- home
- Housing
31.03.2018
Hamsters are very active domestic rodents. Due to their activity, furry animals drink a lot of water, so every caring owner should think about purchasing a good drinking bowl. Stores offer a huge selection of sippy cups, so how to choose a decent option? A water bowl for a hamster is inexpensive, but any investment should be justified. Before purchasing, you should understand what types of drinking bowls there are, find out their advantages and disadvantages, as well as features of use.
Types of drinking bowls: advantages, disadvantages, features
Nipple
The most convenient and common option. This is a small container equipped with a straw. There is a nipple installed inside the tube - a special ball on a spring. The structure is suspended from the bars of the cage. When the animal is thirsty, it approaches the drinking bowl and presses the ball with its tongue. The nipple is triggered and a small portion of liquid enters the mouth.
Advantages:
- nipple sippy cup saves space in the cage;
- it is easy to use;
- safe for the hamster;
- Only clean water comes from the container, without plaque or rust.
It is difficult to train a hamster to be independent, especially to press the ball. The main drawback appears - not every animal will like a nipple drinker.
From a whole bottle
A simple and economical version of a drinking bowl for a hamster. The design consists of a plastic or glass bottle and a straw for juice. The device is suspended inside the cage, or on the back side. The animal has access to fresh and clean water at any time.
Advantages:
- production does not require special skills and knowledge;
- the bottle is easy to wash and clean;
- dust and dirt do not get into the container;
- The animal is healthy and feels great.
As in the previous form, there is a key drawback - the hamster must learn to use such a drinker.
From a cut bottle
This type of drinker involves trimming the bottom of the bottle. The structure is suspended from the cage bars from the reverse side. The tube is inserted between the rods inside the house. The device operates on the principle of drinking from a single bottle.
Advantages:
- simple production requiring a minimum amount of materials;
- water is easy to change;
- the animal will not be injured by the cut edges of the bottle.
The disadvantages are that it is difficult to train the rodent, and the device is not hygienic. Dust and particles of room cleaning substances will enter the liquid. There is a risk of pet poisoning.
Sippy cup from a pet store
Purchased containers will last much longer, unlike homemade ones. The cost of nipple sippy cups ranges from 100 to 250 rubles. Automatic accessories are more expensive - from 250 to 700 rubles. There are branded models whose price is more than 1,000 rubles.
A significant disadvantage of a sippy cup from a pet store is that it is defective. Every third person buys a low-quality product. An additional disadvantage of purchased products is the refusal of sellers to accept the goods back. For example, if the sippy cup is damaged or does not fit in size.
Important! Before purchasing a sippy cup, the integrity or performance of the sippy cup is carefully inspected. For example, with nipple or automatic accessories, water supply mechanisms often refuse to function. The body must not have chips or cracks.
Did you make your pet’s sippy cup yourself or bought a ready-made one at the store?
Floor drinking bowls
Place in a cage on the floor or stand. The drinking bowls look like a deep, heavy bowl. The hamster gets 24/7 access to water. The bowl is easy to wash and the water can be changed quickly.
The main disadvantages of the floor product are instability and constant water pollution. The person spends a lot of time cleaning the cage, and the hamster drank only fresh water that was safe for the body.
Drinking bowl with pocket
This design consists of a water container and a lid with a pocket spout. The hamster drinks only water that accumulates in its pocket. The water supply in the tank always remains clean. A drinking bowl is installed in the cage. Has the following advantages:
- hygienic;
- easy to use;
- reliable and durable;
- It is difficult for a hamster to spill water from the drinking bowl.
The disadvantage of a drinking bowl is that the liquid in the pocket gets quickly contaminated. Rodents throw sawdust into the drinking container during active play. If you do not clean the spout in a timely manner, the animal will be left without anything to drink.
Vacuum drinking bowl for hamster
Installed in a cage. Looks like a bird's cup. The container is placed in a deep bowl. Water comes in small portions. Hamsters quickly get used to the design due to its ease of use. The accessible drinking part rarely becomes dirty.
The disadvantage of a vacuum drinker is the material used. Animals easily chew through soft plastic.
