Hamster Water Bottle Leaking? Here is how to fix
It’s no secret that hamsters are picky about their water. They like it clean and clear, and taste-free. This is why they don’t like using their food dish as their water dish, necessitating the use of water bottles. These pets also won’t appreciate water accumulating in their cages due to leakages.
So, how do you fix a hamster water bottle leaking? The first step is to determine where the leakage is coming from. Find out if it’s the cap or the body of the bottle. Once you have identified the main culprit, you can replace it, repair or install it correctly. If neither piece is damaged and the leakage continues, it’s time to get a new water bottle.
This write-up will examine how you can tell your hamster’s water bottle is leaking. By the end of the article, you will also be able to repair or fix any leaking bottles. So, shall we get started?
Hamster Water Bottle Leaking? Here is How to Tell
![Hamster Water Bottle Leaking](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Hamster-Water-Bottle-Leaking-1.jpg)
Before getting to the fixing stage, you must know the main culprit causing the leaks. You should also deduce if your bottle actually has leakages. There are a few ways to tell that your water bottle is leaking. Below we answer the questions, why is my hamster water bottle leaking? And how do I tell if my water bottle has leakages?
1. Water in the Cage
Before you conclude that your water bottle is the main culprit, conduct your research. Check to see whether there is any other source for the unexplainable water in the pet’s cage.
Water in your pet’s cage is catastrophic. It can lead to diseases and drowning. According to one research, 99% of rodents living in dirty and clogged cages were found to have increased growth of pathologies. It’s also the cause for the rodents’ sleeping habit change.
2. Cap Doesn’t Fit Properly
The reason for this is simple: The threads on the top of the plastic cap are not big enough to allow the cork to fit snugly.
Once your pet begins to drink water from the bottle, it can pull the loose cap, leading to leakages.
3. Cracks and Holes in the Bottle
Cracks are usually caused by poor handling of the bottle.
Holes can result from anything that punctures the plastic. Rodents love chewing plastics, and this can damage your bottle. Gnawing helps file their ever-growing incisors. Hamsters have sharp teeth which can chew plastics, wood, and brittle materials.
4. Unexplainable Frequent Refills
When your hamster is constantly getting refills of its water bottle, you know something is up.
You probably know how much water your pet consumes daily. If water consumption increases drastically in a few days, there’s a leakage.
If you return from your workplace to find an unusual empty water bottle, it might be time to start paying attention. The last thing you want to worry about is your hamster running out of water while you are away at work.
5. Missing Rubber Gasket
You will see a rubber ring when you open your pet’s bottle. The ring is known as a rubber gasket. It keeps air from getting inside the bottle. It also prevents leakages and ensures water stays inside the bottle even when placed upside down.
You will have leaks if the part is torn, cut, missing, or improperly installed.
6. Displaced Metal Bearing
Your hamster bottle has a metal ball inside the drinking tube. This spherical bearing is used to prevent water from leaking. Since it is made of heavy metal, it automatically drops to the end of the water tube, creating a tight vacuum seal.
Water will come from the tube once your pet licks the metal bearing. By licking it, it displaces it up the tube, allowing water to flow to its mouth. If the bearing gets stuck up the tube, there will be leaks. The tube won’t be vacuum sealed, and you will notice a stream of water dropping.
7. Water on Top of Other Objects
If you find water on top of other objects in your pet cage, this could be a sign that there are holes on the sides of your pet’s watering hole. The leak may have occurred when your pet was drinking, so check to ascertain whether it’s a leak.
How Do I Stop My Hamster Water Bottle From Leaking?
![How Do I Stop My Hamster Water Bottle From Leaking](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/How-do-I-stop-my-hamster-water-bottle-from-leaking.jpg)
The first step to stopping leaks is to identify the culprit. By now, you should have known it from the section above. Whatever the reason, you can take steps to ensure that your hamster water bottle doesn’t leak all over the carpet. They include the following:
1. Tighten the Lead
First, you must ensure that the threads on your hamster water bottle are aligned. Look for the “O” shape of the cap. Ensure it fits snugly into the grooves on the bottom of your water bottle. If it doesn’t fit, you can use a cloth or plastic paper to make it fit.
