Sippy bottle or bowl?

[Vanny]

Is there any advantage to getting a sippy bottle over a bowl for water? The reason why I'm asking is I have a bowl now, and never notice my gerbils drinking from it. would they be more likely to drink from a sippy bottle? I realize this question is kinda silly, but I'm just curious.

[andreaS15]

I found none of my past gerbils ever drank from a bowl. I don't like to keep water bowls because i'm affraid the gerbils could get wet, catch a chill and get sick. It's also an awful mess with bedding all tossed into it.

I perfure the water bottle, and so do my gerbies.

[Zouave]

Do NOT use bowls. They will kick stuff in them, slip into them, etc. Bowls are not hygenic.

[dnott]

I use a sippy bottle.

[MonoOmoi]

The gerbils will drink from the bowl when they get used to it, but that can take a long time, especially since they are desert creatures originally and do not need that much water. If the water is dirty at all that might be why your gerbils don't drink it... when I use bowls I generally wash them every time I get fresh water, which is a pain because liter gets in the water so often and sometimes needs changed a few times a day. Bowls can be fine under the right circumstances but generally I would suggest a bottle, just for the convenience (and some gerbils seem to like it better).

[GusandJerry]

i agree, but bottles are also really annoying when they drain themselves through the litter! grrrrr!

[dnott]

Something that we all have to live through. Happens to me once in awhile when they want to bury the water bottle. They do make ones. I seen it in Pet Supplies Plus. One with guards in front of it. Looks cool.

[Zouave]

I have 18 gerbils in seven tanks and none of them have had waterbottle trouble. they do not leak; they just safely hang there.

[Padfoot]

I have a ladies tank, in which they decide to chew on the bottle every once in a while... that tank is the one that has most stuff inside... several boxes, wood chews.. whatever I can find to mantain them entertained and "trouble free" and still... the have broken about 2-3 bottles... I have a few spare always just thinking of them..

[jewelz1171]

I just got one of those "no leak" bottles today with two balls in the spout part that the water comes out. In this kind the spout comes straight down instead of at an angle. At first I had a problem with it leaking, but then I read the directions and it said that you need to have the water about room temperature and that it will leak until a vacuum forms in the bottle. I think that's pretty much like the other bottles...but anyways, it works great now!! Also, they have the rounded edges and they say they're chew proof...has anyone found this to be true? Just curious since we're on the subject.

[MonoOmoi]

I have a ladies tank, in which they decide to chew on the bottle every once in a while... that tank is the one that has most stuff inside... several boxes, wood chews.. whatever I can find to mantain them entertained and "trouble free" and still... the have broken about 2-3 bottles... I have a few spare always just thinking of them..

Must be something about girls! Mine do the same thing, and I've tried so many different bottles... Finally made guards for them, so that helps a little...

jewelz1171, with my gerbils there is no such thing as "chew proof" it seems... But I'm not sure I've seen the bottles you're talking about, so who knows!

[jewelz1171]

Here is a link to the bottle I mentioned...it was the only place I could find it online, but I bought it at Animal Adventure Pets here in WI. I like it a lot so far.

http://www.petluvers.com/Farnam-1.html

[Loz 882]

hi, can anyone help me? i have a sippy but it is new to their cage how do i get them to drink from it? i have a bowl of water in but i see no point as it will get stuff in and maybe tipped over thanks

[dnott]

Keep the spout a little wet. They will get the idea.

[Spatx]

I've never used a bowl because my gerbils don't use them. And also stated is the problem of bedding and general dirtying of the water.

Water bottles are the best for them. However I've gone through SO many bottles trying to find something that they will not chew! I've come home to a waterbottle with a hole through the side and a mess of soaked bedding. However luckily I found a bottle that comes with a metal chew guard and it has worked wonderfully for over 6 months.

Like dnott said.. it's easiest to get them to drink from it if you keep the tip wet. Sometimes putting water droplets on the side of the tank or cage where the bottle is will give them the idea. It's worked for me. :p

[Revenge]

even if you used the bowls they would seemed a little messed up with feces everywhere in the water

[Zouave]

NO BOWLS. Too messy.

[Revenge]

thank you zoucaz or whatever the nametag says

[optikal illushu]

i like the bottles, used them when i have my mice several yrs ago and just bought 2 (one for the hams and gerbils). i have a critter trail 2 and i keep the water bottle on the second platform so it doesnt get all over. i keep the food up there also...keeps it nice and clean...

[Revenge]

plus they store there food so you wouldn't have to forget to feed them not to mention worry about it