providing water in the cage?

[Ashleynicole]

Now that my little wally is up and about and nibbling on things. I need to know what the best way is to provide a water source in the cage. of course I am still giving him formula every 4 hours during the day, but I am sure he needs to get used to drinking water on his own? I was thinking about a hamster water bottle with a metal spout would probably be the best? what do you guys use? :confused:

[Wonkawillie]

I have used this type of water bottle with all my babies. They are such curious critters that they chew on the metal tube, just to investigate it and Bingo! They find water. No training time required.
When i release them, I still see them return to the release cage for water from the straw! LOL But I also see them lapping the morning dew from the leaves and things.

[wheezer]

Another way to get them used to water is to put in a small shallow dish and pebbles. that way they can lap without getting their nose in it:)

[Ashleynicole]

Another way to get them used to water is to put in a small shallow dish and pebbles. that way they can lap without getting their nose in it:)

would they make a mess with a bowl though? crawling in it,tipping it over and wetting the cage, getting wet and cold?

[jo_schmoe]

would they make a mess with a bowl though? crawling in it,tipping it over and wetting the cage, getting wet and cold?

I use a water bottle in mine. I dont use anything in Judes because he is "special" and I dont want to run the risk of anything with him. I may add a water bottle for him now that he is sitting up. It took a couple of days for them to figure it out but they did. Great idea with the dish and pebbles. And yes Im sure they will make a mess....but I bet its nothing compared to the food flinging fest that goes at breakfast time here!! Now THATS a mess! But hey....theyre squirrels...and squirrels are just messy!

[wheezer]

would they make a mess with a bowl though? crawling in it,tipping it over and wetting the cage, getting wet and cold?

No, not if you use a small dish. Mine are about two to three inches wide and an inch or two high. It is sort of like lapping from a leaf:D

[mpetys]

Another way to get them used to water is to put in a small shallow dish and pebbles. that way they can lap without getting their nose in it:)

What a great idea! I might try that with formula for a little one I have right now that sometimes turns her nose up at the syringe and while she will try to lap out of bowl, she gets upset when her nose get in it. I was just putting the smallest amount and twirling the bowl around so the formula was just covering it so she could lick, but might try the pebble idea.

Michele in Tampa

P.S. Hey Wheezer!

[Ashleynicole]

I use a water bottle in mine. I dont use anything in Judes because he is "special" and I dont want to run the risk of anything with him. I may add a water bottle for him now that he is sitting up. It took a couple of days for them to figure it out but they did. Great idea with the dish and pebbles. And yes Im sure they will make a mess....but I bet its nothing compared to the food flinging fest that goes at breakfast time here!! Now THATS a mess! But hey....theyre squirrels...and squirrels are just messy!

I don't mind a dry mess. but a wet cage is messier, and wet, and cold... :D

[muffinsquirrel]

What a great idea! I might try that with formula for a little one I have right now that sometimes turns her nose up at the syringe and while she will try to lap out of bowl, she gets upset when her nose get in it. I was just putting the smallest amount and twirling the bowl around so the formula was just covering it so she could lick, but might try the pebble idea.

Michele in Tampa

P.S. Hey Wheezer!

I take a piece of whole wheat bread, put it in a shallow dish (the bread pretty much fills the entire bowl), and cover it with warm formula so that the bread gets really nice and soggy. My babies can lap at the bread and get the formula without it getting up their nose. Eventually, they will start eating the bread. Before long, they have figured out how to lap without getting a nose full!

muffinsquirrel

[Ashleynicole]

ok the water bottle is in the cage, but he has not shown any interest in it. I put the lid off of a tupperware container with a little water in it underneath it but he's still not interested. I even dipped his mouth in the water a few times :dono so hopefully he will start showing some interest in it... I really want him to start drinking on his own!

[lilidukes]

I use a water bottle in mine. I dont use anything in Judes because he is "special" and I dont want to run the risk of anything with him. I may add a water bottle for him now that he is sitting up. It took a couple of days for them to figure it out but they did. Great idea with the dish and pebbles. And yes Im sure they will make a mess....but I bet its nothing compared to the food flinging fest that goes at breakfast time here!! Now THATS a mess! But hey....theyre squirrels...and squirrels are just messy!
Have to agree on the water bottle Ella found her's on her own. And a shop vacuum is the answer for all the messy mess they leave behind. It sucks up just about anything.

[mugzeezma]

Now that my little wally is up and about and nibbling on things. I need to know what the best way is to provide a water source in the cage. of course I am still giving him formula every 4 hours during the day, but I am sure he needs to get used to drinking water on his own? I was thinking about a hamster water bottle with a metal spout would probably be the best? what do you guys use? :confused:
Water bottle. Some use a bowl. They don't drink much when they are on formula.