Automatic sippy cups
They are divided into two types - ball and nipple. Flasks are made of plastic or glass. There is a tube at the end of the container. The drinking bowl is attached to the outside of the cage and works on the principle of a washstand. The design is disassembled and easy to clean.
The main disadvantages of an automatic device are defects and the need to teach the hamster to use the spout.
Sippy cup or saucer?
A bowl is the most economical and budget option. Its cost is low and mainly depends on the material used. The advantage is simplicity. The bowl is easy to clean, it will not turn out to be defective, it allows you to feed the hamster without a drinker and can be placed in any part of the cage. But in this case, you will have to clean his home more. The water in the saucer quickly becomes dirty, sawdust, wool and food get into it. Animals, due to their activity, often knock over the bowl, and water pours into the filler. In addition to frequent cleaning, this can lead to colds, therefore, this option is dangerous.
On the shelves of pet stores you can find bowls with attachments to the walls of the cage. Despite the fact that the saucer is not located next to the filler and does not stand on the bottom, the water in it just as quickly gets dirty and spills out.
A hanging automatic drinker is a closed bottle; its contents cannot be knocked over or littered. The water is dosed, there is no need to change it and check it several times a day; it is much more convenient for a hamster to drink from a sippy cup.
The sippy cup has a complete advantage over the saucer. But if you do not have the opportunity to purchase it at the moment, place a heavy bowl in the shape of a cylinder. It won't tip over as often as a regular saucer, but the water will still need to be changed several times a day.
How to accustom a hamster to a drinking bowl?
The first way is to purchase a sippy cup along with the cage. The pet will carefully examine the new house and will definitely notice the bright fixture. Curiosity will allow the hamster to learn to drink on its own.
The second way is to help the hamster if a new device is purchased to replace the old one. The animal will not immediately figure out how to use the new design. It is enough to bring the animal to the drinking bowl and lightly poke its muzzle into the ball. Repeat this procedure until he understands the principle of operation of the sippy cup and begins to drink water on his own.
Advice! There is a third, easiest way to accustom an animal to a drinking bowl. The spout of the device is coated with tasty and aromatic food. A curious hamster will definitely come to try the treat. The water supply mechanism and the animal's instincts will work. After a few minutes, the rodent will actively drink water.
Why doesn't my hamster drink from the water bowl?
Each hamster's body has its own characteristics. If an animal finds itself in a new place, it becomes stressed. It is recommended to leave your pet alone for several days. Some animals are active in the dark and drink at night. It is better for the owner to see in the morning how much the water level has changed.
Attention! Often the pet refuses to drink due to illness or illness. You should immediately contact your veterinarian.
Why does a ferret need a hammock?
Beginning ferret breeders are often surprised to learn that their pet needs a hammock, and not an ordinary bed, for a comfortable existence and sweet sleep.
Animals can sleep in boxes, on pillows, in their house, and even crawling into a warm sock or felt boot, but only a hammock allows a ferret to feel completely safe. This is due to the fact that wild relatives of domesticated ferrets always choose secluded dark places to sleep - under a stump, in dense bushes, or dig holes. Soft earth or grass perfectly takes the shape of the animal’s body, and it feels protected both from enemies and from bad weather.
Domestic ferrets living in an apartment do not have the opportunity to dig a hole for themselves, and the presence of a sleeping place, the same as dry leaves or grass, makes the pet happy - he sleeps well, so he plays and “hunts” with great pleasure.
How to make a water bowl for a hamster with your own hands - step-by-step instructions
Materials and tools for making drinking bowls
It’s easy to make a drinking bowl yourself from scrap materials. The following tools and cheap raw materials can be found in every home:
- knife or hacksaw for metal;
- awl, hammer and nails;
- marker, ballpoint pen;
- plastic bottle 0.5 l;
- a metal ball from a bearing, the diameter of which does not exceed the size of the handle body;
- spring from automatic handle;
- rope or wire;
- electrical tape, super glue.
Attention! Disinfect the elements of the future structure. Then rinse under running warm water and dry well.
