In the wild, hamsters drink water from lakes, rivers, ponds, etc. So, a bowl is the closest to a natural water source you can get. It simulates the way hamsters drink water in the wild. Yet, pet shops sell water bottles. So, which one is better? – A bowl or a water bottle? Can hamsters drink out of a bowl? Or can they not? Read this blog post to find out.
Can hamsters drink out of a bowl?
Yes, they can drink water from a bowl. In many ways, it is even better for hamsters than drinking from a water bottle.
Advantages of using a bowl
- For starters, a bowl simulates how hamsters drink water in the wild. In the wild, hamsters drink water by bending down and not lifting their heads as they do when they try to drink water from a water bottle.
- Many people think that using a bowl is less hygienic because the water can get infected with bacteria and other microorganisms. But that is not 100% true. Since the water bowl is comparatively smaller than a water bottle, the water in the bowl must be replaced more often. If the bowl is washed with soap every time the water is replaced, the chances of the water getting infected with harmful pathogens are very low.
- Moreover, since a water bowl holds less water, the water must be replaced more often. Therefore, your hamster can drink fresh water every day. This prevents your hamster from getting sick. Moreover, bowls are an easy and convenient way to provide water to your hamster since he can easily reach the water whenever needed.
- Bowls are very easy to clean.
- Bowls are also pretty cheap.
- Bowls have a bigger surface area than bottles. So, your hamster can drink water quickly and more efficiently from a bowl. This can help prevent dehydration, especially during the hot summer months or when your hamster is exercising.
- If you use a water bowl, it is easier to monitor how much water your hamster is drinking.
Disadvantages of using a bowl
- The biggest disadvantage of using a bowl is that it can be easily knocked over. If your hamster knocks the bowl over and spills the water when you are away, he can get dehydrated if you take too long to return home.
- Since the body of water in a bowl is entirely open, the chances of your hamster urinating or pooping in it are higher than in water bottles. The chances of food items falling from your hamster’s mouth into the water bottle are also higher (Also read: What can hamsters eat? What can hamsters not eat? ). Thus, the water in a bowl can easily get contaminated.
- If you have more than one hamster in a cage, the probability of the water getting contaminated is higher. The chances of the water bowl getting knocked over are also higher.
- If the water bowl is too big, there is a chance of your hamster falling into it and drowning in the water.
- If you have several hamsters in a cage and only one bowl, the dominant hamster could prevent the other hamsters from drinking water.
Now that we have discovered the pros and cons of using a water bowl, it’s time to do the same for a water bottle.
Can hamsters drink from a water bottle?
Yes, hamsters can drink water from a water bottle.
Working of a hamster water bottle:
A hamster bottle contains a plastic container that holds the water and a metal nozzle that dispenses the water. The nozzle contains a small ball. The ball stays at the tip of the nozzle due to its weight and gravity. Thus, it prevents water from dripping out of the water bottle. When a hamster wants to drink water from the water bottle, he pushes the ball with his tongue. This action lets the water pass through the nozzle.
When compared to drinking from a bowl, drinking from a water bottle has different advantages and disadvantages. Let’s look at these below:
Advantages of using a water bottle
- The main advantage of using a water bottle is that the water lasts longer. So you don’t have to fill it as often as a bowl. So, if you are going somewhere over the weekend, a bottle of water will be enough for your hamster (not counting the food he needs).
- Unlike a bowl, there is no risk of your hamster toppling the water bottle over and spilling the water.
- Unlike a bowl, urine, feces, and food items cannot get into the water bottle. So, the risk of the water getting contaminated is also very low.
Disadvantages of using a water bottle
- The main disadvantage of using a water bottle is that your hamster has to drink water at an uncomfortable angle.
- A water bottle is also challenging to clean, particularly the narrow nozzle, where dirt and bacteria can build up.
- If you have installed a plastic bottle in the hamster cage, your hamster can chew holes in it if it is within his reach.
- Since the water in the bottle lasts longer, you may get lazy to replace it every day. If that happens, your hamster will not get to drink fresh water daily.
- Some hamsters may not like pressing the ball to drink water from the bottle. So they may get dehydrated.
Bowl vs. Water bottle – The verdict
So, which is better? – Bowl or Water bottle? Obviously, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. So, as a pet owner, you have to decide which one suits you the best.
For example, if your hamster keeps toppling the water bowl all the time, a water bottle would be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if your hamster keeps chewing the water bottle all the time or does not want to drink water from the bottle, a water bowl would be the better choice for you. If you have more than one hamster in a cage, you can use both of these as well. So, the decision is ultimately yours.
Which water bowl should you buy for your hamster?
There are different choices if you want to buy a water bowl for your hamster – Glass, plastic, ceramic, and stainless steel. So, which one should you go for?
All of them are similar in price; none is too costly or cheap. So, not much difference there.
Plastic bowls should be avoided as hamsters can chew through plastic. So, you can go for either of the other three.
There is also a food + water bowl made of ceramic available on Amazon for the same price as a water bowl. Even though this might be the cheapest option, there is an increased risk of food items falling into the water bowl because the food and water bowls are too close to each other. So, if your hamster often spills food items, this may not be the best choice for you.
Once you have chosen the type of bowl you want to buy, you should also determine the size. If the bowl is too small, it might topple when your hamster leans against it to drink water. So, ensure the bowl is big enough for your hamster to drink comfortably.
If you place the bowl too high off the ground, your hamster won’t be able to reach it. So, place it where your hamster can easily reach it.
Also, make sure that the bowl is shallow and not deep so that your hamster doesn’t drown if he falls into it.
How to use a water bowl?
Once you’ve chosen the right bowl for your hamster, it’s important to use it correctly.
Fill the bowl with fresh, clean water and place it somewhere in the cage that’s easily accessible for your hamster.
Wash it with soap and run it under cold water every day to keep it free of bacteria and fungi.
You can also have separate bowls for food and water if your hamster has the habit of spilling food items into the water bowl.
You should also keep an eye on the amount of water your hamster drinks since it can help identify any underlying health problems. If you notice that your hamster is not drinking that much water, it could be a cause for concern (But this is not true for all types of hamsters. For example, Roborovski hamsters have evolved to survive in desert conditions, so don’t drink that much water). If your hamster suddenly stops drinking water or starts drinking less water than usual, this could also indicate a health problem, and he must be taken to a vet asap for a check-up.
What Kind of Water Is Safe For Hamsters to Drink?
Now that you have understood how to choose the right bowl for your hamster, it’s time to find out what type of water you can give your hamster. Hamsters drink about 10ml of water per 100g of body weight. So, make sure that the water is safe to drink.
Tap water is usually fine for hamsters as long as it’s been properly treated and tested. However, you should check with your local water authority to make sure that the tap water in your area is safe for consumption.
If you live in an area with hard water or are concerned about your tap water’s safety, you should buy a water filter to filter the water before drinking. Hard water poses no serious health risk for humans (Source: PubMed) other than contributing to dry skin and hair (Source: Healthline). However, the same cannot be said about hamsters. Depending on the hardness of the water, tap water can cause kidney stones and other health complications. Tap water can also contain chlorine. So, if the water in your area is too hard, it is better to filter the water before giving it to your hamster.
Bottled water is another safe choice.
