Does My Hamster Know How to Drink? Do They Prefer a Bottle or Bowl?
Humans and animals alike are born with the knowledge of doing some things. However, as they grow, some of these activities are learned by observation or training. For pet rodents like hamsters, I used to wonder whether they could drink or not.
Does my hamster know how to drink? Yes, hamsters know how to drink from a bowl and bottle. If it seems to struggle to drink from a bottle, train it by applying honey at the tip. In the wild, hamsters drink from shallow parts of the lake and stream, which is why a water bowl seems more natural.
Most new hamster owners don’t know whether their pets feel comfortable using a bowl or bottle. Read on for comprehensive coverage of this topic and more.
Does My Hamster Know How to Drink?
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People and animals are born with innate behaviors which allow them to respond in a way without prior experience. Eating and drinking don’t fall in this category, and they’re typically learned or taught. Most wild animals learn survival activities by observing their older mates.
In the wild, after observation, baby hamsters learn to drink by themselves from shallow lakes and other water sources. Also, in captivity, if they’re served water in a bowl, they’ll almost instinctively know how to drink it. An adult hamster can drink up to 14ml of water a day to keep hydrated. The only time hamsters might have trouble is when drinking from a bottle.
Do I train my hamster how to drink? It depends on the source it’s supposed to drink from. If you want it to be drinking from a bottle, then it might need some training. Other than that, a hamster can comfortably drink from a bowl.
If a hamster refuses to drink water, check whether the container is flawed. If not, your pet might be ill. The wet-tail disease is symptomized by a lack of appetite for food and water. Take your pet to a vet to get it checked out before the symptoms get worse.
Do I Train My Hamster How To Drink?
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If you’re using a bottle, you’ll need to train your hamster how to drink. As said, a bottle is different from a bowl. But, you must first fill the bottle and tighten it properly to avoid wetting the hamster’s bedding. Below are the simple steps to follow in training your hamster to drink from a bottle.
- Purchase a bottle that is specific for hamsters
- Loosen the lid and immerse in hot water alongside the bottle for about two minutes
- Remove your bottle and fill it with fresh, clean water to the brim
- Strike your finger over the roller bearing and push it to see if water drops
- Append the bottle to the darkest part of the cage
- Leave it and observe whether your hamster will
Your hamster may drink from the bottle or fail to succeed at it. If it fails to draw water, it will start biting the bottle cap. Remember, we said you could coat the stem with a little honey so that they can push it from side to side. In the process of fun, your hamster will learn what to do when they want to draw water.
Do Hamsters Prefer a Water Bottle or Bowl?
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Deciding whether to introduce your hamster to a water bowl or bottle often provokes a spirited debate. Those favoring the bowl argue it feels natural for them, and the pets are satisfied. On the other hand, the water bottles keep the water clean and keep the hamsters safe.
To help you decide, below are the pros and cons of bowls and bottles.
Bottle Vs Bowl: Comparing the Pros
Bottle | Bowl |
Contamination – Fewer contaminants can get into it due to its enclosure | Clean water – Since bowls are refilled regularly, water remains fresh and clean |
More water – Carries a lot of water so hamsters can drink it anytime they want to | Easy to clean – Bowls are easier to clean than bottles |
No spillage – Hamsters cannot spill water from the bottle, so there’s no risk of spillage | Natural – Bowls are the natural hamsters drinking sources, and it’s easier for them. |
No risk of drowning – Since bottles are enclosed, pets can’t get in and drown. | Availability – A bowl is reliable unnlike a bottle, where water can sometimes get stuck. |
Bottle Vs Bowl: Comparing the Cons
Bottle | Bowl |
Stuck – The water spout often forms an air pocket making water not emerge | Spillage – If not well secured, pets will often spill water in a bowl. |
Dirty water – Because of a lack of regular refilling, water doesn’t remain fresh for consumption. | Contamination – Hamsters will often contaminate water with food and bedding. |
Awkward angle – If poorly positioned, the drinking angle remains unnatural. | Unreliable – Since they’ll often spill their water, you must be there to refill |
Loud – Some bottles spouts are noisy when the pets drink, which can be distracting | Pests – Due to the regular spillage, water can often bring pests to the cage. |
Does My Hamster Know How to Drink from a Bottle?
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Since it’s not a natural source of water for them, most hamsters must train to use a bottle. However, some more curious hamsters can learn to drink from a bottle sooner. Below are tips that can aid you while teaching your pet to drink from a bottle.
1. The bottle should be hamster size so as not to have too much vacuum pressure.
2. Must fill the bottle to the top, or no vacuum pressure will form.
3. Place the bottle mid-level for a hamster to drink more comfortably.
4. Apply honey or other sweet treats your pet likes on the sipper to get it started.
Bottles are known to malfunction, either spilling the water or holding it back. Either way, your hamster risks pet dehydration, mainly caused by insufficient water intake. Always double-check if the bottle is functioning before leaving your pet for some time.
FAQ
Pet owners often wonder what their pets are capable of and what they’re not. In the case of the hamster’s ability to drink, pet owners have may have many questions. Below I’ve got some of these questions answered.
Does My Hamster Know How to Drink from a Bowl?
Bowls resemble the natural way hamsters drink in the wild, and it’s easy for them. Hamsters are capable of drinking from a bowl without requiring too much training. However, their bowls shouldn’t be too large, or the rodents risk drowning.
Why Won’t My Hamster Drink His Water?
There are many reasons a hamster may refuse to drink water when provided. If they dislike the source, either a bottle or bowl, they might refuse to drink from it. Also, the pet might be sick, which you can confirm through other symptoms, like hair loss and reduced appetite.
Outro
Water is an important nutrient for the health of both humans and animals. Learning to drink is sometimes self-taught, but some pets might require training, especially drinking from new sources. Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition leading to constipation and kidney problems.
Pet hamsters know how to drink water from a bowl, but may require training to drink from a bottle. However, if they’re unfamiliar with a source, train it, and it will learn and be comfortable. There are many reasons to choose a bowl over a bottle and vice versa, but choose the one your pet likes most.