melissa]

Thanks for all the replies

I know it’s been a while, but I figured I’d update. I figured the larger bottle being the problem made sense, as she’s a Netherland Dwarf and therefore very small and the ball bearing may have just been too hard for her to push. We found a medium sized bottle that has a stick-like bearing instead of the ball. We provided her with the old bottle as she got used to the new one and finally she has been preferring the new bottle! We are so glad because the old bottle would just make her cage a wet mess, and this one does not leak at all. I’m not sure what did the trick but she seems quite content now.
Thanks again

[Melissa]

Thanks for all the replies

I know it’s been a while, but I figured I’d update. I figured the larger bottle being the problem made sense, as she’s a Netherland Dwarf and therefore very small and the ball bearing may have just been too hard for her to push. We found a medium sized bottle that has a stick-like bearing instead of the ball. We provided her with the old bottle as she got used to the new one and finally she has been preferring the new bottle! We are so glad because the old bottle would just make her cage a wet mess, and this one does not leak at all. I’m not sure what did the trick but she seems quite content now.
Thanks again

[Wick & Fable]

Is a bowl a possibility? Rabbits will drink more from a bowl than from a bottle because it’s less work than a bottle. A rabbit may be discouraged to drink since it takes effort to push the bearing.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Puffbaby]

I would try giving a bowl, and if you hate having to fill it 3-4times per day you can just get the water bowl with the automatic filler thing and just wash and refIL once a day. I use 4 bowls, 2 in his room and 2 in the livingroom and refIL them so much it’s ridiculous lol. Can’t wait to get the new bowls

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