Wrap a piece of plastic paper or a cloth on the sides of your cap. Note that you are only wrapping the sides. If you wrap the top part, water won’t flow to the water tube as the plastic bag is waterproof.
2. Repair Cracks and Holes
If you see any cracks or holes in your hamster water bottle, you should repair them as soon as possible. This is because if the crack or hole gets bigger.
Here are a few things to try:
- Cracks can be fixed with a little bit of glue. You can use glue sticks or super glue. Just make sure that you don’t use too much, though. Too much glue won’t dry in time to fix the holes and cracks.
- If there are larger holes in your water bottle, you can use duct tape or rubber cement to glue them shut.
- Minor cracks in your water bottle can be fixed by hot water. Fill it with hot water and let it sit overnight.
- Use a heat gun to weld the cracks.
Don’t forget to confirm whether the cracks have been fixed after you are done with any of the steps.
3. Shake the Bottle
If the water bottle metal bearing has been displaced by dirt, you can fix this with a little shake. The shake will remove the bits preventing the metal ball from being in its place.
Shaking will also return the ball to its original place if it gets stuck up the tube due to friction. Be sure to empty the water bottle before shaking it to prevent water spills.
4. Install the Rubber Gasket Properly
Start by opening the cup. Empty the bottle and remove the rubber ring. Check to see whether any dirt prevents the rubber from sitting in its place. Clean it and install the gasket correctly.
When installed properly, the rubber sits at the bottom of the bottle opening horizontally with no curves. You can test whether you have installed the gasket correctly by applying pressure to the bottle’s neck. If there are no spills, you are good to go.
Can You Fix a Leaky Hamster Water Bottle or Buy New One?
![Can You Fix a Leaky Hamster Water Bottle or Buy New One](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Can-You-Fix-a-Leaky-Hamster-Water-Bottle-or-Buy-New-One.jpg)
If you have tried all the methods of fixing it, but it is still leaking, then that means something else is wrong with your water bottle. You might want to return it to the store where you bought it if it’s still under warranty.
You should buy a new bottle in the following circumstances:
- If it has big holes and cracks that cannot be permanently fixed
- The bottle has damaged parts that cannot be replaced, for instance, a damaged metal ball
- Buying spare parts is costly or almost the same as buying a new bottle
If your bottle has damaged parts that can be sourced online at a cheaper price, do not buy a new one. You will save costs by just replacing the damaged part.
FAQs
Here are answers to some of the additional questions you might have.
Are water bottles better than water bowls?
Yes, they are. Water bottles are sealed and do not allow any debris to contaminate their contents. On the other hand, water bowls have an open mouth and are prone to contamination.
Your hamster could also drown in them if the bowls are deep enough. Most of the water bowls are made of plastic. They can be chewed by hamsters leading to health problems such as constipation, blocked digestive tract, inflammation and eventually death. Plastic ingestion can also cause reproduction dysfunction in rodents.
How often should I monitor my hamster’s water bottle?
Check on your hamster’s water bottle at least once a day. The more frequently you check on the bottle, the better. You will be able to notice leakages if you check on them frequently.
While monitoring the water bottle, fill it with fresh water daily. Hamsters hydrated with fresh water daily have a lower chance of getting sick.
What should I do to prevent future water bottle leakages?
Start by purchasing a high-quality bottle. Consider quality over price when doing your shopping.
To increase the lifespan of your bottle, clean it regularly and replace any worn-out accessories immediately. You should also hang it in a stable place that’s out of reach of your hamster. The only thing that should be accessible by your pet is the water tube. The rest of the body should be out of reach. This will ensure your hamster doesn’t damage the bottle’s body with its paws or strong teeth.
Conclusion
Fixing a leaking bottle is that simple! You only need to identify the source of the leakage. Once you have found it, apply the remedies explained in this article. You could glue cracks, install all the parts properly or replace malfunctioning components. A simple cleaning procedure can also fix a leaking bottle.
If you have followed all the remedies and the bottle is still leaking, it’s time to purchase a new one. Ensure you purchase a high-quality bottle made with durable materials to avoid leakages.