Water bottle or bowl?

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PenelopeBun

PenelopeBun

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I have been looking at different options for Penelope, and thinking of switching to a water bowl if she prefers this. What can I do to encourage her to drink from a bowl, or should I just present her with the two options (bottle or bowl) and see which one she chooses?
 
My rabbits prefer bowls and the first rabbit I had , used both bowl and bottle but he liked drinking from the bowl more.

But it all depends on what your bunny it’s used with :3
 
Bowl is a better option. But to start with, if he is used to the bottle, just put a bowl under the bottle. He'll figure it out in no time and will probably prefer the bowl. It is much easier for them and they can get more water with less effort. :)

If you are concerned about the bowl spilling, either use a heavy bowl or one that twists onto a clamp.
 
I didn’t even think about transitioning like that, my bunny used to throw her water bottle off no matter how well it was tied on, so I went straight onto using a bowl and she much prefers it.
 
I just gave Bunster both options and saw he drank from the bowl. He never touches the water bottle.. but it's there.
 
Dandi uses a water bowl and had no problems adjusting right away. She had a bottle at the breeder.....but I didn't have one when I brought her home and used a bowl. And she loves it.
 
I give my buns 2 water bottles and two bowls since one of my bunnies absolutely loves drinking from a bowl and the other one refuses I would have to say it depends on the bunny likes better so I would give your bun both options to figure out what they like.
 
Mine prefer bowls, but my dang cat kept knocking them over (bunnies are cage free, but in one room) so I got one of those pet fountains and they even love it more. I was really surprised the trickling of water didnt scare them at all. I juse have it against the wall with a cord cover and I duct tape the cord "up" and over to the outlet, so there is no way for them to chew it. So now my floor stays dry from my messy cat.p n s 4.2018.jpg
 
All of ours use bottles, but they will also drink from a bowl. Make sure you have a heavy enough crock so that it can't be tipped and spilled. Cosmo love to pick up anything he can including his treat dish, so we have a fairly heavy crock for water.
 
the only annoying thing about the bowl is Bunster manages to kick hay into it so I have to clean it very often.
 
When I brought my rabbits home, I gave them both a bottle and bowl and let them choose which they preferred.

We settled with the bowl. I got the type with a 2 L reservoir so it can't be knocked over.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
My seven are draining their water bottle 4-5x/daily. The first time I added a bowl they made soup out of the cage, but I tried again yesterday to add a bowl again to see if that would give them more options.
 
LacyH1011 said:
My seven are draining their water bottle 4-5x/daily. The first time I added a bowl they made soup out of the cage, but I tried again yesterday to add a bowl again to see if that would give them more options.
Click to expand...

Have you tried one of those bowls that twists onto a clamp (can't be spilled)?
 
Has anyone switched their bunny over to a bottle? I want Bunster to use the bottle cause the bowl is so messy and water spills
 
Rabbits prefer bowls usually but can be messy when food gets into it which is why I keep it away from hay and have the hay in one place and not scattered. With bottles, the tube needs to be regularly checked for blockages because food can build up and block the water flow.
 
lavendertealatte said:
Has anyone switched their bunny over to a bottle? I want Bunster to use the bottle cause the bowl is so messy and water spills
Click to expand...

Maybe just moving the bowl to a different location will prevent the hay from getting in it. Have you seen the bowls that twist onto a clamp? They sit a little higher and, if placed away from the hay, should stay clean.

Bottles tend to get slimy inside and are difficult to clean. They may still look clean, but that clear slime is yuck. :eek:
 
Hey Blue Eyes, I haven't seen those. I'd probably have to rinse it out every once in awhile though right? Sometimes there is no hay in Bunster's water bowl but it still seems.. dirty... probably from Bunster's face lol. Wonder how easy the clamping mechanism is.
 
Cool, never seen one like that! How often do you take it off the bars to clean it out?
 
PenelopeBun said:
I have been looking at different options for Penelope, and thinking of switching to a water bowl if she prefers this. What can I do to encourage her to drink from a bowl, or should I just present her with the two options (bottle or bowl) and see which one she chooses?
Click to expand...
 
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