Water bottle or water bowl?

[MaddieRabbits]

Hi everyone! So I’m not sure if I’ve already mentioned it before on here but I actually work part time at a local pet store and it’s part of my job to give out advice on rabbits, however the other day I heard a colleague of mine recommend a water bottle to a customer as oppose to a water bowl. Obviously there isn’t anything at all wrong with this but it just got me wondering, bottle or bowl? I currently use a bowl for both my rabbits as I feel settled by the idea that they are drinking in a more natural way and they are able to drink a lot more in one go with ease as  I hate seeing rabbits at work that get irritated by water bottles and yank them with their teeth. However, I’ve always used bottles for previous rabbits and I’m sure most people don’t have time to constantly give new, fresh water to their rabbits so bottles are easier for them. I just wanted to see what everyone’s opinions were, what do you guys use and why? 

[Sirius&Luna]

Bowls are generally recommended, as they’re more natural and rabbits drink more when they have them.

I have a trio, and they have two water bowls that I refresh 2-3 times a day, I don’t think it’s especially difficult compared to bottles, since at the mimimum you should be interacting with them twice a day anyway.

They do sometimes end up with hay and poop in the bowls, which obviously I clean when I see it, but it never seems to bother them.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Bowls are also much easier to keep clean. And it’s easier to monitor how much your bun is drinking since bottles often drip.

[sarahthegemini]

I use bowls. I used bottles originally and honestly looking back, I feel terrible that they had to work so hard to get such little amounts. They definitely drink more with a bowl.

Only ‘downside’ if you can call it that, is that they need changing multiple times per day when the buns are moulting. But it only takes a few seconds so its no bother.

[MaddieRabbits]

Thanks for all your replies! I completely agree with all of you as, like I said, I give both of my rabbits water bowls as I just feel it is best for them and personally I don’t mind cleaning them out as I know they always have fresh water. It was just something I thought about after hearing my colleague recommend a bottle, as I know there is no right or wrong answer but personally I would have recommended a bowl to the customer.

[deadneonflies]

I think the bowl method is best, however, I use water bottles.  My girls tend to chase at times and knock over the water bowl too often and we have carpet, so it becomes a big problem.  

[EmeraldDove]

Hello!
My bunny started out with only a water bottle. I feel bad now, because looking back, she was SUPER frustrated with it. She would constantly be jerking on it with her teeth, and I didn’t realize at first that this was her being frustrated. I thought that it was another one of her quirks.
Thankfully I learned quickly and I bought her a heavy ceramic bowl from the salvation army for a quarter. I cleaned it up really well, and its heavy enough that she cant throw water everywhere. I usually have to clean it out two to three times a day because she gets hair or hay in it, but so far, she seems to really like it.
I did leave her old water bottle up as well, and she seems to use both the bottle and bowl interchangeably.

I actually got two more buns yesterday, and they only have bottles, so after work today I am going to buy them bowls. I will probably do the same with my current bun, and leave their water bottles as well, since that’s the only thing they had for 3 years. They can choose then whats best for them.

[Butterscotch]

Posted By deadneonflies on 9/07/2018 8:57 PM

I think the bowl method is best, however, I use water bottles.  My girls tend to chase at times and knock over the water bowl too often and we have carpet, so it becomes a big problem.  

i have the same problem! my bunnies are really active and it’s just hard to keep replenishing the water. i bought a special bottle brush so i can properly clean both the nozzle and the bottle. and they are drinking from it constantly, so they are definitely staying hydrated!

[MaddieRabbits]

I completely agree with using both at the same time as it eliminates any frustration by giving them more of an option but it also ensures that they always have clean fresh water if you’re unable to replace their water in the bowl for whatever reason. I just went out today and bought a plastic double cat dish which has little flat rubber stoppers underneath so it shouldn’t slide all over the floor.

[princessbookworm]

We use bowls primarily!

However, I do provide a glass water bottle beside their hay. Jake moults A LOT sometimes and even though I change their water every morning and night, I dont like the idea of them being stuck w only the option of bowls w floating hair until I get back from school ?

I find they use the bottle when they just want a sip after munching on some hay anyways. I like the glass ones because they are easier to clean and can be sanitized using high temps of water (unlike plastic).

[Taloan7]

I like the bowl. I use a ceramic ramekin (like you use for creme brulee) and it works really well, my buns have never spilled it. Lately my new bun has started putting vegetables in it every time he gets his greens, so I have to clean it regularly.

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