The concerns I have heard about the bottles are mostly that they can clog or leak, either one leading to thirsty and possible dangerously dehydrated bunnies.  Also since a bunny has to work less to drink from a crock than from a bottle they tend to drink more that way which is ALWAYS good.  And finally there are some buns who just can’t get the hang of working a bottle.

I actually use one of those flow-fresh water fountains with the filter in it.  Since I often have odd schedules or have to leave Pepper for a weekend, this way I know she will always have access to fresh clean water.

Great question.

I also have both.    I have heard the bunnies drink more water from a crock which helps keep calcium levels down.  (and this is especially important for bunnies who seem to have an inherited issue with calcium buildup)

I think both can have positives and negatives.  

My opinion on crocks:
Positive: Drinks more water.  Quick and easy to clean
Negatives:  Even with heavy crocks that don’t get tipped over, bunnies have a talent for getting all kinds of things in them, like hay and poop, and even part of a blanket that will soak up the water.  

Water Bottles:
Positive: Good for insuring enough water is available at all times.  Keeps water free of debris.
Negative: Harder to clean.  Can clog, and seal wears out over time. Noisy if nearby during human sleeping time!

And bacteria can actually grow in either.  It’s all about cleanliness.  I think the reason that bacteria may be thought to grow in water bottles vs crocks, is because water bottles can be harder to clean out.   Some suggest to clean water bottles daily.  But I think most people change it when it gets low, after a couple of days or so. (depends on how much greens are incorporated into the diet – they are higher in water content) .  I mean I think that is how they were meant to be used.   So I do not know really if harmful bacteria grows in just a few days.  (another thing for me to double check on, and if anyone else knows facts about this – please share)   

But if the water bottle sits there for days on end because a bunny gets lots of greens, then I could see how bacteria could start to grow, and actually how the water could get a little stale, which would not encourage drinking.

I just discovered something w(this is sort of off the subject, but it’s about water)   Since we hadn’t gotten a water filter yet put on the new kitchen sink, we bought bottled water, and I filled up their bottles and crocks with that.  They drank so much water, I couldn’t believe it.  At first I thought it was just the stress of moving, and they were dehydrated, and when I changed from bottled water to regular water, they went back to their normal habits.  But then to test out if it was the water, I offered bottled water again, and sure enough, the drinking parade began.  

Either they are picky bunnies, or I am worried about the water we drink here in the Bay Area (even when using a sink filter) Can the bunnies smell something funky/harmful in the water….hmmmmmmmmmm.

my kids prefer bottled water too! it’s not just you BinkyBunny. I used to use bowls, but Dori and Viktor both like to do paper mache and drop toys into the water bowl. So they all on bottle now. But – Heather (director of Rabbit Haven) told me that you should buy new bottles about every six months because of the bacteria and such.

I had also just gotten information about changing bottles every year, but that was regarding the fact that the seals wear out, so I can understand though that doing it every six months to make sure it is bacteria free.

Does that mean that no matter how well you clean them, that bacteria will still settle into the cracks and/or plastic?  

I wrote a message on Etherbun, and basically got messages about just refilling everyday with clean water-  Out of curiosity, i would like to know how quickly harmful bacteria grows.  That might be a question for someone who is in the science field.  

honestly i have no idea, next time i see Heather I’ll ask her about the bacteria and the need to replace bottles

Oh my gosh, I never thought about water bottles and bacteria……I guess I will buy Noble a new water bottle for Christmas…..

Hi everybody,

as an environmental engineering student i touched opon the formation of bacteria with regards to human drinking water. Most of my notes are number based and would give most people a hernia (including myself) just by looking at them.

I used this site as a helpful beginner to my course which breaks everything down into easy understandable terms. Whilst it isnt specific to rabbits it does comment on water bottles and gives an indication on the bacteria which may or may not be found on your little ones bottle or crock.

http://www.edstrom.com/Update.cfm?doc_id=333.

If any of you are particularly worried I would be happy to source you an answer and who knows i might even be able to squeeze an essay out as part of my end of year report.

Also binky with regards to your question about how fast does it take harmful bacteria to grow? it really depends on the species of bacteria. Each bacteria needs certain parameters in order for it to grow, ranging from light, temperature, and the chemical build up of what ever its living in.

I will try and research what the most common types of  bacteria found in tap water since that what most of us seem to water our rabbits with( although it will probably only relate to the UK) .

Although like you all say if you change water daily and clean yyour bottle and crock regularly there is nothing to be worried about.

hope that helps.

That was an interesting article! I skimmed through it quickly and will go back to read it more thorougly, but I actually found it fascinating.    I sure will be washing my water bottle more often.   I do wish they covered the feeder bottles for rabbits, as those bottles won’t put food particles back into the bottle – oooorrrr….will they – maybe they would just float up?  No. hmmm.   So if a bunny eats, then goes to the bottle, and small particles of the food get stuck back up in the nozzle – then that is one way way where bacteria could grow faster.  

If you end up doing a paper on this, I think it would be beneficial to the public, as I can’t seem to find that much information as I search the net.  Just basic general info without any explanations, and when I ask around, people just repeat what they hear – again very general – not much explanation.

So thanks again!!!!!