New water bottle and he does NOT like it

[Samicles]

So Nimmy’s water bottle kept leaking, a LOT. And it’s been a while so I decided to buy him a new one. It’s a different kind of bottle. He originally had the classic bottle spout, but now he’s upgraded to the “sippy spout” (look here if you’re not sure: http://www.therabbithouse.com/equipment/rabbit-water.asp ) I’m really happy with the new bottle, glad that it won’t leak at all and it’s quiet 

But Nimmy’s had it for two days now and he hasn’t touched it. (I also have a bowl of water in his cage, so he has access to water.) But I read the instructions on the bottle on how to teach your rabbit to use the bottle. There’s quite a learning curve. The instructions said to use your finger to guide the rabbit to the nozzle to encourage him to use it. But every time I do that he’s just licking my finger and doesn’t pay attention to the water bottle at all.

Any other advice?? I set up his old water bottle in his cage for today cause I won’t be home for a few more hours (the bowl he has isn’t very deep so I don’t rely on it). 

[Jadeo09]

Putting something tasty to lick off that’s safe for rabbits on the rest he will soon know how to use it.
What’s his favourite treat smear it on while he’s looking.
If its in the same place as the last one it will remind him
Good luck

[Jadeo09]

Don’t give up sippys are brilliant

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Have you tried a bowl? They prefer bowls and are by far easier to clean!

[Jadeo09]

Mine gets mould for under her chin when I give mine a bowl she had to go on antibiotics.

[Samicles]

Yes he has a bowl, it’s attached to the side of the cage. But since it’s a fairly shallow bowl, it doesn’t hold enough water to put my mind at ease. So I like to have a bowl and a water bottle, cause he’ll drink out of the bowl first, when that’s empty he’ll move on to the water bottle. 

[Jadeo09]

AW you sound like your doing great. Keep holding it out for him.
You could try a little dab of blackcurrant ribena on the tip?
Or banana

[Jadeo09]

Or apple

[Kbana]

I have a replendish water bowl. The kind with the reservoir that holds extra water. I can fill it and it lasts three days. I then clean it out and refill it. I have no issues with mildew and it is very easy to clean. I started using it because I didn’t like the bottles and I was worried that AL would finish his water while I was at work when I was using a smaller bowl.

http://www.amazon.com/Petmate-Replenish-Waterer-Microban-1-Gallon/dp/B0057LAH6O/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1443336830&sr=1-2&keywords=petmate+replendish

[Samicles]

Oh I would love to get one of those replenish-able water bowls but 1. I’m really broke right now so all spending has been reserved for necessities. 2. Nimmy is a very messy rabbit. He likes to dig his litter out of the box, throw his hay, he somehow gets poop in his food bowl, and he likes throwing things, so I feel like that bowl would be a disaster. The one I’m currently using is attached to the bars of his cage. I still need to teach him how to use the new water bottle. He’s being pretty stuck up about it. But I feel like he’ll get the hang of it eventually

[Jadeo09]

He will get used to the sippy my bun loves hers try holding the bottle in front of her and pushing on the nib with your finger he may recognise the sound plus see the water and try herself?

[Author]

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