Nipple drinker made from a fountain pen
Made from a solid plastic bottle, a ballpoint pen body, and a metal ball. Instructions:
- place the ball in the handle, holding it in a vertical position. The element should freely descend to the narrow side of the body;
- mark the place where the ball is stuck. Cut off this part so that the element peeks out a little;
- Lightly press the ball with a spring and secure it with a lollipop stick or a wooden wedge. The metal button should be easy to press;
- make a hole in the bottle for the finished tube;
- Place the dispenser into the hole. Seal the connection or wrap it with electrical tape.
The drinking bowl is ready. All that remains is to hang the product with the tube down at such a height that the hamster can easily reach it.
From a whole plastic bottle with a straw
Step-by-step instruction:
- make a hole in the bottle cap with an awl or nail;
- cut off half the straw;
- insert the tube into the hole in the lid so that the bend and corrugation remain outside;
- cover with glue or wrap with electrical tape the place where the straw and the lid are fixed.
The drinking bowl is ready. All that remains is to screw the cap on the bottle. Hang the structure and secure it to the cage with the straw down.
Don't be afraid to set up your rodent's cage yourself
As you can see, making a drinking bowl is not difficult; you don’t need any special tools or skills to do the job. Don't stop there - create other items the animal needs. For example, you can make a wide variety of toys for your hamster with your own hands: hanging bridges made of wood, dolls made of fabric, halves of walnut shells strung on a rope to grind down the claws and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Don’t be afraid to show your own imagination and get creative, creating things that will decorate your hamster’s life and allow you to take care of the animal.
How to make a water bowl for a hamster with your own hands - video
Assembly from a baby bottle
You will need a lid for the container and a small piece of hose. Take the lid and punch a hole in it. Insert the hose. Fill the bottle with water and screw on the cap. The main thing is to make sure that the liquid does not drip in a vertical position.
Making a flat drinker
This sippy cup is equipped with one or more straws, depending on the number of pets living in one cage. Manufacturing stages:
- make markings in the shape of a rectangle. The bottle must be in a horizontal position;
- cut out the excess part;
- make holes on the side;
- insert the tubes into the holes so that the bend and corrugation are on the outside.
The sippy cup is ready. All that remains is to fill the container with water through the rectangular top and secure it to the cage.
How to install (attach) a water bowl for a hamster in a cage?
Double-sided hooks, office clips, and stands made of a thick plastic cup will help secure the water container. It is important to make sure that the drinking bowl is securely hung or installed, and that the straw is easy for the hamster to reach.
What are they?
Drinkers that are used for hamsters at home can be internal or external. They differ in the method of attachment, that is, they can be located inside or outside the cage. In the second case, it turns out to save space inside the pet’s habitat, this is especially true when the home is not too large.
There are many factors to consider when selecting. This is primarily size, convenience, reliability, and method of fastening.
You should also pay attention to stability, safety for the pet, as well as the aesthetic appearance of the structure.
You can also classify devices by design type. They can be suspended or floor-mounted.
As for floor options, they are placed inside the cage. The bowl should have enough weight so that a mobile pet cannot turn it over.
However, it is necessary to take into account the following: since water is in the public domain, it becomes contaminated quite quickly, and it is still possible to accidentally knock it over.
Hanging structures can be secured inside or outside the cage. The container can be open, but closed options are still the most popular. There are vacuum designs that include a container standing on a wide tray with high sides, from which water flows. Not everyone likes this option, since the liquid gets dirty quite quickly and you need to wash the entire device to clean it. Since such drinkers are most often made of soft materials (like plastic), hamsters often chew them.
Nipple drinkers for pets include a flask from which water flows through a tube ending with a locking mechanism. The hamster gets liquid by pressing its tongue on the latch, and the animal will have to get used to this. There are also ball mechanisms that operate in a similar way to the previous one.
Such options are used especially often, because the water remains clean and does not spill throughout the cage.
Some owners choose bottle drinkers with a reservoir. Water slowly flows out of the container into a small depression. These drinkers are most often used by bird owners, but hamsters can also use them. However, with this choice, you need to take into account that the water will also be open and the structure will have to be washed and cleaned frequently.
